Comments for teachmetotalk.com http://teachmetotalk.com Helping Parents Teach Toddlers To Understand and Use Language Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:36:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on Oral Motor Exercises to Help Speech in Toddlers and Preschoolers - Why Science Says They Don’t Work by Laura http://teachmetotalk.com/2008/08/18/oral-motor-exercises-to-help-speech-in-toddlers-and-preschoolers-why-science-says-they-dont-work/#comment-4256 Laura Mon, 17 Nov 2008 23:09:15 +0000 http://teachmetotalk.com/?p=233#comment-4256 Robin - I have read Jennifer Bathel's response, but thanks for pointing that out to our readers. I am not opposed to oral motor exercises for kids who need to target this for feeding skills and for those who have such extremely low oral muscle tone and/or poor oral-sensory awareness (i.e. still drooling waaaaay past turning 2 because of a lack of awareness). BUT I think the research is pretty compelling for thinking twice about doing oral motor exercises "rotely" with the guise of improving speech intelligibility for the majority of children where muscle tone has had no other negative functional impact (i.e. no feeding problems, no drooling, etc....). Thanks for expressing your opinion on what continues to be a topic of discussion in our field. Laura Robin - I have read Jennifer Bathel’s response, but thanks for pointing that out to our readers.

I am not opposed to oral motor exercises for kids who need to target this for feeding skills and for those who have such extremely low oral muscle tone and/or poor oral-sensory awareness (i.e. still drooling waaaaay past turning 2 because of a lack of awareness).

BUT I think the research is pretty compelling for thinking twice about doing oral motor exercises “rotely” with the guise of improving speech intelligibility for the majority of children where muscle tone has had no other negative functional impact (i.e. no feeding problems, no drooling, etc….).

Thanks for expressing your opinion on what continues to be a topic of discussion in our field.

Laura

]]> Comment on Oral Motor Exercises to Help Speech in Toddlers and Preschoolers - Why Science Says They Don’t Work by Robin http://teachmetotalk.com/2008/08/18/oral-motor-exercises-to-help-speech-in-toddlers-and-preschoolers-why-science-says-they-dont-work/#comment-4251 Robin Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:28:17 +0000 http://teachmetotalk.com/?p=233#comment-4251 Please look into a response to Dr. Lof, by Jennifer A. Bathel. It makes a lot of sense as to why SLP's like myslef believe in Oral Motor. Please look into a response to Dr. Lof, by Jennifer A. Bathel. It makes a lot of sense as to why SLP’s like myslef believe in Oral Motor.

]]> Comment on Could My Toddler Be Autistic? Possible Signs of Autism in Toddlers by Laura http://teachmetotalk.com/2008/03/14/could-my-toddler-be-autistic-signs-of-autism-in-toddlers/#comment-4124 Laura Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:18:47 +0000 http://teachmetotalk.com/2008/03/14/could-my-toddler-be-autistic-signs-of-autism-in-toddlers/#comment-4124 Ashley - University programs and children's hospitals often have teams to evaluate children. You could also ask your pediatrician for a referral to a pediatric psychologist. Even if he's not on the spectrum, the psychologist can help you with managing the frustrating behaviors. One other thing I would do is to get him evaluated by an occupational therapist since many of the behaviors you're describing could be linked to sensory processing disorder, with or without him being autistic. Call your early intervention program back and ask for OT, or find an OT privately. Even if you have to file insurance or end up paying for it yourself, I think you'll be on track for getting the help you need for him. I don't know if you listened or not, but on my podcast last week we started a series on autism. In the first show we discussed the official diagnostic criteria for autism, so this info might also be helpful to you before you visit another professional. Going in armed with very specific diagnostic information can be helpful so that you can say to the person I'm concernred about autism because he exhibits these qualities, and then spell them out. You can listen to the podcast by clicking on the top link under the blue blogtalkradio column on the right. Hope this helps! Laura Ashley - University programs and children’s hospitals often have teams to evaluate children. You could also ask your pediatrician for a referral to a pediatric psychologist. Even if he’s not on the spectrum, the psychologist can help you with managing the frustrating behaviors.

One other thing I would do is to get him evaluated by an occupational therapist since many of the behaviors you’re describing could be linked to sensory processing disorder, with or without him being autistic. Call your early intervention program back and ask for OT, or find an OT privately. Even if you have to file insurance or end up paying for it yourself, I think you’ll be on track for getting the help you need for him.

