Speech Journey of baby Rian

Rian's activity videos

noreply@blogger.com (mommy_sheila) — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 09:27:00 +0000

My daughter Rian has recently started her own you tube channel-Kiddie Fun Time. She wanted all of her videos to be uploaded in her you tube channel. Some of the videos were taken when we were doing some of the activities posted in this blog. I thought it would be helpful for the readers to see the video :D

Rian is now 8years old!

noreply@blogger.com (mommy_sheila) — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 09:31:00 +0000

It's been over 4 years since I last wrote on my blog. I will probably not writing now if I have not received a message in facebook from Mommy Sheena. She has a son who has a speech delay. She searched for me online because she wanted to know how my daughter is doing now.

Yes, we overcame her speech delay and her hyperactive behaviour. She is now 8 years old. She now speaks and behaves like any other regular kids.

As you know, I took 5 months off from work when she was 4 years old to help my daughter to improve her speech. The five months daily activities were not easy but I kept doing what I think can help her. Every little improvement that my daughter demonstrated was celebrated with hugs and kisses. Slowly, one step at a time her speech continued to improve. Her speech is not perfect, there are times that she’s not understood but she gained the confidence to say again or explain what she was trying to convey. I can say that we are now ripping off all the hard work that we have done in the past.

Currently, she goes to a regular school in New Zealand called Waimataitai school and she does all the activities like everyone else in her class. I am glad that there are mommies like Sheena who is learning from our stories on this blog.

She recently created her own you tube channel- Kiddie Fun Time.

Improve the Sitting Time of Hyperactive Child: 3 minutes to 60 minutes

noreply@blogger.com (mommy_sheila) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 07:37:00 +0000

Journal Date: November 20, 2011

From July until now, I continuously bring with me my toddler in going to church. For the first time in four month we have completed a mass without difficulty. No more attempts to go to another chair. No more attempts to go out and most of all, no more running after her. She just sat beside me playing with her bag. She stands, sings with me. She also prays with me. I have made a prayer for her. She prays it every night and every Sunday in the church.

Patience really is a virtue. Parents need a lot of patient to continuously improve the behavior of a hyperactive child. The key is the gradual changes of their routine. If you have read my Sunday journals, we have started with three minutes sitting time. My child gradually adjusted. I have been using reinforcements to encourage my child to improve more. My primary reinforcement was the food that we bring every Sunday but after two month I stop bringing food to church as advised by her occupational therapist. My secondary reinforcement was a lot of kisses and hugs every Sunday. I showed to her that Mommy is very happy when she behaves inside the church.

It was not as easy as it sounds. You can see in my previous journals that there are Sundays when I felt disappointed because my child seems to go back to where we started. Nevertheless, I just continued bringing her to church. Even three minutes improvement was something that I celebrated.

Until finally our hard work and patience has paid off. I gave her a lot of hugs. I even buy her favorite ice cream. I explained to her that Mommy bought her ice cream because she was a good girl in the church. If you are a mom who struggles to make your child sit for just five more minutes then I suggest that you read my previous articles: Hyperactive Behavior Improvement-Going to Church.

General Guidelines to Detect Speech delay in Children

noreply@blogger.com (mommy_sheila) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 08:05:00 +0000

These are the general guidelines that parents may use to know if a child is developing at a normal pace. Of course, every child is different. Every child has its own unique developmental milestones. Some children may “grow out” speech delay to finally fill-up the gap in their speech development but others don’t. The most painful realization for me as a mother is that my child was so frustrated that other cannot understand her; she finally lost her speaking confidence. I think this was the worst.

Now that I spend more time with her everyday to work on improving her speech, I cannot avoid thinking that her speech delay was also cause by lack of support from us, her parents. She is now four years. For four years she spent most of her time with her baby sitter and in front the television. Although I brought her to Developmental Pediatrician, Speech Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, I also enrolled her in a toddler school, SPED and at the same time regular school, these are not enough. A child needs a parent. Developmental delayed children need extra effort and more support from the people around them.

The most important lesson for me as a parent is that; parents play an important role in the development of our child. We need to guide and help them to be the best that they can be. I feel better now that I have taken a leave to help my child personally. I am now teaching her at home with her Special Education HomeProgram. She is now enrolled in a regular school and she is coping up well.

If you notice any delay compared to the charts below, do not freak out. Help your child. The earlier that we detect speech delay, the better because we can help our child through early intervention.

Vocabulary Milestone of a child:

7-12 months----- some syllables mama, dada

12 months------- 3-5 words

18 months------- 10-20 words

2 years old------ 300 words

2 ½ years old--- 450 words

3 years old------- 1,000 words

Sentence Construction Milestone:

7-12 months------ First true words appear

12 months-------- Use both gestures and vocalizations together.

18 months-------- Early 2-word combinations of words

2 years old------- Puts two words together on, uses pronouns

2 ½ years old--- Child uses past tense, plurals, and combines nouns and verbs

3 years old------- Child can use 3-4 word sentences, Child can tell a simple story

4 years old------- Child talks in 4-5 word sentences, Child will talk in the past tense correctly.

5 years old------- Child uses 5-6 word sentences Child can use different tenses (past, present, future), and many sentence types

Mastery of Different Sound Milestone:

3 years old------------- p, b, n, h, w

3 1/2 years old--------- t, d, k, g, ng

4 years old-------------- f, v

5 years old-------------- l

6 years old-------------- ch, sh, j, th

6 years old-------------- s, z, r, blends

Other Speech and Language Milestone

18 months-------- imitate simple actions, Child will point, hum or sing, follow simple commands

2 years old------- refers to herself by name, make-up play talking with dolls and herself

3 years old------- Child ask many questions what, where, why

4 years old------- Child can give the meaning of words

These are list of the approximate ages at which children should be capable with their speech. However, let us not disregard the fact that children develop differently and may not be able to follow in these exact orders. If you notice at least a oneyear delay versus the milestones, then I suggest that you consider going to Developmental Pediatrician for your peace of mind.

