Doctor Wants 17 mnth dcb in Speech Therapy?

[ebhappydc]

A mom to a 17 mnth old dcb told me today her family doctor is calling her to get her son to go to a speech therapist b/c he hasn't said more than mama. I know he can hear as he follows instructions I give him (his comprehension is great), he just isn't trying to say any words yet. Mom said his older siblings were same and eventually talked. Isn't it a little soon to refer a 17 mnth old to a specialist?

[Lee-Bee]

Perhaps the doctor has seen a few other red flags that he can't quite pinpoint yet so is doing this as a precaution. If he is seeing a specialist other areas of concern may come to light sooner.

I don't see any harm in a 17month old seeing a speech pathologist. The child will just see it as a fun outing with someone paying extra attention to him.

[MommaL]

In some cities, waitlists for speech pathologists are months long (unless you go privately, which not everyone can afford). If that's the case where you are, it could be that the doctor wants to make the referral now, knowing that it could be months before the he actually sees anyone. Maybe he's just being cautious and wants to start the process. I think it's a positive thing. There's a good chance that the little guy will just start chattering away on his own. But if he does have any problems, at least he's in the system and there's someone watching out for him.

[5 Little Monkeys]

The long wait lists were my first thought too. IME, it will be a few months before he's seen so maybe the dr is just taking precautions? If he starts to talk before the appt, they can likely just cancel?

I have a little boy who is 2.5 now and took forever (it seemed) to even try to talk. I thought he might need to eventually see a speech therapist. Than in just a few days his speech just took off!!! I do think 17 months is a bit young to worry too much but I bet it's because it takes so long to get in

[nebichan]

I created an account just to comment on this.

Waitlists are LONG. Here in Ottawa, you see First Words. You make an appointment for an assessment, which are usually full quickly. Then you get seen a few months later, then you go to a parent info session, then you get called for a possible therapy, all in 16 week blocks. Once that therapy is done, you're back on the waitlist until there's something else/another assessment.

Example: I took my 9mo old in. At 18 months, she got her first therapy. After that therapy session was over, she was referred to another service. When she was 2 and a bit, she got assessed (ASD). We're looking at a speech assessment in January when she will almost be 3. Waitlist for further treatment will probably be another year or so.

So yes, get your children in as early as possible. Not all waitlists are the same ,but at least in Ottawa/Ontario, they can be nasty.

[ebhappydc]

I created an account just to comment on this.

Waitlists are LONG. Here in Ottawa, you see First Words. You make an appointment for an assessment, which are usually full quickly. Then you get seen a few months later, then you go to a parent info session, then you get called for a possible therapy, all in 16 week blocks. Once that therapy is done, you're back on the waitlist until there's something else/another assessment.

Example: I took my 9mo old in. At 18 months, she got her first therapy. After that therapy session was over, she was referred to another service. When she was 2 and a bit, she got assessed (ASD). We're looking at a speech assessment in January when she will almost be 3. Waitlist for further treatment will probably be another year or so.

So yes, get your children in as early as possible. Not all waitlists are the same ,but at least in Ottawa/Ontario, they can be nasty.

Thank you for responding to this. I guess no harm in being on a wait list. If child turns out to have normal speech by the time it's their turn to be assessed, then nothing lost. better to be safe than sorry. Thanks!