Best tools to help two-year-old with communication problems

[Anonymous]

Our two-year-old daughter just babbles (no speaking), and a therapist-administered test shows that her communication skills are on par with those of a one-year-old. So, we are working with her at home on speaking and language, getting her a speech therapist and into a playgroup. According to the test, our daughter's cognitive development is "normal." But, for obvious reasons, I'm concerned about a link between delayed communication and intelligence.

Our daughter recently had ear tubes inserted because she had mild hearing loss associated with inner-ear fluid. Could mild hearing loss cause her communication skills to be delayed by a whole year?

For those with kids who have had significant communication issues (our daughter has expressive and receptive problems), what methods helped your child's skills improve? Also, have you noticed whether the communication issues are linked to an intellectual delay or other issue?

I've spoken with audiologists, therapists, an ENT, and her regular pediatricians, but no one seems able and/or willing to firmly answer some of these basic questions.

Thanks in advance for any help. I also posted this message in the General Parenting forum, but have received no responses.

[Anonymous]

James D. MacDonald's Communicating partners website is a good place to start.

http://jamesdmacdonald.org/Articles/MacDonaldStart.html

Also, try the Hanen books:

http://www.hanen.org/CMSPages/PortalTemplate.aspx?aliaspath=%2fHome

For some perspective, read Dr. Stephen Camarata's book on Late Talking Children: Symptom or a Stage

https://www.amazon.com/Late-Talking-Children-Symptom-Stage-Press/dp/0262027798?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0

[Anonymous]

Read this http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/AAC/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Read this http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/AAC/

But honestly the best thing to do is get a competent speech therapist and develop a plan together asap -- whatever tools or things you are doing at home need to complement what she/he is doing in therapy.

[Anonymous]

Introduce her to sources of alternative communication. This includes picture symbols, word boards, sign language, speech generating programs on ipads (you can start with the Talking Tom app). DO NOT believe the old saw that alternative communication will inhibit speech -- the opposite is true -- communication induces speech.

[Anonymous]

Also, it is very possible for her speech to be significantly delayed due to her ear tube issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Introduce her to sources of alternative communication. This includes picture symbols, word boards, sign language, speech generating programs on ipads (you can start with the Talking Tom app). DO NOT believe the old saw that alternative communication will inhibit speech -- the opposite is true -- communication induces speech.

I wholeheartedly agree. I know how frustrating this is going to sound, but it's too early to predict what your DD's trajectory will be. Now that her hearing issues are being addressed, she might make quick gains. Or, there may be something else going on - that was the case for us. It's took early to tell where your DD will land but, in the meantime, introduce her to alternate communication. If/when her speech comes in, she'll drop the other methods.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Introduce her to sources of alternative communication. This includes picture symbols, word boards, sign language, speech generating programs on ipads (you can start with the Talking Tom app). DO NOT believe the old saw that alternative communication will inhibit speech -- the opposite is true -- communication induces speech.

Alternative communication devices are for kids who can't or won't speak. There's no evidence that an iPad will stimulate a two year old's speech. A two year old doesn't need an iPad. Speech therapy, socialization time with other peers, and time is what she needs.

OP, speech delays aren't an indicator of intelligence. They do make your kid more likely to have language based learning issues; something to be aware of down the line.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Introduce her to sources of alternative communication. This includes picture symbols, word boards, sign language, speech generating programs on ipads (you can start with the Talking Tom app). DO NOT believe the old saw that alternative communication will inhibit speech -- the opposite is true -- communication induces speech.

Alternative communication devices are for kids who can't or won't speak. There's no evidence that an iPad will stimulate a two year old's speech. A two year old doesn't need an iPad. Speech therapy, socialization time with other peers, and time is what she needs.

OP, speech delays aren't an indicator of intelligence. They do make your kid more likely to have language based learning issues; something to be aware of down the line.

Actually there is research that indicates very clearly that AAC strategies, including speech generating programs on iPads, increase verbal language in kids who are capable of verbal speech. They give kids an chance to learn how communication works, to experiment with words, and to hear consistent modeling from the device.

Also, many kids benefit from AAC strategies even after their verbal speech starts to develop. AAC supports receptive language, and allows kids with speech or language delays to express a wider array of things than they may be able to express with just spoken words.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Introduce her to sources of alternative communication. This includes picture symbols, word boards, sign language, speech generating programs on ipads (you can start with the Talking Tom app). DO NOT believe the old saw that alternative communication will inhibit speech -- the opposite is true -- communication induces speech.

Alternative communication devices are for kids who can't or won't speak. There's no evidence that an iPad will stimulate a two year old's speech. A two year old doesn't need an iPad. Speech therapy, socialization time with other peers, and time is what she needs.

