Severe speech delay- cross post from general board

[Miss Peregrine]

We are considering adopting a child with a severe speech(language?) delay. He is 16 months and his speech is at 3 mo. He also has some cognitive delays as well as physical although his physical has improved in the last few months.

Has anyone experienced a delay this severe?

[Cheryl in SoCal]

Is he in the US or another country? Have they been able to figure out if something medical is causing his speech and other delays? Are you able to ask for additional medical testing? I don't have experience with adopting a child that speech delayed but have adopted 2 children with special needs.

[Cheryl in SoCal]

Also, what kind of setting is he currently in? If he is in an orphanage or low quality foster care that will affect him developmentally.

[sbgrace]

I think the underlying cause is going to be important in terms of outcomes. A kid with those delays with a metabolic condition vs. environmental factors vs. brain damage from a prenatal stroke for example is going to be very different.

[StillLearning]

We are considering adopting a child with a severe speech(language?) delay. He is 16 months and his speech is at 3 mo. He also has some cognitive delays as well as physical although his physical has improved in the last few months.

Has anyone experienced a delay this severe?

My son has a severe speech delay. At 8 he still has no spoken language. He communicates with a communication device (Dynavox) and some sign. His delay is due to a chromosome syndrome and very possibly apraxia. We are still waiting on the apraxia diagnosis. He also has cognitive delays.

I'd be happy to share anything of our experience that might be helpful.

[SuperMum]

The fact that these delays have not been glossed over or ignored is fantastic. YOu have an opportunity to change the course of this childs life as all research points to consistant long term early intervention is most effective for these children. If the child was a teenager it would be a much more difficult process however you have the opportunity to help strengthen muscle development with an OT, rewire brain activity with a speechie and psych and most importantly provide an emotional connection to life through all the love you will give.
IF you do this you need to act now most of the best therapists have wait lists and universities accept limited children so book in NOW and go for it.
All the best.
http://ltuilc.blogspot.com/
Anne