Speech Delay and Schooling

My daughter is turning 3 this weekend, she will be going to Kindy next year just before she turns 4 which is a few days a week then Pre-school the following year at almost 5 (full time), starting Year 1 at almost 6 in 2016.

She has a significant speech delay in the realms of 12months+ atributed to a condition known as vocal dyspraxia or speech dyspraxia, it doesn't seem to extend to any other oral function or other aspects of her motor ability thankfully. She currently has the vocabulary of a 18month-2yr old but the comprehension of a 4-5yr old, she is very perceptive if I'm allowed to brag for a moment lol. She will have no problem starting as the above timeline except I am stressing about her ability to communicate. She can talk to me, her step-dad, her speech therapist, her bio-dad, her grandparents... anyone who knows her well or knows signing basically. She has 100s of signs and now probably 50 words although many are distorted (she had less than 5 words when we began 6months ago). But then we get to a play centre or playgroup or go to the park and she is telling other kids all about her new red shoes and they obviously have no idea what she is on about. She seems to get along fine playing with other kids but mostly those older than her as they then become the dominating vocal part of the encounter and she can follow along. It does make me a little sad, I can see at times it frustrates her because it seems they aren't listening to her when really they just can't understand. So we have 12months till Kindy and I am hopeful, we are making progress and her bio-dad who suffered similar was basically resolved by age 6 so I'm holding onto that. We are focusing on the most important things she will need to communicate in a Kindy setting - needing the toilet for example - and I'm confident she will know enough to get by... but that is the crutch isn't it - 'get by'. I worry how she will go making friends or trying to communicate something abstract without me there to help interpret but I know I can't be there forever, she has to figure it out on her own too. I'm trying not to be such a hellicopter parent at the park etc which DD2 is helping me with haha and I can see she works out fine when I'm not right there explaining her signs and sounds... but it is hard stepping back, knowing her full potential is being stunted by this one aspect. I'm currently at least trying to find a Kindy with those in charge having some idea of signing which should ease my concerns somewhat.

Has anyone else been through this? And what if it doesn't get better, can I really send her to Kindy with only 50 words? I know 12months is a long time and if she continues on even this current progression she should be at the vocal ability of a 3yr old at least which would be completely acceptable for Kindy which is only a few days a week essentially... I really do not want to hold her back because she is so smart and ready. She can count, she already recognizes the letters in her name, she is doing puzzles on her own that have 40 pieces, can follow complex insturctions, put her own shoes on :( I guess this is part vent because it is hard at times where her verbal ability is causing so much trouble for her mental ability. She is a tiny thing too (genetics) with not much hair so many are surprised to hear she is actually 3 and not much younger.

Did anyone increase to 2 sessions of therapy a week with more success? It is expensive ($83 each time with very little back from Medicare and a bit from our Health Fund each year) but if it will help we will find a way to have that money, I'm going to be bringing it up with her speechie today. I can't imagine it would hurt, I obviously don't want to push her but on the days we don't go she is always asking about "Sylvie" and when she gets to go 'play' again. She really loves it and is at that point now where she wants to try and copy words which she wasn't too keen on 6months ago. Her confidence in attempting has improved so much. It seems the right time to strike while she is so into it.

Just finding it hard with no-one who really understands :( I even still feel odd posting in this section but I mean I have to start admiting she does have special needs...

:hug: I just wanted to give you one of these.

There is a boy in prep with DS this year, and apparently he is nearly 6, and only started talking last year. I think he has other (different) issues than your DD though, his is a behavioural thing as well. But, he does play well with the other kids, even though he doesn't talk as well as the rest of them.

Maybe a play date is in order, DD1 will be going to Kindy next year, and we are taking her to get assessed for her behavioural stuff on the 27th.

I think she will be fine, my DS (3 in 3 weeks) has been slow to talk, me has been assesed as having a 6-8 month delay. He has been in a daycare centre for the last year, 3 days per week. AFAI can tell, the junior kindy he is in now is "proper" junior kindy, they teach colors, counting, songs etc, the day has structure (story time/song time/game time) and when he goes into the next room, next year, the centre is an accredited kinder program. The only issue my DS has is being properly understood by some members of staff, especially if he is trying to comunicate something out of the ordinary. They seen to work well enough around it though, he is happy and has lots of friends.
I think your DD will be fine, she is bright (like my DS) and they learn to work around thier limitations. A year is also an awfully long time for a little ones development to come along too.
GL xx