My 2.5 year old son was recently diagnosed with SPD by a clinical psychologist in our area. She observed our son 1-on-1 for an hour and for 3 hours in his preschool. She was clear to say that he doesn't have autism when we asked her (multiple times). We've scheduled him for 3 OT and 1 ST per week at a local center. We've agreed to monitor his program and re-evaluate him after 6 months.
The Dr. told us that his developmental level is at 18 months and that his language should improve after OT and ST. At this point, he uses delayed echolalia and jargon, but I'm really worried that he is using delayed echolalia a lot. I've read that it is a normal part of speech development, but I just want to be sure that we haven't overlooked anything. He's a very smart child. He knows the ABC's, 1,2,3's in English and Arabic, shapes, colors, names of animals. He will say them as he plays with them and sometimes when prompted while playing.
Should I be continue to be concerned? Will it get better? I'm so worried.
It's wonderful that you're getting OT and ST while your son is still so young. The earlier the intervention, the better the results=a more normally functioning life for your child. When my daughter was 2.5, she only spoke in two word phrases, and understanding her was very, very difficult. She's been getting speech therapy since she was three, and I can say now her speech is nearly at age level (5.5), and pretty much everyone can understand her. Occasionally, we have to remind her to slow down and say her words clearly, but that's about it. The only two sounds she still struggles with are "th" and "r", but our ST tells us that's pretty normal for many 5 year olds. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by your son's improvement at the 6 month re-evaluation. Make sure you ask for a copy of the current evaluation and then the re-evaluation so you can see it on paper. My daughter started OT last July, and was re-evaluated after three months. When I saw a copy of the re-evaluation, I wouldn't believe the improvement in little things I hadn't really noticed. I recently read a book that estimated that kids with SPD are generally about one-third of their age behind developmentally. That's pretty accurate for my daughter socially and emotionally. She's at age level intellectually and physically. So, should you be concerned? Probably not, but stay on top of his therapy and continue to educate yourself regarding ways you can help him at home to adapt and compensate for his limitations. He will get better, but it's a slow road. Worrying won't change it. We can just accept it and do the best we can to love them and meet their needs.
My daughter is almost two and half years old and she has three consist words.. dada, ba, and hot. So I would love if she had the ABC and other items.
It is normal to be scared since everything is so new. I just got the diagnose in February but have known something is off for awhile. Take as much help as you are offered so the process can start now and not when they have to start in school environments.
Congradulations! Shocks can hold the keys to treatment and a better life.I know you are scared thats natural. It will fade and you will adjust. So now that you have gotten treatment for your son he will get much much better! He also has the enormous advantage of this day and age and all the knowledge about treatment of sensory integration dysfunction. You are in for an adventure. You will help him to make his life not only managable but wonderful! There are books to help you. The out of sinc child is great! Also the out of sinc child has fun is terrific. You will never have to worry about him being undiagnosed and suffering until he is an adult.Treatment will improve his sensory integration to make it more normal. Or possibly better than normal.Then when he is age 7 he will be the right age for the learning breakthrough which is an absolute miracle for sensory integration. I found out about it because I found out that OTA of Watertown MA uses it. So I purchased it as an adult and did it faithfully for 3 years.I can pretty much be comfortable in most environments assuming that there are not other factors messing my sensory integration up like pressure on my ears.This is as an adult. I am wondering if done at age 7 will he have any sensory integration dysfuction left. What a blessing you and your son have!