I don’t know if you listened or not, but on my podcast last week we started a series on autism. In the first show we discussed the official diagnostic criteria for autism, so this info might also be helpful to you before you visit another professional. Going in armed with very specific diagnostic information can be helpful so that you can say to the person I’m concernred about autism because he exhibits these qualities, and then spell them out. You can listen to the podcast by clicking on the top link under the blue blogtalkradio column on the right. Hope this helps! Laura

]]> Comment on Could My Toddler Be Autistic? Possible Signs of Autism in Toddlers by ashley http://teachmetotalk.com/2008/03/14/could-my-toddler-be-autistic-signs-of-autism-in-toddlers/#comment-4116 ashley Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:27:38 +0000 http://teachmetotalk.com/2008/03/14/could-my-toddler-be-autistic-signs-of-autism-in-toddlers/#comment-4116 i looked at your list and our son who is 28 months displays 18 of the listed characteristics. We first noticed a problem with his speech, he has maybe 20 words that he uses, but only 10 that are used on a regular basis, and then only is the word is said to him like we are asking him if he wants that item/thing.he can only make some sentences like we go, mommy get, things like that. we had his evaluated by a speech therapist and was told that he wasnt behind at all. im in doubt about her diagnosis. he does alot of grunting and groaning when he wants something. he also seems very independant, and gets extremly frustrated when he cant do something or if we try to help. hes obssesed with lining up his toy cars, and will only play with the cars and none of his other toys. he gets hysterical when asked to stop doing something or if we try to have him do something such as eat, he will lay on the ground grunting and screaming for up to an hour. we have tried to get him to interact with other kids but he seems content to be by himself and gets violent when others try to play with him. his eating habits are another concern, eating time has become a chore for us. he simply refuses to eat unless its frys or something sweet. we cant get him to sit down and look at a book or do something other then what he wants to do. im at my wits end and dont know what to do with him, the therapist says hes fine, but obviously something is wrong, i started doing research on autism and he seems to be showing alot of the signs. where can i have him evaluated for autism at? i looked at your list and our son who is 28 months displays 18 of the listed characteristics. We first noticed a problem with his speech, he has maybe 20 words that he uses, but only 10 that are used on a regular basis, and then only is the word is said to him like we are asking him if he wants that item/thing.he can only make some sentences like we go, mommy get, things like that. we had his evaluated by a speech therapist and was told that he wasnt behind at all. im in doubt about her diagnosis. he does alot of grunting and groaning when he wants something. he also seems very independant, and gets extremly frustrated when he cant do something or if we try to help. hes obssesed with lining up his toy cars, and will only play with the cars and none of his other toys. he gets hysterical when asked to stop doing something or if we try to have him do something such as eat, he will lay on the ground grunting and screaming for up to an hour. we have tried to get him to interact with other kids but he seems content to be by himself and gets violent when others try to play with him. his eating habits are another concern, eating time has become a chore for us. he simply refuses to eat unless its frys or something sweet. we cant get him to sit down and look at a book or do something other then what he wants to do. im at my wits end and dont know what to do with him, the therapist says hes fine, but obviously something is wrong, i started doing research on autism and he seems to be showing alot of the signs. where can i have him evaluated for autism at?

]]> Comment on Could My Toddler Be Autistic? Possible Signs of Autism in Toddlers by Laura http://teachmetotalk.com/2008/03/14/could-my-toddler-be-autistic-signs-of-autism-in-toddlers/#comment-4111 Laura Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:59:34 +0000 http://teachmetotalk.com/2008/03/14/could-my-toddler-be-autistic-signs-of-autism-in-toddlers/#comment-4111 Barbara - I'm glad you're getting the speech eval soon, and that SLP will be able to tell you what's going on with your sons since she'll be able to observe them and play with them in addition to hearing your concerns. Congratulations for going ahead and pursuing the assessment now rather than waiting. In the meantime, you can start implementing some of the suggestions from articles here on the site. You don't need a speech assessment to do that! Now about your questions - have you listened to last week's podcast Teach Me To Talk with Laura and Kate here on the website? In that show I discuss the criteria for diagnosing autism, and there's also a link to document I used for reference in the comments section. You can listen to the show by clicking the top link under the blogtalkradio icon. I forgot to number last week's show, but it's the introduction to this month's series on autism, and that information may help you decide in your own mind if autism is a possibility for your son that you're concerned about. That being said, autism is just one of the reasons a child may show a delay in communication skills. Prematurity and late gross motor skills are also contributing factors. Late walking and late talking are very common in children who were premature and multiple births, as you've pointed out. I hope their communication skills move along as well as their motor skills have! Keep us posted on how they do! Laura Barbara - I’m glad you’re getting the speech eval soon, and that SLP will be able to tell you what’s going on with your sons since she’ll be able to observe them and play with them in addition to hearing your concerns. Congratulations for going ahead and pursuing the assessment now rather than waiting. In the meantime, you can start implementing some of the suggestions from articles here on the site. You don’t need a speech assessment to do that!

