Has anyone had a child have a speech delay due to hearing loss or autism?

I recently had my ds qualify for speech services. He is 2.5 and not speaking much. The evaluator just called and also mentioned that they want to set up an appointment for a special hearing test (which I knew about) and also possible check for autism. Have any of you had this done with your dc's. I don't think my ds shows any of the signs for autism, but she did mention their is always a chance of a "slight" case. Has anyone heard such a thing? Help, anyone please......

Re: Has anyone had a child have a speech delay due to hearing loss or autism?

Makes sense since children with autism typically have a speech delay

Re: Has anyone had a child have a speech delay due to hearing loss or autism?

A family member's son went through all the tests. At almost 2.5 years old he's making great progress with speech with his therapist-before the therapist he only yelled and screamed to communicate.
He has sensory issues and a speech delay. His therapist comes a couple times a week.

Re: Has anyone had a child have a speech delay due to hearing loss or autism?

my cousin was 3 and barely spoke any words at all! just a few.

she worked with a speech therapist and is now a well adjusted, healthy 9 year old!

Re: Has anyone had a child have a speech delay due to hearing loss or autism?

My DS also has a speech delay. He is 15 months, we are going to do the same testing now. I just wanted to wish you luck with it.

Re: Has anyone had a child have a speech delay due to hearing loss or autism?

Thanks! You too!

Re: Has anyone had a child have a speech delay due to hearing loss or autism?

Did they indicate why they want to look into autism? I think its good that they're testing him for it, but I'd also want to know what symptoms/signs they observed that has them concerned about it.

Speech is usually the first red flag area that parents pick up on....but that doesn't necessarily mean that every child with a speech delay has autism. Good luck and let us know if we can help any more.

Re: Has anyone had a child have a speech delay due to hearing loss or autism?

My son started speech at 2 due to a hearing loss. Tubes were put in ears.

Re: Has anyone had a child have a speech delay due to hearing loss or autism?

The therapist didn't really clarify. She said that it is something that they can look into if it warrants it...whatever that means. She says he qualifies for speech and recommend a hearing test. She said their school does them (but I would have to wait until after our meeting on the 3rd). I'm going to call tomorrow to see if I can get one on my own to at least feel that I'm doing something. Thanks everyone!

Re: Has anyone had a child have a speech delay due to hearing loss or autism?

Hi!.... Autism is a large spectrum of disorders, in which having a speech delay is often a symptom of a disorder... but there needs to be delays in other areas too... this includes self-help, communication, daily living skills, and socialization... in isolation, no a speech delay does not indicate autism... if he is making eye contact, socializes with his siblings are peers, then you are fine :)... The autistic spectrum is todays catchphrase, like ADHD had been 10 years ago... good luck and let me know

Re: Has anyone had a child have a speech delay due to hearing loss or autism?

Keep this in mind- even if a child does present at a young age with autism-like symptoms, it could be the result of communication and behavior-issues related to their inability to communicate. the sooner a child gets services, the better the chances he will develop the skills needed to communicate, and he could make astronomical improvements across the board!

Good luck!!!

Re: Has anyone had a child have a speech delay due to hearing loss or autism?

Posted by lipglossjunky73

Keep this in mind- even if a child does present at a young age with autism-like symptoms, it could be the result of communication and behavior-issues related to their inability to communicate. the sooner a child gets services, the better the chances he will develop the skills needed to communicate, and he could make astronomical improvements across the board!

Good luck!!!

Message edited 2/18/2008 9:19:15 PM.

Re: Has anyone had a child have a speech delay due to hearing loss or autism?

i have 3 boys.. one who has aspergers ( a form of autism), one with a slight case of PDD (another form of autism) ,and another who was at 15 months "diagnosed" by a neurologist with a slight case of autism or PDD who is now 2 and definitly NOT either. All started out with a speech delay..
I remember a post you posted last week about your son having an expressive delay rather than a receptive delay. This is good news. Autism usually has a bigger weakness in receptive language, ie... answering to thier names, turning when called, eye contact and pointing to things that they want. Sometimes a speech delay is just that.. a speech delay.. i think they are trying to rule out alot of kids for autism since it is common nowadays.. but i wouldn't worry just yet if i were you.. FM if you have questions.. i 'd be glad to answer them for you.

Re: Has anyone had a child have a speech delay due to hearing loss or autism?

Posted by KerriSteve

Posted by lipglossjunky73

Keep this in mind- even if a child does present at a young age with autism-like symptoms, it could be the result of communication and behavior-issues related to their inability to communicate. the sooner a child gets services, the better the chances he will develop the skills needed to communicate, and he could make astronomical improvements across the board!

Good luck!!!

You can develop autism from an inability to communicate?

Re: Has anyone had a child have a speech delay due to hearing loss or autism?

Re: Has anyone had a child have a speech delay due to hearing loss or autism?

Posted by lipglossjunky73

I remember a post you posted last week about your son having an expressive delay rather than a receptive delay. This is good news. Autism usually has a bigger weakness in receptive language, ie...

Yes...

To add to what Kristi is saying (very well ) - the biggest issue when it comes to autism and language is not so much the lack of speech - its the lack of understanding. People with autism have difficulty understanding language - spoken or nonverbal - and that is what really makes things difficult. If a child can understand what he is hearing, but cannot speak as well, that is less of a concern, because at least the child demonstrates that language has meaning to them, and there is a purpose to speaking... if that makes sense...

Re: Has anyone had a child have a speech delay due to hearing loss or autism?

Posted by lipglossjunky73

I remember a post you posted last week about your son having an expressive delay rather than a receptive delay. This is good news. Autism usually has a bigger weakness in receptive language, ie...

Yes...

To add to what Kristi is saying (very well ) - the biggest issue when it comes to autism and language is not so much the lack of speech - its the lack of understanding. People with autism have difficulty understanding language - spoken or nonverbal - and that is what really makes things difficult. If a child can understand what he is hearing, but cannot speak as well, that is less of a concern, because at least the child demonstrates that language has meaning to them, and there is a purpose to speaking... if that makes sense...

Re: Has anyone had a child have a speech delay due to hearing loss or autism?

it could be entirely behavioral.. it can be something else, like hearing or maybe the child is very into what they are doing. does the child have siblings? younger siblings tend to learn to play by themselves... not need much attention..

Re: Has anyone had a child have a speech delay due to hearing loss or autism?

Posted by JTK

it could be entirely behavioral.. it can be something else, like hearing or maybe the child is very into what they are doing. does the child have siblings? younger siblings tend to learn to play by themselves... not need much attention..

Re: Has anyone had a child have a speech delay due to hearing loss or autism?

Posted by KerriSteve

Posted by JTK

it could be entirely behavioral.. it can be something else, like hearing or maybe the child is very into what they are doing. does the child have siblings? younger siblings tend to learn to play by themselves... not need much attention..

I'm so sorry, I don't mean to hijack the post.
No he is an only child. He def. does interact with me, but he is all over the place usually, and he does not pay too much attention to me. He would prefer to empty every cabinet and drawer. Also most of the time when I call his name he doesnt give me a second look. He makes eye contact, and babbles and everything. But he is a little slow at some things... All that on top of the speech delay is making me crazy... I guess I just have to wait and see.
Like I said I'm really sorry to hijack your post.

Re: Has anyone had a child have a speech delay due to hearing loss or autism?

Re: Has anyone had a child have a speech delay due to hearing loss or autism?

Thank you all so much for all of your information and advice. I'm going to call today to try and schedule the hearing test. I'll keep everyone updated on anything I find out. Thanks again you ladies are a godsend!!!