Child Exposure to Multiple Language Causes Speech Delay?

noreply@blogger.com (mommy_sheila) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:12:00 +0000

When I got pregnant with Rian, I have dream of her speaking with me the three languages (Tagalog, English, Ilocano-my native tongue) that I was exposed to. We lived in Tanauan city where two languages are use. In her previous school, her classmate speaks in English more than Tagalog. Moreover, in my hometown Kalinga province people are speaks English, Tagalog, and our dialect-Ilocano.

I was saddened when her speech therapist advised us that we speak to my child in one language only. I told her that I have read many articles in the internet that more than one language will not cause speech delay. The Speech therapist said that this is correct for children who develop the ability to produce speech at the appropriate age. A child with speech delay should be exposed to one language only and that it is only logical that one language is easier to learn compared to two. Since my child knows more English words, we have decided that her primary language is English. After two months, I took a leave from my work to focus on helping her improve her speech. Since cost of living is lower there, we have decided to go home in Kalinga.

Living in a multilingual community makes it impossible to stop her exposure to three languages. Also, schools here encourages raising multilingual children. As an example, let me show how her teacher teaches the three languages in her pre-school.

The door is rectangle (English)

Ang pintuan ay parihaba (Tagalog)

Dayto Ruangan ket paatidug (Ilocano)

What we did, I ask family the family members to speak to her in English. However, during her play time with the kids in the neighborhood they speak in Ilocano. I let it that way and so far I must say that she has improved her speech. The evidence is transparent to my previous post: My Child Developmental Milestone: Vocabulary Achievement.

I therefore conclude that exposing a child to multiple languages does NOT cause speech delay.

My child developmental milestone: Vocabulary Achievements!

noreply@blogger.com (mommy_sheila) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 10:00:00 +0000

This to share with you the list of words that my child learned to use in her day to day activities. Let me remind that my child is diagnosed with mixed expressive and receptive Language delay with behavior concern. Mommies developmental delay child would understand how proud I should be with my child latest achievement. The list is not much but what I am proud most is the confidence that my child is projecting when she is talking now.

I must say that the daily short activity in her school encourages her to gain the confidence. In her new school-Kidspace, they sing the national anthem, do exercise, sing songs with actions, and interpret songs. All of these activities have leaders for every level so all students have a chance to be a leader. It was unexpected but my child enjoys leading in front her classmates. I am so proud of her and very thankful with her teacher because even if my child cannot sing the lyrics of the song well they let her lead almost everyday.

As I am observing she is also shouting now when she calls a person whom she thinks is too far to hear her. Thanks to her playmates. We now live near her cousin houses who were 10 and 8 years old. They are now her constant playmates. Playing with other children encourages her to talk more.

These are the words that can be identified and are being used by my toddler.

July 23, 2011

Pillow
Backpack
pack-away
Bye bye
Bubbles
Mommy
Daddy
Water
Wee wee
Help
Ouch
No
Ok
Yummy
Panty
Slipper
Coke
Stick O’
Ice cream
Cake
Cake
let’s go
Jollibee
Wow
Flower
Egg
Key
Ball
Color
Shower
Juice
More
Bike
Yes
Baby
Jump
Shoes
Hot
Poo poo
Coffee
Give
Dirty
No more
Hi
Boots
Opo
Eto
Ligo
Asim
Dede
Chair
Table

July 29, 2011

53. Watch

54. Jar

55. Push

56. Book

57. Star

August 6, 2011

58. Animal

59. Shoot

60. Dance

61. Milk

62. Car

63. Shirt

August 12, 2011

64. Teacher

65. Hi-five

66. Towel

August 21, 2011

67. Away

68. Wet

69. Cheese

70. Soup

71. Shake

72. Show time

73. Shampoo

74. Wash

75. Sorry

August 28, 2011

76. Pull

77. Cut

78. Choco

79. Hairband

September 6, 2011

80. Kick

81. Wings

82. Stir

83. Finish

84. Ready

85. Found you

October 30

86. Move here

87. Move there

88. Help me mommy

89. Its there

90. Over there

91. Ate’s school

92. boy

93. girl

94. Watch Dora

95. Carry

96. Too high

97. Too heavy

98. Hello

99. Bye everybody

100. Mommy buy ice cream

Have you noticed the 2 words? Just too proud not too mention. I must say we are on the right track.

I'll update my child developmental milestone every month. This way my husband who works abroad can imagine our child progress.

Learning ABC for Toddler

noreply@blogger.com (mommy_sheila) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 10:14:00 +0000

Have you read my previous article: How I gauge my toddler speech program? If you have then you can understand that teaching a speech delayed child is basically the same as teaching English Language to an adult. To have a better understanding please check my article: How I gauge my toddler speech development program.

My child and I have established a schedule that we follow everyday. For your reference please see below:

7:30 – 9:30 --> Go to regular school

9:30 – 10:00 --> Play at school with classmates

10:00 – 12:00 --> Play at home. Physical activities

12:00 – 1:00 --> Lunch

1:00 – 2:30 --> Study time

2:30 – 4:00 --> Nap time

4:00 – 5:00 --> TV time

5:00 – 7:00 --> Play with cousins. Physical and Interactive Activities

7:00 – 8:00 --> TV time

8:00 – 9:30 --> Study time

9:30 --> Bed time

This time I would like to discuss my toddler study time

1.) Increase vocabulary

Everyday we are using flash cards and plastic miniatures for animals, fruits, vegetables. We have started with animals first using 5 flashcards. Once she can know at least 80% of the first cards, I add 5 cards more. Introducing many flash cards to our child is not recommended. Please note that our child needs to feel that she is doing great before she will accept additional cards. Adding more cards without recognizing the first cards will lead to frustration for the child and parent. When that happened, your child might end up hating flash cards so be careful in introducing flash cards to your child. Start with animals or fruits that she already knows. My child started with 5 cards:

First 5 cards: Dog, cat, goat, beetle, Fish

These are the animals that she has seen in actual so she can easily understand that the cards are pictures of actual animals.

