When Your Child is “Behind” {Part II. Experience With Early On Michigan}

Awhile back, I stepped out on a limb and shared my parental concerns with my toddler daughter. I discussed my frustrations with her language development and then spoke about the FREE statewide program I turned to — Early On Michigan.

In that post, I also mentioned how we would have the choice on whether we should re-screen her at age two if we weren’t seeing a lot of improvement.

Well, the time came. She turned two in July, and I was still feeling hesitant. Was she speaking enough? Were her words as clear as other 2-year-olds? She has a hot temper — was it because of her lack of expressive language? Or was hearing the issue?

This photo sums up Karina’s goofy personality pretty well!

First, I needed to tackle a hearing test. With hearing issues in our family tree, I was nervous that could be the case. Our health department was backed up so it took two flippin’ months to get an appointment. So, at 35 weeks pregnant with baby #3, I waddled in with the toddler and my 3-year-old in tow. It was a total disaster. They didn’t have the training to work with a toddler — she kept pulling out the ear buds — and she didn’t have the ability to sit still enough so they could perform the test. My eyes started to well up with tears as they explained how I would need to wait until she was older to perform the test. I was so frustrated when I was hoping to walk away with an answer.

Next, we had our 2-year-old well check with Karina’s pediatrician and I explained my concerns again. She graciously wrote me a referral to Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor for the hearing test. I breathed a sigh of relief — these people would know what they are doing, right? Thankfully, they did. They knew exactly what to do to keep her entertained and check her hearing in the process. I was in amazement seeing them work with her. I walked away with tears again — but this time from joy. My daughter didn’t have a hearing loss. In fact, they reassured me she was very bright.

With the hearing checked, I called Early On. If she didn’t qualify for services again, I had already made the decision that I would hire a private speech pathologist to work with her — and to teach me how I could teach her.

Again, I explained my concerns to the evaluator about her lack of two-word phrases and hard-to-understand vocabulary. Did I think she is smart and understands me? Absolutely. But her words weren’t coming out clear, and I was starting to see a vast difference between her and her peers.

At the end of the evaluation, I heard words that finally validated my concerns: “She qualifies for services.”

Karina had scored high everywhere except expressive communication, where she was behind where she needed to be at age two. Would she be OK without services? Sure, but then there would be a strong chance of needing speech therapy in elementary school. Why not nip this in the bud while we could, and while we had this program at our fingertips? {Early On Michigan only works with children until age three.}

Here we are a month later, getting speech therapy — for free — right in our home — every other week. I’ve been learning a ton about the way I should speak with her so she understands me, and our therapist has been helping me learn fun ways I can get her to speak more. I’m already seeing improvements, and it has made both of us much happier in the process.

Karina and I having fun at the cider mill. What a face!

Best of all, she has started a 2’s class at a preschool that I go with her to, and she is doing amazing with learning to sit still and listen. She absolutely loves participating and chiming in with answers — there’s not a shy bone in her body — and I love seeing the pride in her face when her teacher gives her praise.

I’m confident that with the help of Early On, and continued involvement in community programs geared toward her age, we’ll get where she needs to be in no time. Never have I been so thankful for trusting my instincts, even when people said I was over-reacting. If I’m not an advocate for my child, who will be?

Early On’s motto says it best: Don’t worry. But don’t wait.

If you think your infant or toddler may have a speech or developmental delay, contact Early On at 1-800-Early-On or complete the online referral form.

This is not sponsored in any way by Early On. I just really appreciate this program and wanted to share my experience in case there is a parent in my same boat!

Read about the start of Karina’s speech journey here.