WWYD: speech therapy at 18 mo UPDATE and another ??

[lurknomore]

DD3 was referred to speech therapy today by our pedi at her 18 mo well visit. I kind of knew it was coming. DD1 had it starting at this age too. We were proactive bc of a history of speech issues in my immediate family. She's def on the low end. When DD1 was evaluated at 18 mo she tested 9-12 for expressive. I'd say DD3 is about the same. BUT she seems to have made a lot of progress the last few weeks. I'm inclined to wait and see what happens the next few months. EXCEPT we've already met our deductible for the year so if we go this year, were only paying 20% for the rest of the year (prob 5-6 visits). If we wait 6 months and she still needs it, we'll be paying for it all OOP. Sooo.....WWYD. Go ahead and have her evaluated even tho she seems to be making progress. Or wait it out knowing it could be a difference of $1000 ish dollars if she still needs it down the road. Highly likely given DD1s path a few years ago.

UPDATE: DD3 was evalated this morning. She tests at 2.5 for receptive language and according to the test they use, right at age appropriate for expressive. Soooo. The SLP said she would take her but it was really up to us. I see differences between DD3 and her classmates. But, I also think she's RIGHT THERE. So WWYD? Proceed with speech therapy or wait six months and reevaluate?

[VillainV]

Depending on your area, there could be a waiting list for speech therapy services. Even under the best of circumstances it can take a few months to get the evals, hearing tests, etc all scheduled and accomplished. I'd go ahead and get the process started, especially since you can get some of it knocked out this year while you've already met your deductible.

ETA:   C was referred to speech therapy at his 15-month appointment. He'll be 18 months next week, and we're STILL waiting to get him into regularly scheduled appointments.  In the mean time he's done a speech eval, is scheduled for a feeding eval, has had a hearing test, was referred to ENT, and is getting tubes put into his ears on Monday morning.  We hope he'll get to the top of the waiting list and actually start speech therapy sometime next month.

[origami]

Are you referring to private therapy? I would totally start that now and cross my fingers she didn't need it next year. I'd much rather waste $ by paying copays than risk paying 100% of the costs, since ST doesn't hurt anyone. If you mean going to EI, Id start that process now because it could take a while anyway.

[lurknomore]

Yes. It would be private therapy. IME with DD1, it will just be straight up speech. Her receptive language seems to be perfect. She understands everything. So it will be for expressive only We can get in within a week if we do decide to start. I have to call and verify insurance coverage but I *think* they'll cover 20 visits/year, but it is subject to our deductible, which we've met for this year. I guess I'll call around Monday and see how soon I can get her in. I could prob push for weekly sessions (we did EOW with DD1) and squeeze as many visits in this year as possible.

[VillainV]

Sept 25, 2015 16:25:01 GMT -5 lurknomore said:

Yes. It would be private therapy. IME with DD1, it will just be straight up speech. Her receptive language seems to be perfect. She understands everything. So it will be for expressive only We can get in within a week if we do decide to start. I have to call and verify insurance coverage but I *think* they'll cover 20 visits/year, but it is subject to our deductible, which we've met for this year. I guess I'll call around Monday and see how soon I can get her in. I could prob push for weekly sessions (we did EOW with DD1) and squeeze as many visits in this year as possible.

Yeah, I see no reason not to get it as many sessions as you can this year since you've met your deductible.   If she's making good strides now, she might not even need more therapy after the new year.   

C is also expressive only.  His receptive is just fine.  They still wanted a hearing eval done, which we were surprised to see showed moderate hearing loss due to multiple ear infections and fluid in his ears (hence the tubes going in).  So they may still want to do a hearing test.  C's was NDB though, he just sat on my lap in the booth.

[lolo]

What is the harm in going?

[heygrey]

Unless its a huge burden for you time-wise, I would go now while it's "free". If she doesn't need it they'll tell you.

[osulori]

I would absolutely start now. If she continues to make progress and ends up not needing it in a few months then great, the SLP will discharge her. But if she still needs it in a few months then you'll already have her in ST.