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SPEECH
May 12, 2008 22:37:08 GMT
Post by maz500 on May 12, 2008 22:37:08 GMT
Hi Everyone
Hope you are all well. Just a quick question for those of you with children of a similar age to Cai (he's just turned 4).
Although very vocal and expressive, Cai still has very little speech. He uses makaton to communicate, along with his own little gestures and believe me it's very possible to have little arguments with him.
So far he says: 'mumma' , 'ga ga' - daddy, 'bye', 'eh yeh' - his brother Evan
Don't get me wrong we are immensely proud of him but I think the thought of him starting full time school in September is scaring me a little.
Our speech therapist (who does very little) tells me it will come. However, I'm sure that's not a given and I think she's wrong to tell me that.
Cai tries so hard to copy my sounds/words but they are just not there. His little sister copies everything I say and it's really highlighted what a struggle it is for him.
How are your little ones getting on? What advice, if any, have you been given, expectations etc?
Thanks for listening - much longer post than I intended. x
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SPEECH
May 13, 2008 6:13:38 GMT
Post by lisajg on May 13, 2008 6:13:38 GMT
Hi there, Harrison has just turned 4 too and he has very little speech. He can make lots of sounds like 'g' 'k' which come from the back of the throat and also 'oo' 'ee' etc but he struggles with sounds which are made with his lips because his muscle tone has always been really poor. We go to a privately run speech group which was set up by some parents because he doesn't see the nhs speech therapist very often + the private group is run by Symbol who specialise in helping children with ds. We do lots of face exercises to try and help improve Harry's muscle tone but I know it will be a long process for him, he has glue ear too which doesn't help. Some of the other children in the speech group who are Harry's age have pretty good speech but it's quite varied. Cai sounds like he is doing great with his signing and it's great that he can say a few words.
Does Cai have a statement as he will be starting school soon? If he needs more speech therapy then they should put that in his statement, Harrison's therapist from Symbol is suggesting weekly therapy - not sure we will get that but I'm going to try and push for it.
Good luck for Cai starting school in September.
Love Lisa & Harrison xxxx
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SPEECH
May 13, 2008 6:20:05 GMT
Post by pinkshell1110 on May 13, 2008 6:20:05 GMT
hi maz, i feel exactly the same about charlie, charlis is 4 and at nursery, starting school in september. he says a few words we know what they are but the school dont understand him, he signs fantastically. the school say he makes no attempt to speak at all, ,we dont have a speech therapist cos there aren't any free !!!!!!!!!! i i was told speech usually comes between the ages of 4-6 ? the only advice i have been given is to make lots of regular sounds to him, like mum,dad, dog ,cat etc and to make sure he expresses himself as often as possible with music, instruments. sorry i cant help more,i think we are all in the same position, there are a few going to school, lots of love shell,charlie and jasmin xxxxx
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SPEECH
May 13, 2008 21:38:21 GMT
Post by maz500 on May 13, 2008 21:38:21 GMT
Thanks Ladies,
I should know by now not to worry myself over these things but sometimes I just can't help it.
Speech therapy is such a postcode lottery. If anything he is getting more input at school now but I am the main source of therapy for him.
We do all the usual things you've talked about, including specific exercises with his lips, licking, blowing, sucking etc. He is very keen to communicate and I'm sure this can only be a positive. However, I can't help wishing others could understand him as much as we do.
I am waiting for our proposed statement any day now. I have requested a place at a resourced nursery in our town (not the same school as his brother unfortunately - but they would never have coped). Fingers crossed!!
Take Care, thx for listening.
m x
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