9 y.o. Boy with Speech/language Impairement,oral Language Skills at Age 7,

I wasn't going to respond because I don't have any advice really, but I just wanted to say I feel for what you are going through. I have a three year old who still can't say many words clearly, and it is very frustrating. She goes to a preschool that deals with speech issues. I wish you good luck is finding some help.

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Dear L.,

I'm not really sure why I am writing, your letter kind of tugged at my heartstrings, but I haven't experience with this kind of child, so take this with a grain of salt.

If you're not already doing so, I would do memory games with him. One that comes to mind is putting a bunch of small items on a tray and having him (and friends) study the tray for a minute or more, then take it away and leave them to recall what was on the tray. Either individually or as a group have them write down the objects on the tray. Then bring the tray back and see how they did.

Another kid's game might help, though it is difficult for kids without learning disabilities-- it used the alphabet as an aid to a complex set of memory words. Each person had to recite each of the last person's words plus add his own. It went something like Ann came from Alabama, she liked apples and apes. (So NAME, PLACE, FRUIT, ANIMAL all beginning with the letter A, then the next person recites the A's information and adds his own B information, etc.)

One could try things like the Mad Lib books which have one add in detail words into an unseen story then read them back for the humour. Just getting into details and seeing how they change the text might help your son be interested in them and so pay more attention.

You could also create verbal games between you in doing chores, etc. Make it fun for you both to add a lot of description to whatever you are doing. Then see who can add and remember more of the words. So, for example, you say-- John, the fluffy, white, heated laundry is on the big, round, wooden, elevated table. Now he has to repeat this (or the description words back). Or he says the fat, scruffy, mean little dog wants to go outside. Then you have to repeat it back and add some other words like "yappy, or mischievous". My examples sound rather boring, but I'm sure you could add some fun ones to perk interest and humour.

If it helps, there have been many people with severe disabilities who overcame them to become great-- Helen Keller's story comes to mind, but also Teddy Roosevelt who was paralyzed and President, or even Pope JPII who struggled against a devastatingly debilitating disease for 20-years in the limelight of the press before dying of it. Winston Churchhill actually flunked English due to some sort of learning barrier, but became an amazing orator during his time during WWII leadership. One just doesn't realize how much one can overcome, or that disabilities often cause us to build up compensatory abilities to an amazing degree. So have cheer, with love, tutoring and support, your son can have a happy, successful, rewarding and meaningful life.

God Bless,
S.

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Hi L.,

My son who is now 15 has learning disabilities. He too needs more time to process information and to give an answer. He has poor short and long term memory so repitition is the key. Because your son has difficulty with receptive and expressive language he may have a difficult time with math also because you need the language skills to comprehend math. Does your son have an IEP in place? If not I would talk to his teacher about that. An IEP is good because it shows where your son is, what the goals are for your son and how they are going to help your son achieve those goals. If you have any more questions please let me know. My son has an IEP in place and they reevaluate him yearly to see what his needs are. He has come so far. I am proud to say he will be going to a technical high school next year. : )

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Hi L.,

I would highly recommend reading "The Gift of Dyslexia" by Ronald D. Davis. When we were going through not knowing what was causing our son's difficulties, that book explained SO much! There is a broad umbrella of diagnoses that fall under dyslexia - and auditory processing can be part of it.

We spent several years having our son tested for various learning disabilities, but once I found this book, it answered what none of the professionals could see.

You could probably find it at your local library...

Best of luck,

K.

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Hi L. - My sister is a PhD in Education and an SAU Special Ed Director. She'd be happy to consult... If you'd like her information, please email me privately and I'll hook you up.

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Hi, I just wondered if you have looked into having him tested for auditory processing disorder (also called central auditory processing disorder -CAPD). I don't have any personal experience with this with my own kids, but I am an audiologist and used to do testing for central auditory processing disorders. We no longer do that testing as it is not typically covered by insurance, and as far as I know, there are not too many places that do the testing (at least in Maine, where I live). There are many different types of CAPD, but kids often struggle in school and have increased difficulty understanding when there is a lot of background noise, etc. Often treatment for it has to do with making specific accommodations in the classroom environment. Sometimes the use of an FM system in school is helpful. An FM system is where the teacher where a microphone so his/her voice is either amplified through speakers so the whole class is hearing her voice better above the noise of the classroom or sent directly to receivers that a specific child wears on his/her ears (kind of like hearing aids). I would ask your speech pathologist about it and find out where that sort of testing can be done. Also, of course you can google to get more info about it.

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It sounds like you need to really re-visit his IEP and get him extra help asap.., there is a book:
The Complete IEP Guide: How to Advocate for Your Special Ed Child

He needs extra, he should be getting this all around..get yourself ready and go and work to get him what he needs. A tutor..you should be able to get assistance for the $$ and school over the summer..I am sur ehti sis hard on him too..everyone wants to be understood.

Good Luck!!

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i would ask for a child developmental evaluation from a developmental pediatrician. Your pediatrician can give you a referral. I'm not sure where you live, but I can give you names in NH. They will write a report with recommendations and they might recommended more ST each week or have other ideas that the school can use. Then you take that report to the school and demand more services.

In addition you can ask for a referral for private ST. Your insurance will pay for a few sessions, usually about 20. At that time the private ST can give you ideas and techniques that you can use at home after the insurance stops paying for the services. This referral should also come from your pediatrician.

I would recommend doing both. Good Luck!