Tips and suggestion:

Starts with something that your child knows or finds interesting
Praise your child every card that she can say correctly. For speech delayed children you may expect that she cannot pronounce everything correctly. That’s fine. Just rejoice that your child is saying something. Please note that the saying: “Practice makes perfect” also applies to speech delayed children. Let me explain more by example:

Mommy: what animal is this? (note: you must emphasize the animal for grouping purpose)

My Toddler: Do_ (note: she omits the last letter)

Mommy: very good it is a doggg. (Emphasize the last letter)

You may also include in flash cards intraverbal activities:

Let me explain more by example:

Mommy: what does the dog say?

My toddler: arf! Arf!

Mommy: very good! Who say arf! Arf?

My toddler: the dog

Mommy: you got it! Yehey!

2.) Writing

It is also essential to practice writing in kindergarten because it helps to reinforce phonics and develop reading skills. At first I taught my toddler might be overwhelm if I include writing in her study. Since, we also answer her assignment during study time, we have to include writing. Her new school Kidspace is teaching writing the same time as the letters of the alphabet.

In writing I have learned 3 steps to teach my toddler:

·
1.) Start with tracing.

Mommy: writes in dotted letter the alphabet

My toddler: trace the letters

2.) Using the dot as guide.

After your toddler practiced tracing the letter instead of dotted line, use the dot as a guide

Mommy: writes a dot where the letter start

My toddler: writes using the dot as starting point

3.) Copy the letter

Mommy: writes a letter then write an underline beside it

My toddler: writes the letter on the space with underline

Tips and suggestion:

· ** Mommy use a ballpen so that when your toddler erase yours will not be erased

3.) Reading

To start reading we have to introduce first the letter-sound to our toddler. When learning to read, children who understand the basic sounds of the language can apply letter-sound relations with greater ease.

In reading, I am following below steps:

· Letter Identification

Use of quiz type such as: matching mama A and baby a; matching letter and picture. Encircle the letter a in an array of letters (this is my toddlers favorite).

· Letter - sound relationship

Mommy: What letter is this? (while pointing on the letter)

My toddler: Mama A, Baby a

Mommy: What is the sound of letter A

My toddler: Ah

· Letter consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words.

Start with 3 to 4 letter words familiar to your toddler.

Mommy: What letter is the first letter? (while pointing on the letter)

My toddler: A

Mommy: What is the sound of letter A

My toddler: Ah

Mommy: What is this word? Baby say Ahnntt (exaggerate the pronunciation.

My toddler: Ant

Handling Hyperactivity in toddlers

noreply@blogger.com (mommy_sheila) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 04:57:00 +0000

Do you wander sometimes how our little angels turn into a monster?
Do our children understand what we telling them? Or are they simply hard headed?
I'm sure parents of normal kids sometimes ask these questions.
How much more difficult do you think is the case of parents with hyperactive (ADHD) children?

We all want our children to behave well to make a positive contribution to family life. Sometimes our children can be naughty. Having a hyperactive child can be more difficult sometimes to manage some situations. Let me share with you how I manage my child’s behavior. Mostly I followed what her occupational therapist advised to us.
1.) Set a Routine.

My child and I find structure and a predictable daily routine beneficial.

It is comforting for us to know what’s next in our day, even those things we don’t like. The daily routine helps my child build independence and confidence because she knows what to expect.

2.) Set your rule.

Only parents can make the rules for our household. Explain the rule and every time our child does not follow the rule, she won't get what she wants. A lot of times the parent is allowing King Toddler to rule. That won’t do. Being a parent means being in charge.
Set the boundaries, and when she crosses them, she suffers the consequences. Rules make our child feel safe.

3.) Praise good behavior and correct or ignore bad

Sometimes we are so busy disciplining our child and saying “no” we forget to notice when our child does something right. However, it is more important to notice good behavior than to reprimand bad. Our child feels good when they are told that they are good. Praise as soon as we see positive behavior so this encourages more. Ignore the bad, unless unsafe - with small children, making a fuss about bad behavior gives them attention, which is what they want, and they will repeat the behavior.

4.) Use of reinforcement

Reinforcing stimuli are environmental events that occur after a behavior that increase the likelihood of that behavior occurring in the future. Treats, praise, special privileges, music, toys, virtually anything can be used as reinforcement, if it serves to increase the occurrences of a particular behavior.

Any delivery of primary reinforcement should be paired with secondary reinforcement such as praise, high fives, hugs, kisses. Our target should be to eliminate the primary reinforcement. Let me explain by example:
My child loves jelly ace. I make sure she cannot get them as often as she likes. I use it as my primary reinforcement.

Sample:

Included in her daily activities is her 1 hour of reading and writing. I would tell my child before she starts that if she finishes her activities then she can have her jelly ace. Once she finished, I would always says very good! We do the hi-five and I give her an imaginary star.

5.) Consistency is the key

Lack of consistency means our children feel unsafe, are unsure of our expectations, and have poor cause and effect thinking. Their brains are unable to clearly understand that certain behaviors and actions have certain reliable consequences. They will have trouble relating their own behaviors and choices to corresponding consequences.

Consistency helps our child develop a sense of responsibility since they know exactly what is required of them.

If we have not been consistent with our child, it is never too late to begin. We may find it difficult when beginning to instill good habits and enforce rules. We will most likely be met with resistance that will test our patience. In the long run, however, developing consistent routines, boundaries and consequences will benefit both parent and child.

Get More Free Guide!

Let me share with you our experiences and activities with my child’s:

Developmental Pediatrician;

Occupational Therapist;

Speech Language Pathologist or Therapist;

SPED Teacher

Regular Education Teacher

Free Toddler Activity 6: Sorting and Labelling

noreply@blogger.com (mommy_sheila) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:01:00 +0000

This is the sixth free toddler activities. Try doing it with your child.
I hope you will enjoy it as you have fun in the previous free toddler activities.

