Speech Issues in an Almost 6 year old

[Anonymous]

My soon to be 6 dd has some speech issues, that for me, are hard to categorize. I think they involve some slow processing issues and some issues around formation of novel language.

She was an early talker has a great vocabulary and wonderful articulation, but has trouble having conversations -- can really no to the volley back and forth that other kids her age have moved onto ...... she relies alot on the q and a format.

My question is, is this a speech therapy thing. Can someone actually teach her -- is it a working memory thing? A processing thing? No one has been able to tell me. I did get advice from one speech therapist who said to prep her constantly, model language and give her scripts to use. But how do you give someone scripts to use in school and playing?

We do not have her in speech but I'm considering it. Would love any input about various issues this might be and helpful techniques.

[Anonymous]

It could be auditory processing issues. Your best bet is to pay for a private full speech evaluation.

[Anonymous]

OP here again. I did have a full speech evaluation, as well an auditory processing evaluation, and she has confirmed AP issues. But speech therapists are not big believers in listening therapies advocated by the audiologists. So I haven't gone down that road yet. THoughts?

[Anonymous]

Sounds a bit like my daughter; she has a mild auditory processing disorer and a mixed expressive/receptive language disorder. As well as problems with pragmatics.

Diagnosed through a private speech assessment

[Anonymous]

Interesting, I was told by mulitple professionals that testing for auditory processing is not reliable until age 7 or 8 because of the type of testing involved and the reponse and understanding of the child that is needed.

I wouldn't choose to not pursue using a software based program personally but would at least try it and see what if any gains can be made.

[Anonymous]

For the poster who has a similar daughter, what is your treatment plan? And for the next poster, what are the software based programs available?

[Anonymous]

I have a 7 yo DS with ADHD and an expressive/receptive speech delay. He was tested for an APD at age 5 (yes, it can be done that early) and he definitely does not have APD. We've also had extensive testing done in research studies with NIMH, developmental pediatrician, OT and ST. We did ST for about 8 months with a really great therapist who thought DS's problems were related to poor executive functioning and not a speech/communication disorder. His process speed is slower and he sort of gets left behind in conversations. The exercises she was having him do were recommended by a PP (modeling, exercises, scripts, etc.). She took another job out of the area and rather than continue with ST, she suggested we work with a tutor. DS is a slow reader (again, the processing speed thing) and the exercises/work we were doing to improve that were pretty much the same things we were doing in ST. Because of the executive functioning/processing speed issue, DS needs a lot of repetition before things really sink into his brain and become automatic. His processing speed and communication have improved with age and intervention but it's been really slow going. Unfortunately, I don't think there's much more we could do.

[Anonymous]

Have you had her evaluated for Aspergers? I don't know if she has any other issues but the back and forth of convsation is precisely the sort of thing kids with AS have trouble with. Regardless, this is a speech therapy thing, its a problem with pragmatics, which is a language deficit, and can be treated. I would avoid passive programs like listening programs and go with a speech therapist who works with kids on pragmatics.

[Anonymous]

" listening therapies"

"software based program"

PPs, could you elaborate on the above? my son's the same (can't do volley convsation) but it's mostly because we're not native English speakers so he has no one to model after. i'm curious if these could help.

[Anonymous]

I too have a 6yo DD with mixed receptive/expressive language disorder (diagnosed by Children's; we had suspected Asperger's but neuropsych doesn't believe DD is on the spectrum).

Her private speech therapy involves story telling and retelling, descriptions, and word finding. She recently started group therapy with another little girl.

At public school, she receives speech, OT, and social skills services, all based on the reports from private speech therapist, neuropsych eval, and developmental ped. eval.

[Anonymous]

what public school district?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I too have a 6yo DD with mixed receptive/expressive language disorder (diagnosed by Children's; we had suspected Asperger's but neuropsych doesn't believe DD is on the spectrum).

Her private speech therapy involves story telling and retelling, descriptions, and word finding. She recently started group therapy with another little girl.

At public school, she receives speech, OT, and social skills services, all based on the reports from private speech therapist, neuropsych eval, and developmental ped. eval.

Hi there, I don't know where you are doing private therapy, but I have an almost 6 year old DD who is in an amazing social group with two other girls at Building Blocks. They share the issues that you described. One of the girls is leaving at the end of August (moving abroad) and we're looking for another to join. If you are interested I can give you the contact information for the group leader. The leader is amazing.

[Anonymous]

OP, did the speech therapist perform the Gilliam's test on your daughter? She sounds just like my daughter who has an (very mild, IMO) Asperger's diagnosis. The key to the diagnosis was both the slow processing and the very distinct annunciation. Does she have any trouble asking for things or for help from teachers? Just might be something to think about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, did the speech therapist perform the Gilliam's test on your daughter? She sounds just like my daughter who has an (very mild, IMO) Asperger's diagnosis. The key to the diagnosis was both the slow processing and the very distinct annunciation. Does she have any trouble asking for things or for help from teachers? Just might be something to think about.

Hi there, I am not sure about this. I would have to go back and check. But I have considered aspergers myself but sort of don't know exactly where to go for an evaluation. She's had a dev ped evaluation and it didn't come up. But my dd also was a very early reader (before she was 4). I never knew that the precise pronunciation was associated with Aspergers. Is your DD in a DC public School?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, did the speech therapist perform the Gilliam's test on your daughter? She sounds just like my daughter who has an (very mild, IMO) Asperger's diagnosis. The key to the diagnosis was both the slow processing and the very distinct annunciation. Does she have any trouble asking for things or for help from teachers? Just might be something to think about.

Can these speech issues be a sign of Asperger's? My DD sounds very similar but Asperger's wasn't mentioned at the KKI visit.
My DD isn't particularly precocious and didn't read early, doesn't have fixations so I assumed she didn't meet the criteria.