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Did you ask for a core evaluation at the school? that would bring extra help good luck

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Hi L.,

Belinda is right. If your son isn't on an IEP, you should start thinking about it. If he is, call an IEP meeting and try to get more speech therapy. You should also ask for a full evaluation if he hasn't already had one. If he has, and it was over a year ago, consider asking for a re-evaluation. Don't let the school tell you they don't have to do one until 3 years has passed. Three years is the minimum time allowed between evaluations. Once they do the evaluation, if you don't agree with it you can ask for an independent evaluation. This is an evaluation done by a place that you choose and the school can either agree to pay for it or offer the sliding scale fee. There are a couple of good websites you should check out for more information.

www.wrightslaw.com was created by special education lawyers and deals with federal special ed laws.

www.fcsn.org is the Federation for Children with Special Needs located in Boston.

www.concordspedpac.com (or .org) was created by the special ed PAC in Concord, MA and has a lot of great info.

www.mothersfromhell2.org is a nationwide internet support organization.

Good luck!

C.

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Hi,

You should make sure that the goals on his IEP are matching his needs. Also that the bench marks to achieve thoe goals are concrete. If he is going to be entering the 3rd grade it sounds like he may start falling behind in his academics. You should ask the school for academic support provided by special ed staff. He can receive it either in class or out depending on his needs.

I'm not sure if anyone told you and schools usually don't. They are not allowed to make a diagnoses. May times schools need to see outside evaluations before they are willing to give more services. Either, speech, auditory processing or a nuerophsych. You can try to get your health insurance to pay for either all or most of it.

marries SAHM with 3 kids with learning disabilities.

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I would take your son to have an independent evaluation with a good neuropsychologist and maybe also a private SLP. Sometimes insurance covers this - if they don't, you can request this (independent educational evaluation) from the school by telling them that you disagree with their reports/recommendations. You get to pick the evaluator and everything, you don't have to let the school pick. I am not sure who the good evaluators are for your son's age/disability but I would go online to Yahoo groups and join SpedWatchMA (make sure it's the new one, SpedWatchMA, not just SpedWatch, as the group split recently and the one with MA at the end is more helpful), they are all amazing parents of kids with various learning disabilities and could direct you to good evaluators easily.
M.

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What type of evaluation have you had for him? Does he have a diagnosis? Does he have an IEP for Special Education? You (unfortunately) have to fight for everything with the schools. If he has been in the school district for 3 years now it is almost time for a reevaluation. In New Hampshire there is a great organization called the Parent Information Center, they are located in Concord, but they have a website www.picnh.org. They can give other advice. I don't know what you have presented to the school. You are an important part of you child's education and you have a right at any time to let them know what you are thinking. Always put it in writing. If you want to answer some of my questions to me privately that is fine too, ____@____.com. I am a mom of 2 special needs and one typical child. My oldest son and my youngest daughter have IEP's, not for the same problem but I can help try to help with info on how to get what your son needs.

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Hi L.,
I am a Speech Language Pathologist... I'd be happy to help with specific questions you have. Also, have you thought about a private SLP?
Talk soon,
L.

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If you need some support or resources go to the Framingham SPecial Education Parent Advisory Council at www.f-sepac.org to find lists of resources and support groups. Best of luck.

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His re-evaluation should have included an evaluation of his achievement in all academics as well as a cognitive evaluation to measure his IQ and his processing ability to ensure it met the criteria for a multi-disciplinary evaluation. If this did not happen you have the right to call for another PPT and request additional evaluations.

I am a former special education teacher, and have served as an adminstrator. I now am contracted to work for the CT State Dept. of Education as a surrogate parent for DCF children who are referred for, or already identified as in need of, special education. I would be happy to look over any IEPs you have from the previous meetings and advise youhow to proceed. That is my role as a surrogate parent - to advocate for children so that they get the services they need.

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L.,
A receptive and expressive language disability can affect learning in many areas, but just keep meeting with the speech language teachers/special ed team chairperson, ask questions about reports and his program. Make sure he is receiving services; maybe even some in summer (extended year services), at least while he is young. (In a few years, he won't want it and it shouldn't be pushed on him.) Be careful not to put too much emphasis on the issue. You don't want him to think there's something wrong with him, because there's not; it's just one characteristic some of us have. Don't talk about him with teachers when he is listening, unless he is directly included in a respectful way. Keep it matter of fact. Try not to get into the whole comparing game with other parents. Just love him the way he is. He will have other wonderful qualities; not everyone has strong academic ability and it's really ok. Read to him yourself frequently, actually daily, and allow him to answer for himself in social situations, even if it takes him longer than most and he stumbles some. Don't apologize to others about it, so he will know he is great, just the way he is.
Schools really will be trying to help your son. It can be very frustrating and hard for a parent, I'm sure. Keep on top of it, but also understand that if he struggles with schoolwork, etc., it is the disability, not necessarily the school or the teachers. I am a 7th grade special ed teacher and I see many, many hard working teachers do whatever they possibly can to help students with all sorts of disabilities, including exercising great patience, creativity, always gaining more knowledge about education, and giving a lot of extra time to students.
I'm also an experienced mother of three grown children who do not have learning disabilities, but who have had other challenges along the way. At the time, these seemed much more important to me than they do now. Just do what you can, but put it into perspective and enjoy life with your son along the way...REALLY, REALLY enjoy and appreciate what you have.

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My 7 year old son sounds a lot like your son. He has a signifigant receptive and expressive language delay. Does your son have an IEP? Perhaps the school can increase his Speech sessions. My son's IEP specifies that he is "not timed" on his in class work. Of course he has to finish what he is working on - but he is allowed the extra time he needs to process it.

Good luck and get your school involved.

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He should be recieving other services for reading at school for learning diabilities. But you can help by reading and discussing the stories with him daily. He will catch up later on like about sixth grade.

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