Target Lesson: Sorting and labeling of fruits, vegetables, animals
Materials:

Basket/Box
Plastic fruits
Plastic vegetables
Plastic Animals

Step 1:

Mix in 1 box or basket the fruits, vegetables, animals
Mommy ask Rian to sort them by type:
          Mommy: In the left side put all animals as mommy points the location
Rian: my child will look at the basket and get all the animals and put them all in the left side
          Mommy: In the center put all the fruits as mommy points the location
Rian: my child will look at the basket and get all the fruits and put them all in the center side
         Mommy: In the right side put all the vegetables as mommy points the location
Rian: my child will look at the basket and get all the fruits and put them all in the center side

Step 2:

Mommy ask rian to pack-away but before putting them in the basket Mommy ask for each item:

        What vegetable is this?
        What fruit is this?
What animal is this?

Of course we finish the activity with our chant:

Shake your shoulder! Shake Shake!

Hi five!

Give her imaginary star on the hands

Note: Do not forget to praise your child every correct item. Enjoy!

We will be sharing more free toddler activities in my next post.

Free Toddler Activity 5: Folding face towels

noreply@blogger.com (mommy_sheila) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 06:39:00 +0000

This is the fifth free toddler activities. Try doing it with your child.
I hope you will enjoy it as you have fun in the previous free toddler activities.

Target lesson: Understand the word fold

Concept: Fold the face towels

Materials:

Toddlers Face towels

Step 1: Mommy spreads the face towel on the bed

Step 2: Mommy ask Rian to fold ½, then ¼

While Rian folds, Mommy ask her to say fold ½, 1/4

Repeat the activity until all her face towels are folded

After the activity, we do the:

shake your shoulder! Shake Shake!

hi five

Give her imaginary star on the hand

We will be sharing more free toddler activities in my next post.

FreeToddler Activity 4: Fishing

noreply@blogger.com (mommy_sheila) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 06:34:00 +0000

This is the sixth free toddler activities. Try doing it with your child.
I hope you will enjoy it as you have fun in the previous free toddler activities.

Target lesson: Identify letter A, B, C, D / Identify the color

Concept: Fish the correct letter / correct color

Materials:

Color papers

Scissors

Magnet

String

Rod

Moving eyes

Glue

Stapler

Step 1: Mommy cut the colored paper into fish shapes

Step 2: My Toddler paste the ask eyes of fish

And paste the mouth of fish using the staple wire

Step 3: Mommy writes Big and small letter on each fish

Step 4: Mommy make the fishing rod

Tie the magnet in the string

Tie string in the rod

Step 5: Spread the fish on the floor

Mommy asks Rian: Fish letter A

Rian pick up the fish with letter A using the fishing rod

Mommy ask toddler: Fish color Pink

Rian pick up the fish with letter A using the fishing rod

My toddler loves this activity I let her play on her own when she likes.

While playing I hope she can recognize the letters written on each fish

After the activity, we do the:

shake your shoulder! Shake Shake!

hi five

Give her imaginary star on the hands

We will be sharing more free toddler activities in my next post.

FreeToddler Activity 3 : Cut the paper

noreply@blogger.com (mommy_sheila) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 06:32:00 +0000

This is the third free toddler activities. Try doing it with your child.
I hope you will enjoy it as you have fun in the previous free toddler activities.

Target lesson: Understand the word cut and improve the control of hand movement

Concept: Cutting the paper

Materials:

Scissors

A4 white paper

Ruler

Pencil

Step 1: Mommy writes straight lines on the A4 white paper

Step 2: My toddler cuts the paper using the scissor

While she cuts the paper mommy ask her to say cut cut cut….

After the activity, we do the:

shake your shoulder! Shake Shake!

hi five!

Give her imaginary star on the hands

We will be sharing more free toddler activities in my next post.

Free Toddler Activity 2: Ball Play

noreply@blogger.com (mommy_sheila) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 06:31:00 +0000

This is the second free toddler activities. Try doing it with your child.
I hope you will enjoy it as you have fun in the previous free toddler activities.

Target Lesson: Colors

Material Used:

2 basket

20 Balls with different colors

4 Yellow

4 Blue

4 Red

4 Violet

4 Orange

Step 1: Mommy ask my toddler to catch the ball before throwing each ball, we ask her:

What is the color of this ball?

The sequence is always by set; meaning: 4 consecutive red, 4 blue

If she says the color correctly: Mommy says very good!

If she doesn’t know the color; Rian says any color

In this case Mommy reply: No No! this ball is color blue!

To make it more fun, after we finish all the balls mommy sings with:

Shake your shoulder, shake your shoulder, Shake! Shake! Shake!

Hi five!

Mommy gives her imaginary star on her hands

Step 2: We ask my toddler to shoot the ball in the basket but before throwing each ball we ask to look for the color that mommy ask her. I am holding the basket so she cannot shoot if she will not pick the correct color.

Mommy: Baby Shoot color blue

My Toddler: she will look for the 4 balls with color blue then shoot it in consecutive order.

To make it more fun, after we finish all the balls mommy sings with:

Shake your shoulder, shake your shoulder, Shake! Shake! Shake!

Hi five!

Mommy gives her imaginary star on her hands

Note: to make sure that she really understands the color, mommy request requests in random order

We will be sharing more free toddler activities in my next article.

Free Toddler Activity 1: Shapes and colors.

noreply@blogger.com (mommy_sheila) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 06:28:00 +0000

Have fun with this first free toddler activities. Let your toddler play while learning her shapes and colors.

I hope you will enjoy it as we have fun as shown in the picture.

