Help, I’m worried why my toddler isn’t talking yet. What can I do?

I pondered this same question alone in my thoughts for days. I was honestly ashamed of myself I’m in healthcare and I hadn’t taken notice much earlier. It was 2022 and my Covid toddler was about to turn 3 and her speech was almost non existent. She was my first child and everyone around me assured me it was normal she would eventually talk….”it’ll be fine”. I reassured myself “everyone” says the same thing, so it must be ok. Then Instagram shattered my glass house.

I was sitting in the living room watching my daughter jump around thinking nothing of it, as i scrolled instagram. Boom a video of a girlfriend of mine whose daughter was very close in age to my daughter was having a full blown conversation with her mother. At that moment I felt the world flip upside down. I felt the heat rush all over my body, my stomach feeling uneasy, and I knew. I had a problem.

I sat there overwhelmed in my thoughts, How could I be Stupid? How did I not see this? How did I let everyone convince me otherwise? so many thoughts raced through me. I felt horrible, useless a true failure.

The next day when I woke up I was determined. I needed to do something and do something NOW. then the realization hit me. What was that something I needed to do? realistically? I honestly didn’t know. It was in this process I learned the procedures and steps any parent needs to take if they notice any speech or developemental delays. Below I’ll outline all the steps and what to do if anyone or anything roadblocks you. Trust your mom gut. You are your child’s biggest advocate.

Step 1. Call your pediatrician and ask for an appointment immediately. Discuss at your appointment what concerns you about the delay? is it pronounciation? A lack of any and all speech? regression? (where they spoke but then seemed to have lost their words) any behaviors that you may also feel concerned about as well.

Step 2. Contact Early Intervention (in the united States all 50 states participate in this program)and complete all the paperwork needed. The reason I made Seeing your pediatrician Number one was in New York State where I’m located part of the paperwork that needs to be submitted was a recent physical and several other forms. So make sure you take a look at the paperwork that needs to be submitted so you bring it to your visit.

Step 3. Set up a date for your Speech evaluation done through Early intervention. and ask about any other possible evaluations your child may qualify for.

Step 4. Start working with your child NOW at home. I cannot emphasize more, even if your child qualifies for speech therapy most of their learning and interacting comes from the time they are at home with you. Start by reading more books, Purchasing some of the 100 first words books, and flash cards. Start by saying words with their action. Example if you’re walking say “walking” or up the stairs “up” drinking water show them the cup hold it close to your mouth and say “cup”. All day everyday there are opportunities for language growth.

Step 5. Searching for a private speech therapist. You may or may not get Speech services through Early intervention. However if you do not qualify and you’re still determined you can call or look up several private speech therapists and pay out of pocket. They usually charge an evaluation fee first and then a price for every session. If you can get it through insurance you’ll need a script from a physician first and then go through the hoops that specific insurance carrier requires you to do in order to have them pay. Beware most insurance plans fight you tooth and nail, so if you decide to go that route be prepared for a long battle.

I hope these 5 simple steps help guide you in an area where I found myself lost. If theres any information you’d like me to cover or answer for you please comment below. This allows me to understand what my readers would like to see more of. Thanks guys and here’s to being your child’s greatest Advocate.

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Posted By: rohaneh · In: Motherhood