Phonological Delay Disorder
The official diagnosis on the referral paper that I handed to the receptionist for Buzz’s appointment stated Phonological Delay Disorder. Which is a rather long name for a speech delay. We were there to see a therapist, after our disastrous turn with the public school system’s evaluation last year. This time, it was one on one. With a rather perky younger woman. And a much better experience.
They bent down to play with blocks together. He stacked and she stacked, then he knocked them all down. He found a Thomas the Train toy sitting on the shelf and choo-chooed that across the carpet. Picture books were looked at and illustrations named, all the while timidly clutching in his hand a small rock that he grabbed from our driveway before we left.
“What’s this, Buzz?”, she asked brightly, pointing to a pair of scissors on the page.
“Boo-boo”, he replied.
“And this?”, a little bit later, pointing to a butter knife.
“Boo-boo”, he said again.
“What’s this, down here?”, this time referring to a frying pan.
“Hot. Boo-boo.”
That’s my boy. At least he has the basics down.
Of course, these weren’t all he could recognize, most of which he accomplished correctly. We walked away from this appointment feeling good, unlike our other experience. No one mentioned “special needs” or treated him like he wasn’t a very smart kid. His words are simply stuck. We’re going to schedule therapy appointments for once a week, a minimum of 12 weeks, then see where we’re at it. I have a feeling he’ll be talking back with colorful language in no time.
I'm Crystal. A 30-something mom to 3 young kids living in the Midwest USA. When I'm not chasing my children, I'm a freelance writer and web designer. I like to tell stories from our days and share what we enjoy...
7 Responses
on March 12 2010
I’m glad to hear that today’s appointment was a much more positive experience! And I like the way you put it, that “His words are simply stuck,” and it’s a matter of helping him learn to access those words. Will he continue to see the same woman he saw for this appointment? It sounds like he — and you — are more comfortable with her than the people you saw that last time around. I hope it continues to be a positive experience for you & Buzz!
My husband didn’t talk until sometime after his third birthday, and went to a speech therapist for a period of time. Then, according to my mother-in-law, it was like a switch turned at around 3 1/2 and he started having this explosion of language. It’s amazing just how wide the range of normal is, and how children develop at such dramatically different rates. You’re doing the right thing by Buzz to have this addressed, and soon he’ll be chatting your ear off!
.-= Crystal @ Semi-Crunchy Mama´s latest blog post: Photo Story Friday — Backyard Mountain Climbing =-.
on March 12th, 2010
@Crystal @ Semi-Crunchy Mama, Buzz’s speech has definitely exploded in the past few months. He tries to repeat pretty much everything we say, and he can tell us, somewhat, what he wants and all that. It’s just nowhere near where it should be for his age.
We’re hoping to see the same woman, yes. Buzz’s kind of a shy kid around those he doesn’t know, and he really needs to be comfortable around the person in order to learn the best he can. He already played with her and smiled with her and didn’t cry, which is huge.
on March 12 2010
Oh, and I wanted to thank you for clearing up my confusion over RSS feeds. I still feel like such a bumbling newbie whenever I attempt to tackle anything on the more technical side of blogging!
.-= Crystal @ Semi-Crunchy Mama´s latest blog post: Photo Story Friday — Backyard Mountain Climbing =-.
on March 12 2010
It’s amazing what a difference a trained specialist can make, one who understands that each child’s personality and needs are different. So glad it went well. (And so glad he knows about those hot stoves!) =>
.-= Stacia´s latest blog post: Haiku Friday =-.
on March 12 2010
It’s nice to hear that this meeting went better. Hopefully these therapy appointments will give you a chatterbox soon enough.
.-= Marilyn @ A Lot of Loves´s latest blog post: Argue, Rinse, Repeat. =-.
on March 12 2010
I’m glad this meeting went better for him!
.-= Amber´s latest blog post: Things That Make Me Go Huh =-.
on March 15 2010
I bet you are right. Something about boys being quiet and then all of a sudden, they are speaking in complete sentences.
.-= Krystyn´s latest blog post: Cinnabon Cupcake Review and Giveaway =-.