Target Lesson: Identify the different shapes and colors

Concept: Sorting, Labeling shapes and colors

Materials:

Colored paper

Scissors

Paste

Small Containers

Big container

A4 size paper

Step 1: Mommy cuts the colored paper with different shapes (circle, square, rectangle, oval, heart, triangle). Each shapes has the same color. All circles are color orange…

Step 2: Mommy mix the different shapes in the big container

Step 3: My toddler sort the shapes in the small container. All circles in one small container, All square in another container...

Step 4: Mommy Draw the big shapes in the A4 paper

Step 5: My toddler paste the cut shapes in the A4 paper

After the activity, we sing the:

Shake your shoulder! Shake Shake!

Hi five!

Give her imaginary star on the hands

Make these free toddler activities a part of your daily routine, it will help your day flow a little smoother and be less stressful- who doesn't want that?!

We will be sharing more free toddler activities in my next articles.

Tips:
-Please, please, please make sure your toddler stays away while you cut out the shapes.

Baby Rian's visit to Speech-Language Pathologist Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (mommy_sheila) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 07:18:00 +0000

Journal date: July 2011
Rian's Age: 3 years old and 10 months

This is the official result of the evaluation done by a Speech Language Pathologist of my baby Rian as I explained in my previous post: Baby Rian's visit to Speech language Pathologist Part 1

Demographic Data

Name of Patient: Czerina Kate Hernandez    Age: 3:10                        Sex: F
Medical Diagnosis: Speech Delay                                                             DOB: September 1, 2007
Address: Tinurik, Tanauan, Batangas

Clinical Impression

This is the case of Czerina Kate Hernandez, a 3 year old girl, who was seen to have Mixed Receptive and Expressive Language Delay with concomitant behavioral concerns as characterized by:

A. Behavior
       1. Poor attention span
       2. Poor impulse control
       3. Fair sitting span
       4. Fair compliance
       5. Presence of off-task behaviors

B. Delayed language skills

     1. Delayed inner language

Age-inappropriate skills seen in dimensions of symbolic play

2. Delayed receptive language

Limited vocabulary and concepts (e.g. nouns, verbs)
Discriminating common objects used in activities of daily living, familiar and less familiar objects and people, animals, food, toys
Naming and discriminating action in pictures
Limited answering questions (e.g. yes/no, what regarding preference, object identity/function)
Limited following commands (e.g. routine commands; 1-2 step commands 2-4 critical elements)
Limited ability in integrative thinking skills (e.g. association, part-whole relationship)

3. Delayed Expressive language

Limited ability to denote/code vocabulary and concepts (e.g. nouns, verbs) using gestures or 1-word utterances for the purpose of discourse-respond/commenting
Presence of jargons
Limited intent to communicate

Recommendations

Based from the evaluation and analysis of results acquired, the following are respectfully recommended:
      A. Regular one-on-one speech and language therapy once a week focusing on the following:
          1. Behavior management
              a. Increasing sitting span, attention span and compliance to structured tasks through positive    reinforcements and verbal prompts
              b. Increasing impulse control though close monitoring and verbal prompts
              c. Decreasing off-task behaviors through redirection, close monitoring and verbal prompts
          2. Improving language skills
              a. Facilitating age-appropriate play skills
              b. Increasing concepts and vocabulary through language stimulation techniques
              c. Improving auditory comprehension (e.g. answering, questions, following commands)
              d. Facilitating acquisition of integrative thinking skills
              e. Increasing specific gestures and 1-2 word utterances
      B. Referral to occupational therapy for further behavior management
    C. Discussion with family about results of evaluation and goals for intervention
      D. Caregiver education about the child’s present skills and condition, and language stimulation techniques that can be facilitated at home
    E. Re-evaluation after six months to one year of continuous therapy to monitor the child’s progress.

Evaluated by Speech Pathologist:
Kaycee L. Farol, SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist

Baby Rian's visit to Speech language Pathologist Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (mommy_sheila) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 07:15:00 +0000

Let me share to you what happens when my baby Rian was evaluated by Speech Language Pathologist.

Schedule to a Developmental Pedia: 1 month leadtime. It means that if you want your child to be evaluated on September, you must call for a schedule in August.

Check-up Fee: 1,100 pesos

No. of hours check-up is conducted: 1 hr

Where: Mercado Hospital Tanuan

Speech Languange Pathologist: Kaycee Farol

Part 1: Speech Language Pathologist ask Mommy to fill-up a form while playing with Rian

Sample questions in the form:

Pregnancy problems/abnormalities

Development Delay: What month was she able to say mama

What year was she able to walk

Words that she can say now

Part 11: Imitation of Alphabet sound while playing: Toy used playing was blocks.

Before she gives 1 block to Rian, Speech Language Pathologist ask her to identify the toys.

A--> pronounce Ah

B--> pronounce Bah

C--> pronounce Cah

D--> pronounce Dah

E--> pronounce Eh

F--> pronounce Fah

G--> pronounce Gah

…

Z--> pronounce Zah

Part 111: Identify toys.Toy used playing was blocks.

Before Speech Language Pathologist gives 1 block to Rian, she ask her to identify the toys.

Sample Toys:

Plate

Spoon

Fork

Book

Doll

Part 1V: Check Tongue and Ear

Ear: Speech Language Pathologist let Rian play around 2 meters away from her then she calls her

Good sign: She must look at therapist when called by her name

Tongue: Speech Language Pathologist ask Rian to show her tongue. Then ask her to move up and down her tongue.

Summary of Findings:

1.) No problem with her ears

2.) No problem with her tongue

3.) Difficulty in saying: F and S

4.) Echolalia

5.) Limited vocabulary

Recommendations:

1.) Since we are using 3 dialects at home: tagalog, ilocano, English. Therapist said that we must concentrate on one dialect only. We must identify her primary language. We must write down her current vocabulary, if most of the words she know is English then English is her primary language. When talking to her, we must talk to her in English only.

