Early intervention

My son had his 18 month check up today. During the visit the pediatrician ask us (my husband and I) were asked if our son was talking. We mentioned he still babbles but he’s very alert, aware, curious, gives eye contact. They’re not too worried about that. The babbling is pretty much dadadada and gagagaga. He gave us recommendations for early intervention specialist. Has anyone child been through this and was it successful. Also we were asked if he was eating regular foods. We tried to give him safe options like scrambled eggs, mushed bananas, mashed potatoes and even small pieces of pancakes. Everything we tried to give him it, he’d just touch and feel the texture of the food. He’ll eat the puréed baby food (the fruits and chicken flavored ones). We got a recommendation for an occupational therapist for that. Anyone’s child been through this too. I’m just concerned and worried. First time mom. Even broken down in the car. Maybe I’m overthinking. Just needed to vent.

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Hey mumma! I have no experience with the above but just wanted to say RE the talking - my now 19 month old did not say anything except mamamama and dadada (not in context either) until 1 week before he turned 18 months. One day he started saying 3 words out of absolutely nowhere, it was like he knew them already but just didn’t want to say them yet. It’s so possible your little one has it in him already he just isn’t ready to say it! Mine is still on and off with saying his words, it’s like he picks and chooses when he feels like saying them. I just keep encouraging him!

Wow. It's funny that at that age, a doctor wants to send babies to a specialist. How about giving them time to grow, play, and read. My daughter babbled dadadaddaa until 2. Right after 2 years, she started saying random words, and it's a daily surprise of new words.

I self-referred to my state’s early intervention program at 15 months because my boy had only 5 words/signs with meaning. I self-referred bc his pediatrician said to wait (why wait? To be more behind?) After the evaluation, we started speech, OT, and the infant stimulation program at 16 months. He’s 21 months and has made lots of progress that I’m sure they well exit us soon. Early intervention is such a wonderful service and so beneficial to help close that gap. Starting with an evaluation, you’ll know where he is at and have a plan to where he needs to get to. It’s so much easier to work on the skills now so he is caught up later. I see it only as a positive thing where experts can really provide help and guidance. At the very least, you’ll know where he’s at. At the very best, you’ll get services to build up those skills. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

We went through this with our youngest, at 18 months we got him into the first steps program initially for just speech. It has been amazing!!! He ages out of the program in August but we have learned so much and he has blossomed so much. He’s always been extremely smart, but this has helped him put thoughts together and actually start saying words. We have been lucky enough to get some great people who have picked up on a few other things and we now see speech, OT, and have a playgroup each week all through the program for free. We have seen so much progress with our kiddo and he absolutely loves it all. It has taught us and him so so much.

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