Early Intervention
By mariposa_28
@mariposa_28 (34)
United States
August 24, 2009 8:31am CST
Hello my son was diagnosed with a heart defect which requires multipy surgeries within the two years of his life. During his second surgery at the age of 6 months he suffered a stroke. Since then I have taken him to the neurologist to be examined and evaluated for physical and occupational therapy. Since then he has regained all of his functions except for speech. He's not eligible for speech therapy at the hospital but that if I work with him at home he should be okay. I have bought every leap frog item, flash cards and baby einstein to help and encourage him to speak but he's almost 2, he's approaching his third surgery within the next couple of months and his vocabulary is around 5 words with yes and mom being the only word he repeats... Any suggestions on how I can encourage him to speak?
5 responses
@birdlady41465 (223)
• United States
25 Aug 09
I have never dealt with someone this young but best way I would deal with it may sound a little uncaring but in all actuality it is the best way to help. I would ignore the problem not medically just physical in ways of action toward him and just talk to him and encourage him by just talking to him normally even if it is hard to do. Yes he has medical issue but treat him as if you would if he did not and this will help him become normal as possiable and feel as he is like everyone else even if he has medical issue that make him different. I dealt with this with my elderly uncle and once I treated him as if nothing really was wrong he got it in his mind he could do the things he was not when I babied him. He did not get 100% but pretty close. Hope this helps. Good luck.
@mariposa_28 (34)
• United States
25 Aug 09
Thanks for your comment... I guess my situation is a little different. My son has had 2 open heart surgeries and I'm told not to let him cry to the point where he's hyperventalating. This causes his oxygen level to drop and he could stop his own heart. It's a very delicate situation. But the point is I must be very patient is all his activities and in his own progress. I take one day at a time and count each day as a blessing that I have him for another day... at the same time I am desperate to hear him speak. Granted I should be lucky that his vocabulary is of 5 words or less and that his main words are "mom" and "yeah" but he understands completely of my commands and responds to them. So I or any therapist have to take his medical disability into consideration when I'm dealing with him. But I appreciate everyones comments.. every bit helps.
@dianmelydia (2269)
• Indonesia
24 Aug 09
I think you can try to teach him one word per day. Or perhaps one word per week. It strongly depends on how fast he could remember and learn another word. I believe if we repeat a word multiple times in a day, it could be helpful because he will listen that word in whole day. Although he still can't remember that word, but at least he has listen that word, so next time if you repeat it again, it should be easier for him to recognize that word. I pray all the best for you son and i wish he could learn anything in normally. With your care as his parents, i believe that the power of love is the greatest medicine. Good luck and have a nice day. Happy mylotting.
@mariposa_28 (34)
• United States
24 Aug 09
Thanks for the response... Yes I do try to do that... I even bought these flash cards. You show him one flash card several times a day for a week and move on to the next card... At this point I'm more than willing to try any and everything for the sake of my child. Love and patience is definitely key... Thanks so much.
@msfrancisco9369 (10002)
• Boston, Massachusetts
25 Aug 09
hi mariposa_28!
a speech therapist will be of great help. i too have a son who has speech delay. he is now 13 years old and still having difficulty expressing himself. he was diagnosed with autism when he was 2.5 years old. we too had an early intervention with him which includes occupational and speech therapy. there's a great improvement as it relates to his lifeskills and communication skills. he's only 2 years old and early intervention will really help him to talk. i know what you feel and i understand your fear! power hug for you mom!!!
@mariposa_28 (34)
• United States
25 Aug 09
I'm in the process of getting help from a speech therapist... I'm waiting for the referral from my doctor. The doctors at the hospital said my son wasn't qualified for speech therapy at the hospital so it's a bit difficult for me to get a speech therapist with my doctors approval. We had occupational and physical therapy for him after he suffered his stroke but because he regained all functions and muscle mass that was lost so they ended the therapy. As a mother I want the very best for my son and I know I shouldn't compare my daughter who's 8 but I notice I compare their accomplishments when he reaches another age milestone and I see that he's behind. But I'm not giving up on my son and I will continue to help him anyway I can.
As what they say in the heart community.
Heart hugs...
@lifepeace (65)
• Brazil
24 Aug 09
relax baby and still. inside your heart you can do that run and all, you just need to be calm. your sun will be speaking pretty much until somedays. The peoples are differents, if so, the same ciencie we knew, maybe couldn't be put all ones around us. my suggestion to you, be happy, now, say it to God if you believe. "thank you God" say it, the things will be alright. but the first step, is to believe.
@mariposa_28 (34)
• United States
25 Aug 09
Thank you so much for your comment... I just want the very best for my son and have able to communicate with others.
I do believe and I know he will give my son the power of "voice".