We can introduce 3 dialects at the same if the child does not have speech delay. However, since Rian is delayed in her speech then we must concentrate on one language only

2.) Next step is to increase her vocabulary. One of the reasons why a child cannot communicate is the lack of vocabulary. She simply doesn’t know the word to use to express her thoughts.

To see the official result provided by the Speech Language Pathologist, you check my post: Baby Rian's visit to Speech language Pathologist Part 2

Hyperactive Behavior Improvement : Going to church 2

noreply@blogger.com (mommy_sheila) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 08:50:00 +0000

Below are my notes that I promise to share with you in my previous blog: Hyperactive behavior Improvement: Going to Church 1

Journal Date: July 29, 2011

This is our first visit to the church. As advised we went on a Saturday. As expected there were few people inside the church. We stayed at the church for 20 minutes. Let me narrate what happened in 20 minutes:

Upon Arriving, my baby wanted to roam around. She sat down but every 20 seconds, she stands. After 5 minutes, she transferred to the chair at the back, I followed her. Another, 5 minutes of holder her but it was a struggle. I ask her to go, she said let’s go. My baby knows I was upset then. I ask her to face the wall at the entrance and she cried. Our practice at home is that she faces the wall when she is naughty”.

Moreover, we went back inside the church. However, my toddler did not sit just stand beside me. As I observe her maximum sitting time is 3 minutes. The other 7 minutes is standing and stopping her from going to another chair.

Teacher Malou’s comment: Good try! More…

Journal Date: August 6, 2011

This is our second visit to the church. Again we went on a Saturday. As expected there were few people inside the church. We stayed at the church for 20 minutes. Let me narrate what happened in 20 minutes:

It was a big improvement compared to last week. My baby sat down for 20 minutes. What an achievement! There were movements from where she sat for 1 meter but she remains seated. There was an attempt to stand but when Mommy says no, she follows. There was no standing and moving to another chair, thus, I was able to teach her to pray.

Thanks God! Next week we will try to go on a Sunday.

Journal Date: August 14, 2011

This is our third visit to the church. This time we went on a Sunday. We went on a second mass so that there are not so many people inside the church. We sat where we sat every Saturday. We brought 3 cookies and 2 toys.

For the first 15 minutes, my baby was busy eating cookies. After that she remains seated and stands up when Mommy stands up. The next 15 minutes, she played with her toy.

After 30 minutes, my baby attempted to go to another chair as the people beside us left. I ask her to go back and sit and she did.

After 45 minutes, she attempted again to go to another chair but I hug my baby and said to her to remain in her sit. When she saw that there are many people moving out after 1 hour, my baby said to me “Let’s go” while pulling my hand.

I must say so far, so good. We were able to finish the mass. We’ll do it again next Sunday. I feel great that I can go now to mass with my baby.

Journal Date: August 21, 2011

This is our fourth visit to the church. We continued to go on a Sunday. We went on a second mass so that there are not so many people inside the church. We sat where we sat every Saturday. We brought 3 cookies and 2 toys.

We arrived at 9:45 in the morning.

9:45 ~10:00: My baby ate the cookies

10:00~10:15: My baby stands, kneel, sings with Mommy

10:20~10:30: My baby attempted to go to another chair. I hug her and ask her to please sit down.

10:30~10:45: My baby wanted to go. It was a struggle to keep her seated. I told her to face the wall if she doesn’t behave but it did not work. Around 5 times of pulling back to her sit.

Today was a difficult one, although she has not roamed around. I hope next week will be better.

Teacher Malou’s comment: make sue that the cookies not provoke hyperactivity. Please give her heavy breakfast so that she will not eat inside the church. Please give the(cookies) rewards after the act.

Journal Date: August 28, 2011

This is our fifth visit to the church. It is Sunday. This time, instead of cookies we brought cheese cake and juice. Also, my baby ate heavy breakfast before we went to the church.

9:45 ~10:00: My baby stands, kneel, sings with Mommy

10:00~10:15: She ate her snack

10:15~10:30: My baby stands, kneel, sings with Mommy

10:30~10:45: she attempted to go to another chair. It was a struggle to keep her seated. She wanted to go. Around 4 times of pulling her back to her seat.

Although it was still difficult at the end of the mass, I must say my baby still has improved!

She did not open her snack for 15 minutes. We’ll try 30 minutes next sunday.

Hyperactive behavior Improvement: Going to Church 1

noreply@blogger.com (mommy_sheila) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 08:46:00 +0000

Journal date: September 2011
Rian's Age: 4 years old

One of my difficulty with my hyperactive child is attending mass. We are a Roman Catholic, thus, the mass takes one hour. With my baby Rian, we simply cannot finish the mass, we cannot even stay half the mass.
It is very tiring to keep on running after her. Upon arrival in the church, she starts roaming around.

I have consulted teacher Malou, she said it could be that it has nothing to do with her hyperactivity it was just her practice. She ask me what have I done to improve her behavior in the church. I said nothing, I just stopped bringing her with me. Teacher Malou said doing this will not improve anything. She advised me to start going to church every Saturday so there are no people around. We just go there to sit. My baby has to understand that we have to remain seated when we go to the church.

One more important note from her is that I should not expect my baby to keep seated for one hour during the first visit. We should expect gradual improvement. For instance, for the first visit I can bring a toy to keep her busy and we can stay for fifteen minutes only. The next we shall try 20 minutes, then the next visit we can stay longer. Teacher Malou ask me to write down in a notebook how the visits go then I give to her every week so she can make recommendations if necessary. Let me share to you my notes in my next blog: Hyperactive baby going to church .

Tips in Choosing the Best School for Children with Special needs

noreply@blogger.com (mommy_sheila) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 05:51:00 +0000

Journal date: August 2011
Rian's age: 3 years and 11 months

Before I enrolled Rian to another SPED, I had to make sure this time that we get the value of our money.
We have found Carolina SPED in Tanauan. I had chance to talk to their head Ms Malou Panghulan for about 3 hours. I had a chance a to ask questions and she was able to clear out my doubts with SPED. Below are some topics that we have discussed:

1.) SPED Teacher vs Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapists (OT) Help patients improve their ability to perform tasks in living and working environments. They work with individuals who suffer from a mentally, physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabling condition. For children, OT help with various needs improve their cognitive, physical, and motor skills and enhance their self-esteem and sense of accomplishment.

