Is there anyone involved with Early Intervention and/or Speech?

BriBri529 Posted: Jul 26, 2004 03:40 PM

Is there anyone involved with Early Intervention and/or Speech?

My FSIL is worried that her 3 year old daughter has a LD because she does not know the alphabet, even though they constantly work on it. She will be 4 in January.

Aside from having her listen to and sing the song, make and trace (using many multi-sensory experiences) the letters and saying the letter at the same time, and associating objects with the letters, can anyone make any suggestions as to how to help her to learn the alphabet? She does not even know the song.

I am a special education teacher, but have little experience with Early Intervention (just what I know from undergrad courses- I teach Middle School Resource Room.)

I am just wondering if I am missing any strategies here. I am also thinking this might be a speech and language issue . . .

TIA

dolphin Posted: Jul 26, 2004 03:49 PM

Re: Is there anyone involved with Early Intervention and/or Speech?

you have FM

juju Posted: Jul 26, 2004 06:54 PM

Re: Is there anyone involved with Early Intervention and/or Speech?

you have FM

sophie78 Posted: Jul 26, 2004 07:50 PM

Re: Is there anyone involved with Early Intervention and/or Speech?

take her to the hofstra psychological clinic to be tested. They have early intervention programs there. 463-5660

Danielle&Scott Posted: Jul 27, 2004 01:04 AM

Re: Is there anyone involved with Early Intervention and/or Speech?

Isn't she a little young to think she might be LD? Children usually learn their alphabet at preschool or kindegarten.

Does she seem delayed in any other way?

matron Posted: Jul 27, 2004 02:00 AM

Re: Is there anyone involved with Early Intervention and/or Speech?

Children (esp in that age bracket) learn at very different paces. I wouldn't be too concerned unless there are other issues, such as speech delays, that are worrying her.

kelly4 Posted: Jul 27, 2004 07:43 AM

Re: Is there anyone involved with Early Intervention and/or Speech?

I agree with danielle and susan... she is on the young side and children learn at different paces. Has she met all her milestones so far at appropriate times? (walking, crawling, turning over, babling, talking etc...) If she has, then I wouldn't be too worried about it.

I taught sped. kindergarten for 4 years, teach the 3-5 year olds during the summer and now have been teaching reg. ed kindergarten for 2 years. I have had children in regular kindergarten that come to me in sept. not knowing the alphabet, barely can sing the song, and even can't recognize their names and all of a sudden- a few months into kindergarten or less- they take off and make up for lost time and catch up to the other kids. Each child is on their own schedule and although it is important to keep reinforcing the alphabet with her for exposure, she may not be ready for it.

If she has met all her milestones at appropriate times, then my advice is to just be patient and it should come. If she hasn't met her milestones, then I would consult her regular physician who can lead her to the appropriate doctors- ususally a developmental psychologist for further testing and recommendations for early intervention.

It sounds like you have been doing the right thing with her using a multisensory approach. She is lucky to have someone like you that cares about her.

Good luck and let us know how she's doing!

Lora

prncssrachel Posted: Jul 27, 2004 08:16 AM

Re: Is there anyone involved with Early Intervention and/or Speech?

FM!

brideinapril Posted: Jul 27, 2004 08:43 AM

Re: Is there anyone involved with Early Intervention and/or Speech?

I have to agree with everyone - children learn at different paces, my son was a little slow in learning the alphabet, he was slow in talking - he didn't really talk until he was about 3 and a half. Now he's six and you can't get him to be quiet!! He started preschool at 3 1/2 and its amazing. He is soooo smart. He just finished kindergarten last month and he is reading already. I wouldn't worry about it as long as the child has reached all other milestones.

BriBri529 Posted: Jul 27, 2004 10:18 AM

Re: Is there anyone involved with Early Intervention and/or Speech?

Thank you all for your ideas and support! I am going over there today to see for myself what I see and I will keep you posted. Since I am Spec. Ed. certified and teach Spec. Ed., I am familiar with CPSE and methods to use and the steps to take, I just wanted to put it out there to see if I had 'missed' anything, since I do not teach the little ones. Thanks again, and as I said, I will keep you all posted!!!