Now about your questions - have you listened to last week’s podcast Teach Me To Talk with Laura and Kate here on the website? In that show I discuss the criteria for diagnosing autism, and there’s also a link to document I used for reference in the comments section. You can listen to the show by clicking the top link under the blogtalkradio icon. I forgot to number last week’s show, but it’s the introduction to this month’s series on autism, and that information may help you decide in your own mind if autism is a possibility for your son that you’re concerned about.

That being said, autism is just one of the reasons a child may show a delay in communication skills. Prematurity and late gross motor skills are also contributing factors. Late walking and late talking are very common in children who were premature and multiple births, as you’ve pointed out. I hope their communication skills move along as well as their motor skills have! Keep us posted on how they do! Laura

]]> Comment on “Discover The Best Approach Proven To Teach Your Toddler To Talk” by Laura http://teachmetotalk.com/2008/07/15/discover-the-best-approach-proven-to-teach-your-toddler-to-talk/#comment-4110 Laura Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:35:28 +0000 http://teachmetotalk.com/?p=213#comment-4110 Thanks so much Stephanie! It's been a very hectic Monday for me RE-recording all of my voice overs for DVD #2 Teach Me To Listen and Obey, in addition to seeing 4 of my little friends today. To come home and read your comment about Teach Me To Talk makes it all worth it to me! I'm so glad you're having success with the techniques! Keep me posted on how your little boy is doing! Thanks too for thanking the other person here at teachmetotalk.com who works very hard to keep this site going while I am out treating children. He handles all of DVD orders and shipping as well as the pre-and post-production PROBLEMS that we've encounter this past few months shooting and producing the DVDs. I couldn't do it without him! Johnny is the real un-sung hero around here, and I thank you for thanking him!!! Laura Thanks so much Stephanie! It’s been a very hectic Monday for me RE-recording all of my voice overs for DVD #2 Teach Me To Listen and Obey, in addition to seeing 4 of my little friends today. To come home and read your comment about Teach Me To Talk makes it all worth it to me! I’m so glad you’re having success with the techniques! Keep me posted on how your little boy is doing!

Thanks too for thanking the other person here at teachmetotalk.com who works very hard to keep this site going while I am out treating children. He handles all of DVD orders and shipping as well as the pre-and post-production PROBLEMS that we’ve encounter this past few months shooting and producing the DVDs. I couldn’t do it without him! Johnny is the real un-sung hero around here, and I thank you for thanking him!!! Laura

]]> Comment on Could My Toddler Be Autistic? Possible Signs of Autism in Toddlers by Barbara http://teachmetotalk.com/2008/03/14/could-my-toddler-be-autistic-signs-of-autism-in-toddlers/#comment-4105 Barbara Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:28:54 +0000 http://teachmetotalk.com/2008/03/14/could-my-toddler-be-autistic-signs-of-autism-in-toddlers/#comment-4105 I just read this article and now I am very worried about one of my twins. The boys were born 10 weeks premature, and are now 17 months chronological, 15 months adjusted age. They have been getting physical therapy through our local Early Intervention program for almost a year. Now that they are walking and are doing well with their motor skills, they will stop getting weekly PT. Both boys are speech delayed, but babble with inflection quite a lot. I thought they had said word at various times over the past six months, but they don't ever say anything consistently, not even mama and dada. We do have a speech evaluation scheduled for next month, and it could just be a normal speech delay, common in twin boys. However, while one boy "T" has been clapping his hands for some time and will wave bye bye (sort of) when prompted, the other boy "S" shows no interest in doing these. In fact, neither one of them do much in the way of imitative behavior, and really never have. I'm not as worried about T, because he is very social and seems to be interested in learning new things. In contrast, S seems to want to do the same things over and over. For example, he will pick up a toy and walk back and forth from the table to the couch and set the object up high. He does this over and over, and seems to enjoy it a lot. He doesn't respond consistently to his name, and doesn't gesture or point at all, except for raising his arms to be picked up. His eye contact is okay, but not great. On the other hand, he smiles and giggles and laughs and plays with his brother. He snuggles for brief periods, until he goes off on another adventure. He likes peek-a-boo. He is interested in our pets and likes to chase them and pet them. Maybe it is just his personality? I just read this article and now I am very worried about one of my twins. The boys were born 10 weeks premature, and are now 17 months chronological, 15 months adjusted age. They have been getting physical therapy through our local Early Intervention program for almost a year. Now that they are walking and are doing well with their motor skills, they will stop getting weekly PT.