Special Education Division (SPED) Teacher Holders of diploma in Special Education program (DSPED). They enhance the knowledge and skills of students on the needs of special children in school and at home. Below are the subjects included in the diploma in Special Education Program:

Preparation of Instructional Materials for students with Disabilities in Early Childhood, Middle Childhood & Late Childhood
Methods & Strategies for teaching children with Special Needs
Nature, Concepts & Theories of Learning Disabilities
Assessment of Children & youth with Special Needs
Psychology and Guidance of Exceptional Children
Classroom Management for Special Education
Curriculum Development
Introduction to SPED

2.) Open room vs close room vs room with cubicles

I ask Teacher Malou, if there room is an open one because in childs nook school their room is open. If there are 3 children inside, it is difficult for the child to stay focus even if they have their own teacher. According to Teacher Malou:

They have all 3 kinds of rooms available. Let me share the purpose of each room as explained by Teacher Malou:

Enclosed Room: This room is used for special children with short attention span (10 mins).
Room with cubicle: Once the child improves her attention span, teacher must transfer to cubicle.
The child must learn to tolerate slight noise/clatter.
Open room: Once a child learns to focus in the cubicle room, teacher must transfer to open room.
A child must stay focus even if there are people moving around.

3.) Different skills to gauge speech development

Cooperation and reinforcer Effectiveness: ability of a child to scan the materials and look at the teacher to seek for instruction for the next task without prompts.

Visual Performance: ability of a child to match identical or group of pictures, regular and irregular shapes

Receptive language: ability of a child to comply to do motor tasks

Motor Imitation: ability of a child to imitate a motor movement for the same number of repetitions as was just modeled.

Vocal Imitation: ability of a child to accurately imitate words which contains consonant blends

Requests: ability of a child to make eye contact when asking a person what she wants even the item is not around

labeling: ability of a child to accurately label objects, pictures, colors, numbers and ongoing actions

Intraverbal: ability of a child to accurately answer personal information, fill in the remaining word in phrase naming the function of an item

4.) Importance of Target Setting
Short Term: 3 months
Long Term: 1 year

5.) Importance of family support to improve the condition of the child

Enrolling our child in a school for special needs is not enough. Reinforcement at home is very important since the time of our child with their SPED teacher is very limited. For my child, it was only four days a week and 1 hour daily. Thus, there more times spent at home. A weekly instruction from SPED teacher is very helpful to speed up the improvement.

Speech Delay evaluated by Developmental Pedia

noreply@blogger.com (mommy_sheila) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:43:00 +0000

Journal date: April 2010
Rian's age: 2 years and 7 months

What happens when Rian was evaluated by Developmental Pedia

Schedule to a Developmental Pedia: 1 month leadtime. It means that if you want your child to be evaluated on September, you must call for a schedule in August.

Where to get the contact number of Developmental Pedia: You may search this site. Available Developmental Pedia is specified by province

Check-up Fee: 2,200 pesos

No. of hours check-up is conducted: 1 hr

Where: Doctors Hospital, Calamba

Developmental Pedia: Dr. Joel Lazarro

What does the clinic look like? It looks like a play room with a desk.

Upon Arrival, the doctor brings with him a trolley full of toys.

He let Rian play the toys. After few minutes, the doctor plays with Rian.

He asked if she can identify the toys there. Below are the toys he asked Rian to play with:

1.) Kitchen utensils: Spoon, fork, plate, cup

à Doctor needs to know if she knows how to use the basic kitchen utensils

2.) Doll, Feeding Bottle

à Doctor needs to know if she knows that feeding bottles are for babies

3.) Wood Puzzle

à Doctor needs to know the level of abstract thinking of Rian. He started with simple puzzle until the complex puzzle if she can do it

4.) Question and Answer

à Doctors needs to know if she understands what he tells her.

Sample 1: That is Barney (while pointing at Barney); Doctor said a child must look where he is pointing

Sample 2: Where is Barney? Doctor said a child must point where Barney is

According to the Doctor, most important sign that a child is normal is that a child must be able to look eye to eye when talking.

The findings and recommendations were discussed with the parents after the evaluation.

Baby Rian's Speech Delay and hyperactive behavior

noreply@blogger.com (mommy_sheila) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 07:20:00 +0000

Baby Rian was 2 years when we noticed that she was not talking clearly as her cousin who is 2 months younger than her. She was also very active. She loves to run, jump, climb our sofa. It's as if she doesn't get tired.

She was 2 years and 2 months old when we decided that we bring her to a developmental Pedia.
To my surprise, there are not so many developmental Pedia in the Philippines. Thus, you need at least a month to get a schedule. I beg the developmental Pedia (Dr. Joel Lazaro) of Calamba to insert my daughter in his schedule so that she will be checked before my husband goes abroad to work. I would like him to hear what the doctor has to say.

Last April 201, she was scheduled to be checked by Dr Lazaro.

Result of the check-up:

1.) Most important: She is Normal. She can look eye to eye with the doctor.
2.) She is 1 year delay with her speech
3.) She has short attention span

Recommendation:

1.) We must enroll her to a toddler school so that she can mingle with other kids.
According to him, kids talk is different from adult talk so she needs other kids to talk to her.

2.) Occupational therapist is not necessary but it won't hurt if we try to enroll her in Special education (SPED)

3.) If after a years and she still doesn't talk as expected, she needs speech therapist but before we bring her to Speech therapist she must improve her attention span. She must learn to listen for 1 hr.

My husband and I decided to enroll her to SPED last May, 2010.

