re: Speech Therapy Recommendation

Look into Early Steps to see if he qualifies. It did wonders for our little one and at no cost since it’s through the LA Dept of Health.

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See if you can get an early steps evaluation.

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Early Steps is so broke and overwhelmed, I’d hope OP wouldn’t bother them with a toddler who justvdoesnt like to talk much.

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Early Steps is so broke and overwhelmed, I’d hope OP wouldn’t bother them with a toddler who justvdoesnt like to talk much.

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There are listening and recognition things that can be done even if he’s not talking that are part of speech therapy.

As for it being broke, what’s your source? Our son has been out of it for a few years but back then it was great. It can’t hurt to apply.

ETA: I am assuming there is some underlying disorder with the OP’s son, but yeah, if he’s just not talking yet I don’t know that he’s even qualify.

In BR? NYC? Hard to help without details

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Does anyone know a grad student or upper level speech student that would possibly be interested in working with my 18 month old son? He is borderline so insurance won’t cover a true therapist appointment. Just trying to get him headed in the right direction. Thanks in advance.

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He is on waiting list at LSU, hoping for the fall. He is a little young and borderline in need so we aren’t in a huge bind, just looking to get him started in the right direction.

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His pediatrician referred him for an evaluation. The therapist there did some communication type games to gage comprehension and verbalization. He is fine on comprehension just what they consider borderline on the verbalizing. We think he is just kinda stubborn but would like to get him the assistance if truly needed.

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I believe the original referral was due to a standard # of words they are supposed to say by a certain age. We had an evaluation completed and he is borderline. We we going to put him in therapy but insurance won’t cover it. Sessions out of pocket are $80/ each. We are on the waitlist at LSU and it is 2X a week for only $285/semester so that will be where we end up, just trying to get him started in the right direction. We live close to campus so we’re just kinda looking at maybe getting a student to “babysit” and work with him a little at the same time until LSU happens.

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i'm not saying there isn't a problem. i do think you're overreacting at 430am.

I'm pretty sure it would be unethical for a student clinician to provide private services.

While you're on a waiting list perhaps the clinic might have a list of suggested things you can do at home? Games and things that encourage language development.

Maybe a retired speech pathologist whose license is still current could do something. That wouldn't be unethical. (I'm a retired speech pathologist, but I let my license lapse a few years ago.)

Are you in baton rouge? My wife graduated their program, worked at early steps, and worked in a private practice. She now has her own business and sees a couple of clients while our two year old is in daycare. This would be right up her wheelhouse if we lived in BR.

If you are just looking for some reassurance/peace of mind, I'll ask if she can recommend someone, but from a neutral observer i think it would go like this: they would come in for a eval session, say he is fine, give you some exercises to do with him (even if he is going to sessions you should do this anyway), and then schedule another evaluation later if he isn't making progress.

Edit: wife says if insurance won't cover you won't qualify for early steps, although it's been 7ish years since she worked there. She suggested Excellence in Speech Pathology, bosses are Joy Pennington and Nicole Guest. Wife used to work for both and they are great.

What’s the harm in someone “unlicensed” providing some verbal coaching or whatever they do. It’s not like he’s an unlicensed surgeon

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If he isn't stimulable for the phonemes
p,I,I,h, and B by 24 months...

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My youngest just started speech therapy a couple of weeks ago. He turned 2 this month. Doesn't say much at all, if anything, honestly. He definitely hears and understands what's being asked of him most of the time. The therapist says he certainly comprehends a lot more than his speech would imply. We figure a lot of it has to do with having two older siblings who do most of the talking around him. He's figured out that a point and grunt will get him what he wants, most of the time. We just have to work on curbing that.

That said, I'm not overly worried. Both of his siblings are reading/writing/speaking at gifted levels for their ages and I'm a j-school grad, so there's no lack of verbal expression around the house. He'll pick it up when he's ready to. It's interesting because the therapist said they look for a 2-year-old to use between 50-100 words.

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. Doesn't say much at all, if anything, honestly. He definitely hears and understands what's being asked of him most of the time. The therapist says he certainly comprehends a lot more than his speech would imply. We figure a lot of it has to do with having two older siblings who do most of the talking around him. He's figured out that a point and grunt will get him what he wants, most of the time.

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That's how one of the twins are. One speaks a bunch and the other knows what's going on but doesn't talk. Knows how to do all of the puzzles and challenges the therapists puts in front of him.