October 31, 2009
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Did you know Speech problems are a disability?
My son C is in Kindergarten. I received a call earlier this week about concern about him having speech problems. I had never really thought about it. I can understand him. When I sat and thought about it though I realized, yes, he does have speech issues. There are a lot of people who can not understand him. I asked him if his teacher always understands him. He said no. I asked him what happens then. He said he says it again
He is soo cute. I really don’t mind letting them test him for speech issues and getting the help so that he can be understood easier. The papers came to fill out to let them test him.It came with a huge thing about parents rights and rights when it comes to IEP’s. (IEP=Individualized Education Program) and also all about IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). Talk about a lot to read.At first I was like why all this stuff. Christian isn’t disabled. I understood all the IEP stuff for W. He has educational issues but I was thinking why Christian? I was even thinking that when I started witting this. Then it hit me! Not being able to be understood by your teachers and peers is a big disability. Yes, he maybe able to walk. He may be able to hear. But many many people can’t understand him. That is a major disability. Hopefully this disability will be able to be fixed (Most speech issues can be) and he will be able to go and make more friends (something that is hard to do when many people can’t understand what you are saying) and do the things that he wants to do.What do you think of when you hear disability?
Comments (16)
Sorry that they are telling you and your family that.. from what I could tell and mind you I am not a professional in this subject by any means.. he sounds like a cute, happy and excited little boy…..
He is precious…..I hate that in todays world we put names and titles on every little thing.. He is a Kid,, Gosh!! How is work going by the way? Did your grandma make it back to her house yet? i hope so! i know you miss her
@misunderstood47 - Work = unable to find job
Grandma is at my aunts house right now, so no she has not made it home yet. Yes, we miss her
I have this problem this is part of my disability, I got a disability called dyspraxia.
think of it as a temporary disability. My oldest daughter had speech issues at that age, she talked very baby-ish and I had to fight the public schools to get her into speech…but they don’t start speech around here until 1st grade for her issues. She had to take speech class for about 1 1/2 (school) yrs, and by the end of it, she was speaking 100% better! I view the IEP as a way to keep the parents and teachers involved. Most of our meetings over speech were about her progress and stuff we could do to help her. Its good that something is being done now, and not when he is in jr high talkin’ funny
it also has a lot to do with funding. In PA in order for the school to receive funding for their speech program from the state then the child has to be considered special education. Actually our local school flat out told me this when my son was in kindergarten. I said to them this is just speech, he doesn’t need special ed. They replied they needed to write it up this way in order to pay for the speech, if they don’t then they won’t get the funding from the state. I figured it was nice that they were at least upfront and honest with as to why.
@Kristenmomof3 - i thought you had gotten a job, mcdonalds or burger king….you looked so cute in that pic you posted… something else will come about, be sure of taht
@misunderstood47 - Mcdonalds here has a rule that you can not have off the first week you work or you are considered having quit. My husbands grandfather died after my first day.
@sdbenfam - I agree, that its a funding issue too.
I fought to get help for our gifted son and our other son who was having major issues, and we couldn’t get it, but they were quick to help our daughter with speech issues…I have no idea why (maybe it was less to “deal” with IDK or “easy” money)
@my_final_username - one of my children has severe dyspraxia.
Kristen, my son has childhood apraxia of speech. All he can do is make vowel sounds. He was at the local county learning center and they changed therapists so often that he was making no progress. We drive 160 miles round trip every week to take him to speech. He’ll struggle his entire life.
It’s not a disability,. The Lord knew exactly what He was doing when he created these children. A “disability” is an opportunity for God to shine.
@CrunchyMountainMomma - ”It’s not a disability,. The Lord knew
exactly what He was doing when he created these children. A
“disability” is an opportunity for God to shine.”
AMEN to that!
I work in the public school system (and have for almost 30 years), and while I am not a teacher, C’s speech ability matches most of the young students I know. There is a certain immaturity that will be there at this age, and it should go away if you and Barry treat him as capable, and encourage his sounding out words. He sounds like a normal (is it 8 years old?) kid.
@pb49r - he is 5. He is in Kindergarten. If my 8 year old spoke like that I would be very very concerned. She is a very eloquent speaker.
I hope his speech gets better soon!
I can understand what he is saying. His pronunciation seems like it will get better with practice. Did he have many ear infections when he was younger? My nephew had the same type of speech pattern because he had many ear infections that effected his ability to hear and learn vocabulary. His hearing was not permanently damaged and his speech improved with practice.
@AnonymousXGrl - no he never had any ear infections. He has been a pretty healthy child
@Kristenmomof3 - That’s good to hear.