Speech delayed Rian: from Toddler to Nursery

noreply@blogger.com (mommy_sheila) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 03:48:00 +0000

From September to March, Rian studied in toddler school.
When we enrolled her, we have explained to her situation so that the school will know.
She accepted her even when they know that she is hyperactive and speech delay. They said they will observe and make recommendation if it is necessary for her to go back to SPED.
Her schedule was 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM. She loves to go to school.
She wakes up when we tell hershe will go to school. For me, this was a big improvement because when she was in SPED, she cries when we tell her to go to school.

She has learned some new words, unfortunately, after a year she still cannot speak the way other kids of her age does. Nevertheless, she has received an award during their recognition day: Most improved in motor skill.
My husband and I was thinking then that she will talk soon. Like some other kids it was just delayed.

During the enrollment for SY2011, I ask her teacher if she can join the nursery or stay in Toddler level. Her teacher said that it is better for her to join the nursery. She can follow school activities, the only problem is her speech delay. Her teacher also added that there will be more students who can speak well in nursery so it would be better for Rian. With her teachers comment, we enrolled her in nursery level.

It was July when her teacher and the head ask me to to visit them. They even mentioned that it was important and urgent so I had to take a leave from work. It was painful to know that my kid is not catching up quite well. Below is her teachers observation and recommendation:

Observations:
Nursery has 1 hour lecture, she cannot keep focus for 1 hour listening to her teacher. Her maximum sitting time is 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, she roams around the room and worst she stays below the table. Thus, she cannot cope with the lessons.

Recommendations:
She may stay in regular school but they recommend to enroll her in SPED. The goal is to improve her hyperactive behavior so she can stay focus.She can go to regular class from 8:00 to 10:00 AM then after she can go to SPED for an hour.

After our talk with the teachers, I felt guilty. I have been too much worried with her speech delay, I had not noticed that her Hyperactive behavior is now a bigger hindrance to her studies. With this information, we had decided to follow the teachers recommendation. I need to do what is best for my child. My only worry is that she might get tired since she needs to stay in school much longer than usual.

Finding the right Toddler School in Tanauan for children with Speech delay

noreply@blogger.com (mommy_sheila) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 03:03:00 +0000

Journal date: August, 2011
Rian's age: 3 years and 11 months

In August 2010, I had to look for a regular school for Rian.
Looking for the right school for a hyperactive and speech delayed child is something that I have to consider.
I had to visit all the the schools and below are are my considerations:

1.) It should have a SPED near the school
2.) Play and learn method of teaching
3.) No. of students per class: My target is max: 10
4.) At least 2 of her Classmates should be talking well so she can learn from them
5.) Teacher should NOT be newly graduate
6.) Teacher aid (assistant of Teacher) should be available
7.) School should be air conditioned
8.) Receives 3 year old kids
9.) It should have a gate
10.) It should have a guard in the gate so that children cannot go out without their yaya

Luckily, I found a school in Tanauan that has a SPED as sister school.
The name of her school is Penleigh and the SPED is Carolina.

Having a SPED sister school makes my best option. Their regular school can make recommendation should my daughter needs needs to go back to SPED to improve her speech delay and hyperactive behavior.

Enrolling a speech delay and hyperactive child in SPED

noreply@blogger.com (mommy_sheila) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 02:48:00 +0000

Journal Date: September, 2011
Rian's age: 4 years old

Rian stayed at Childs Nook for Four months.
What has she learned in four months?

She learns below words but all started with action first:

1.) Open
2.) Close
3.) Give
4.) Help
5.) Wee wee
6.) Poo poo

After four months, my husband and I feel that the improvement on her hyperactive behavior and speech delay was slow so we decided to transfer her in a regular school in toddler class. Anyway, in the first place it was the recommendation of her developmental Pedia.

First SPED School of Baby Rian: speech delay and hyperactive behavior

noreply@blogger.com (mommy_sheila) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 02:35:00 +0000

Journal Date: May 2010
Baby Rian's age: 2 years and 3 month old

As the parent of a child with speech delay and hyperactive behavior we are very eager to enroll her in SPED.
We have high hopes that SPED will improve my daughters condition.
Last May 2010, we have enrolled Rian in a SPED called Child's Nook located in Tanauan, Batangas.

Below was her schedule and fees:

Tuition fee: 6,500 pesos per month
Schedule:   8:00 to 10:00 AM
Teacher:    Occupational Therapist
Mode of Teaching: One is to One

What the room looks like?

Square shape: no cubicle
Ventilation: With Aircon
Student per hour: 3 students with 3 Teachers

Observations:

1.) Since there is no cubicle, easily distracted children cannot focus on their lesson
2.) There is no Aid to assist the children. When Rian pooped, they waited for my yaya to arrived.
3.) There is no spare teacher, thus when one is absent 2 children share 1 teacher. Mostly students with 1 hours session is prioritize over the child with 2 hours session.
4.) No lecture/orientation on how to continue activity at home
5.) No Target set (short term or long term) so you don't know what to expect as a parent
6.) No SPED teacher only OT
7.) With Monthly child assessment

Recommendation:

Child's Nook is cheaper as compared to other SPED school. If your short on a budget, you may try this school then request from the head below most important things:

1.) Assessment of your child upon entry in their school. They usually ask for 2 weeks observation before they give the report

2.) Short and long term plan. Target for your child should be clear so that parent would know what to expect.
     Short term : 3 months plan
     Long term : 1 year plan

3.) Orientation for yaya or parent so that you may know how to continue her activities at home.
     This should be done every week. The yaya should be allowed to go inside the room to observe so she can   see how to conduct the activity.

I believe that as a parent,SPED must make what they can do for your children so that it won't result to frustration. We are paying high tuition fee so we must get back the value of our money. For instance, for Rian's case she is hyperactive and speech delayed. What is the priority of the school? or what should be treated first?

With our experience with this school I have become more cautious in choosing a school for my child.