Both boys are speech delayed, but babble with inflection quite a lot. I thought they had said word at various times over the past six months, but they don’t ever say anything consistently, not even mama and dada. We do have a speech evaluation scheduled for next month, and it could just be a normal speech delay, common in twin boys.

However, while one boy “T” has been clapping his hands for some time and will wave bye bye (sort of) when prompted, the other boy “S” shows no interest in doing these. In fact, neither one of them do much in the way of imitative behavior, and really never have.

I’m not as worried about T, because he is very social and seems to be interested in learning new things. In contrast, S seems to want to do the same things over and over. For example, he will pick up a toy and walk back and forth from the table to the couch and set the object up high. He does this over and over, and seems to enjoy it a lot. He doesn’t respond consistently to his name, and doesn’t gesture or point at all, except for raising his arms to be picked up. His eye contact is okay, but not great.

On the other hand, he smiles and giggles and laughs and plays with his brother. He snuggles for brief periods, until he goes off on another adventure. He likes peek-a-boo. He is interested in our pets and likes to chase them and pet them. Maybe it is just his personality?

]]> Comment on “Discover The Best Approach Proven To Teach Your Toddler To Talk” by Stephanie http://teachmetotalk.com/2008/07/15/discover-the-best-approach-proven-to-teach-your-toddler-to-talk/#comment-4102 Stephanie Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:47:42 +0000 http://teachmetotalk.com/?p=213#comment-4102 Wow! I will always have a special spot in my heart for Laura and all the teachmetotalk gang. The resources compiled here are amazing! I've had the DVD for about 2 weeks now, and I LOVE it! There is just only so much an SLP can do with/for you child- lets face it- it's really up to us, the parents. And most toddlers respond better to a familiar mommy/daddy than an 'once a week' SLP. Well, unless we're lucky enough to have someone like Laura as our SLP. The six techniques discussed in the DVD were very eye opening. Especially using "with-holding/frustration". My son responds very well with this technique. He said his second three word sentence! He was grunting for more animal crackers, his Sunday School teacher knows that he can sign, and was requiring him to do so. Out of frustration, he finally said "I WANT MORE". We were all thrilled! I really suggest everyone to buy this DVD, there are ideas that you've probably not thought of. And Laura demonstrates her techniques in sessions with a wide age range of children. Thank you so much Laura and the whole gang, for all your hard work!! Wow! I will always have a special spot in my heart for Laura and all the teachmetotalk gang. The resources compiled here are amazing! I’ve had the DVD for about 2 weeks now, and I LOVE it! There is just only so much an SLP can do with/for you child- lets face it- it’s really up to us, the parents. And most toddlers respond better to a familiar mommy/daddy than an ‘once a week’ SLP. Well, unless we’re lucky enough to have someone like Laura as our SLP. The six techniques discussed in the DVD were very eye opening. Especially using “with-holding/frustration”. My son responds very well with this technique. He said his second three word sentence! He was grunting for more animal crackers, his Sunday School teacher knows that he can sign, and was requiring him to do so. Out of frustration, he finally said “I WANT MORE”. We were all thrilled! I really suggest everyone to buy this DVD, there are ideas that you’ve probably not thought of. And Laura demonstrates her techniques in sessions with a wide age range of children. Thank you so much Laura and the whole gang, for all your hard work!!

]]> Comment on Hearing Your Child’s Diagnosis For The First Time by Another Laura http://teachmetotalk.com/2008/10/29/hearing-your-childs-diagnosis-for-the-first-time/#comment-4050 Another Laura Sat, 08 Nov 2008 13:30:15 +0000 http://teachmetotalk.com/?p=297#comment-4050 Hi, FYI: I added a link to your site on my blog under "Newly Diagnosed." Hi,
FYI: I added a link to your site on my blog under “Newly Diagnosed.”

]]> Comment on NEW SERIES ABOUT AUTISM - Listen LIVE on Thursday, November 6 to “Teach Me To Talk with Laura and Kate” by Another Laura http://teachmetotalk.com/2008/11/04/new-series-about-autism-listen-live-on-thursday-november-6-to-teach-me-to-talk-with-laura-and-kate/#comment-4049 Another Laura Sat, 08 Nov 2008 13:26:50 +0000 http://teachmetotalk.com/?p=308#comment-4049 Hi, so much good content. I'm still listening to your SPD series, which is great. Will definitely catch the autism series next. Hi, so much good content. I’m still listening to your SPD series, which is great. Will definitely catch the autism series next.

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