[deedee1231]

I posted a while back about my daughter Penelope having a hard time learning her letters and letter sounds. Penelope is six now and she is still struggling with letter sounds and I am beginning to realize that her difficulty is stemming from the fact that she has a speech problem.

My other three have not had this so I have no experience with it at all. Really, I sort of thought it was cute when she was little but it is beginning to become a problem for her and I am not sure how to approach it. She cannot pronounce l or r, but it is more than that. There are several words she pronounces oddly and honestly a lot of people we see throughout our day (people in the store or the park--basically people who do not know her) can not understand her and I often find myself "translating" what she has said. For example, she will say she wants a "swink" instead of a drink. Lots of words she just plain says wrong. Also, she consistently says "her" where it would be more appropriate to say "she" even though I have been actively trying to correct mistakes like those for at least a year and a half. Is that related to a speech concern?

Does anyone have any experience with this? I know that public schools offer speech therapy but she is home schooled. Is there a speech curriculum out there that might help? Any suggestions would be very welcome and appreciated! Thanks.

[twinzplus3]

Honestly, you haven't said anything that makes me think that she's an automatic for speech therapy. With that said, I'd still ask her pediatrician about it. Your pedi can get you a referral to a speech therapist. Once you have an initial diagnosis or a professional saying that she does in fact need speech therapy--you can get it through the school.

If she really does need speech therapy, and it's not just an issue of her maturing more slowly. . .you really need to partner with a speech therapist and not go it alone.

[deedee1231]

Thanks for your response . If it is just an issue of her maturing more slowly, how would you determine that? What would you look for to tell you that she will most likely grow out of it and/or what would you look for to determine that it might be something that would require speech therapy? I hope I am not being too demanding, I just know from your other posts and blogs that you are a certified elementary teacher, so I am just wondering if you would know specifically what would be looked at as a concern? I am more than willing to let her progress at her own pace, but at the same time I would intervene if intervention is necessary.

We just moved out of state last month and my husbands new insurance hasn't kicked in yet (we haven't even gotten the paperwork yet--very annoyed about that) so it might be a little bit before I can ask a pediatrician. Government jobs--go figure .

[ahermitt]

I have a friend whose son suddenly started pronouncing things wrong. She didn't realize it because she was deaf (she spoke perfectly normally). I mentioned to her that his speech as off, and wouldn't you know it, he needed a tube in his ears as he had draining problems. He was speaking better in weeks. If that is not the problem, it could just be something he will grow out of. When he told my daughters first grade teacher that we planned to homeschool her, all of a sudden she started pushing me to have her enrolled in the schools speech program (a way to keep more money in the school). My daughters "baby accent" had never bothered her before. My daughter had what we called the wa-wahs as many letters came out sounding like W's. Her brother just two years older than her decided to fix it and corrected her whenever she misprounounced something wrong for about a year. The problem gradually disappeared. Some schools in some states will offer homeschoolers free services for such things, but it causes more problems than it fixes. If you do need a speech therapist, your doctor may have some low cost connections.

[twinzplus3]

Andrea--I would say approach the schools cautiously but I have to say for all of NYC's faults and broken systems there are several people within our church who have gotten speech therapy through the school system and it has been a really positive experience. Now perhaps this has something to do that we're so highly regulated anyways there's not much else they can do to us? I don't know. . .but I wouldn't make the blanket statement that it causes more problems to go to the schools. (But deedee certainly be aware that it can.)

As far as your question deedee--I'm not actually certified believe it or not. I've just been teaching, tutoring and working with inner city kids for a long time. I'm a couple classes short of having the teaching degree. . . one of which is that stupid child abuse class they make you take. . .but anyways. . .

This is a pedi question. My son, who is 7, still has the "wah-wahs". . . In the meantime before insurance kicks in, I'd just model correct speech for her and leave it alone. But a pedi would be able to determine whether or not tubes are needed (which is a good possibility--I didn't even think of that) and should have information on issues.

In general, when there's a lack of progression for a year or more--it's a problem. But mispronunciations can last past 8 years old. So when you get to interviewing pedis--I'd ask about their thoughts on speech. I personally am more comfortable with someone who wants a "wait and see" approach who is willing and/or encouraging for you to document what you're hearing and noticing. (Yes--I actually think speech therapy is highly overrated--generally useful when there are physical deformities. Don't shoot me.)

[ahermitt]

I meant to say that they "MAY cause more problems", but apparently typed what I was really thinking based on my own experiences. Whoopsie!

[twinzplus3]

Well, you're right. I don't generally recommend that homeschoolers go seek the board of ed for help. But it seems that at least here (and of course that could very well mean just here) it's pretty hassle free and well worth it. (Go figure--I can't say the same for anything else here.)

[Samual]

My sister started speech therapy when she was 7, I don't mean anything horrible saying this but it's the only way I can describe it, but she had a voice typical of someone with mid range cerebral palsy. She had it with a speech therapist and at school with a little group who were all having speech therapy. She speaks totally 'normal' now, she was really hard to understand before even we struggled to understand her. Not being able to pronounce R is quite common, I mean shes only six, alot of children don't become clearer until a bit older. You could always take her to the doctor as peace of mind though incase she needs a little help with her ears.

[rachbear]

I have been a speech therapist in the school system for the part 7 years. In our state (TN) homeschooled students zoned to a particular school are eligible for speech services. From your description, I think it would be wise to get a referral from a doctor. In addition, I would visit the school and see if you can speak with the speech therapist on duty. Many times an SLP can sit down and just speak with the child for a few minutes and give you some very helpful recommendations. Be sure and ask her specifically about things you can do with her at home - whether you are teaching, playing, riding in the car, etc.. My most successful students were those that practiced the things I taught them outside the therapy room.

[QueenAngie]

Welcome to the board, Rachbear!

Appreciate your sharing your work experiences as a speech therapist w/ us!

Through the local school district, the speech evaluation and any further treatment is free. No change.

If your insurance has not kicked in yet, what about going to a free local clinic? That could get your DD started.