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you've got a while now before you worry ;)
Jaidan did baby sign and didn't really talk until he was 2.5, he had a couple of words before then but that's when it all clicked. He understood everything I was saying, so I knew it wasn't hearing or smarts. He's fine now at 6.
The 'normal' range is 6 words aside from mum and dad, that YOU can understand. Does he say anything at all?
I've only had a quick skim of the replies, so sorry if my reply is a bit off track.
I just wanted to say that his gesturing isn't a bad thing.. and I personally wouldn't be discouraging it. If you read up on baby sign language and the benefits of it, you might find it a great way to help him start communicating. And it's shown to actually help them verbalise sooner. I found it really interesting how it aids the process.
I signed with both my kids.. they both signed back from about 12 months old.. and they both had a verbal word explosion around 19 or 20 months and it just went great guns from there. I wasn't concerned up to that point because we were already communicating.
Anyway, I just wanted to mention about the sign language. I don't know anything much about when delay becomes a concern, but it looks like you've received some great advice :)
I'm glad to see you've got your referral in. Hopefully the wait is not too long xx
The government has set up a program called the 'enhanced primary care plan'. It allows you to recieve a Medicare rebate for up to 5 allied health sessions (speech pathology, occupational therapy, physio, etc) per year. The rebate is roughly 50 bucks. Technically it is supposed to be for children who require multiple services however I have seen it been given to children who just need one service. It is organised through your GP so it's worth asking them about it, if they won't don't it it's worth trying another GP.
Yep i've used the care plan myself, its a really good scheme. Especially considering we've hit the safety net, so it costs next to nothing with the rebate.
I will ring around the private speech pathologists and see how much they charge and which ones will liase with the gp to organise the care plan, i know its a bit of paperwork.
Still haven't heard boo from the public place, so a few weeks ago we booked in with a private speech therapist. His first appointment is this thursday.
In the past few weeks though he has started to come out with a range of sounds, like "ayayayayayay" and "mumumumyyyymmmuuyyyy". We also notice he is more vocal when DS1 is not here which is rare so wonderinf if that is a reason too.
I have no idea what to expect and wondering how its going to work because the only time he sits still is in the pram and thats if its moving! so i don't know how shes going to help, but i guess thats what they are trained in.
I don't think they will refer to a speechie until they are over 3 years of age - at least that is my experience with children at work.
I have a very good information sheet about speech development and what to expect at work, if you are interested, let me know and I will bring it home tomorrow and copy for you!
Edit: Oops just realised this is an older thread, pays to read before you type - but I can still find that info if you like!
ausgirl, I'd like that info anyway. I'm a little concerned that Sam still just babbles and has no words when other kids his age seem to be able to already speak.
Matryoshka, I hope the private place can give you some ideas and a direction on where to go.
BW
Matryoshka, our experience of speech therapy has been the therapist saying 'hey let's play!' And they play games together so the speechie can gauge where bub is at. They will try to engineer situations where bub has to talk. They'll ask you a bit where bub is at too, what they say and what they struggle with. And then you'll get homework, ideas on how to encourage bub to talk, similarly to how they do, through play and things. Like, ours suggested putting their favourite toy in a clear tupperware container (or other container that they can't open) so that they're forced to use words to ask for it. Or modelling behaviour for them, perhaps with family friends, so they can see what they're supposed to to, and then giving them a turn. Or playing games where they need to talk, or sabotaging their play (like stealing something they need so they have to ask for it).
All the best tomorrow! I spend most of the time sitting in a chair and observing, picking up tips to use at home. xo
Butterfly, I will try and remember to get it tomorrow!
I have a link to a couple of different fact sheets if anyone is interested, pm me and I will send them to you.
Butterfly I have already pmd them to you.
Mine too ;):
Hope it went well xx