OP, speech delays aren't an indicator of intelligence. They do make your kid more likely to have language based learning issues; something to be aware of down the line.

Actually there is research that indicates very clearly that AAC strategies, including speech generating programs on iPads, increase verbal language in kids who are capable of verbal speech. They give kids an chance to learn how communication works, to experiment with words, and to hear consistent modeling from the device.

Also, many kids benefit from AAC strategies even after their verbal speech starts to develop. AAC supports receptive language, and allows kids with speech or language delays to express a wider array of things than they may be able to express with just spoken words.

Research conducted with two year olds and iPads? Please cite the source.

For children with complex issues like autism, CP, ID, yes, an iPad can be helpful:
http://www.aac-rerc.com/index.php/projects/show/id/1

AAC strategies like picture schedules and signing are fine, but a screen isn't necessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Introduce her to sources of alternative communication. This includes picture symbols, word boards, sign language, speech generating programs on ipads (you can start with the Talking Tom app). DO NOT believe the old saw that alternative communication will inhibit speech -- the opposite is true -- communication induces speech.

Alternative communication devices are for kids who can't or won't speak. There's no evidence that an iPad will stimulate a two year old's speech. A two year old doesn't need an iPad. Speech therapy, socialization time with other peers, and time is what she needs.

OP, speech delays aren't an indicator of intelligence. They do make your kid more likely to have language based learning issues; something to be aware of down the line.

Actually there is research that indicates very clearly that AAC strategies, including speech generating programs on iPads, increase verbal language in kids who are capable of verbal speech. They give kids an chance to learn how communication works, to experiment with words, and to hear consistent modeling from the device.

Also, many kids benefit from AAC strategies even after their verbal speech starts to develop. AAC supports receptive language, and allows kids with speech or language delays to express a wider array of things than they may be able to express with just spoken words.

Research conducted with two year olds and iPads? Please cite the source.

For children with complex issues like autism, CP, ID, yes, an iPad can be helpful:
http://www.aac-rerc.com/index.php/projects/show/id/1

AAC strategies like picture schedules and signing are fine, but a screen isn't necessary.

Can you provide research showing the opposite? That AAC apps don't increase verbal speech in 2 year olds with language delays?

[Anonymous]

New poster, please indicate your research that differentiates between speech strategies for kids with autism, CP etc and other kids. I've read hundreds of books and monographs and tips on stimulating speech and never seen lines like that being drawn. And, in a young child, it would not be possible to give a definitive diagnosis so how the hell would you know?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Introduce her to sources of alternative communication. This includes picture symbols, word boards, sign language, speech generating programs on ipads (you can start with the Talking Tom app). DO NOT believe the old saw that alternative communication will inhibit speech -- the opposite is true -- communication induces speech.

Alternative communication devices are for kids who can't or won't speak. There's no evidence that an iPad will stimulate a two year old's speech. A two year old doesn't need an iPad. Speech therapy, socialization time with other peers, and time is what she needs.

OP, speech delays aren't an indicator of intelligence. They do make your kid more likely to have language based learning issues; something to be aware of down the line.

Actually there is research that indicates very clearly that AAC strategies, including speech generating programs on iPads, increase verbal language in kids who are capable of verbal speech. They give kids an chance to learn how communication works, to experiment with words, and to hear consistent modeling from the device.

Also, many kids benefit from AAC strategies even after their verbal speech starts to develop. AAC supports receptive language, and allows kids with speech or language delays to express a wider array of things than they may be able to express with just spoken words.

Research conducted with two year olds and iPads? Please cite the source.

For children with complex issues like autism, CP, ID, yes, an iPad can be helpful:
http://www.aac-rerc.com/index.php/projects/show/id/1

AAC strategies like picture schedules and signing are fine, but a screen isn't necessary.

Let me get this straight. You believe a child AGED TWO should have a diagnosis like CP, ID, autism etc. and then and only then can be exposed to communication tools on an Ipad? And what professional gives out such diagnoses, and refuses nonverbal children communication tools? Because I would never, ever want to refer a child to you.

[Anonymous]

This sounds exactly like my son. No speech at 2 and multiple ear infections/tubes and hearing loss from fluid.It is possible her speech delay is because of her temproary hearing loss. If that's the case, you should start to see some improvement once the tubes have been placed. In our case it was a speech disorder. We got a fantastic speech therapist. We had speech twice a week and are still in speech now as he is 4.5 years old. We really started seeing results when he started preschool and was in a language rich environment. Keep in mind with language delays come lots of frustrations and can also cause behavior difficulties. This is something to consider when applying to preschools. Make sure you look into preschools who understand your daughters language delay and are willing to work with her.

[Anonymous]

I forgot to include in my last post....we used sign language to help my son communicate until the words started coming in.