# year old needs speech

[gen584]

Hi I have a 3 year old son who only put 2-3words together to talk. I took him to an ENT because I thought it was because of his hearing Well to make a long story short. they say he needs speech therphy   I can take him to speech 1-2 days a week or I can take him to Headstart which is a program to get him ready to go to preK and they will do speech to help him to talk as well which will help him to learn as well SO should i just take him to speech for now or should I put him in the headstart program which is normal school hours 8-2:30

[babygirl6152]

are the words clear? He doesn't sound too delayed if he can say phrases--

I personally like headstart a lot if you have loving, patient teachers. And since it is usually associated with the school district it is free preschool- go for it- but if he dislikes it A LOT after a few months, pull him. He will probably love it though. The speech therapy there will probably be wonderful as well- they have to use certified therapists that travel from school to school. Chances are most of the kiddos in there will be in speech therapy.

[binnks]

My son had the same problem in speech at the age 3. My Dr. did not want him to go to head start are preschool. You are the mom I would do what you feel is right in your heart. My child received better speech therapy on his own. When he entered school it was not as good because he had to share his time with other children in speech and only got 10 min. each, when they told me it was 30 min. So you should find out from head start how much time does he really get. My child is 11 and is still in speech and works online, but is so much better. But If I were you I wouldn't put him in school yet. I would take him for speech on his own, talk to him a lot and read to him everyday and go to the park.

[Sara1981]

My son had a speech delay they recognized at 18 months after he had tubes put in his ears around the same time. I took him to speech therapy at "Columbus Speech and Hearing."  They first did a hearing check to make sure everything was ok.  Then autism was another good thing to look into.  Their first plan of attach, though, was "early intervention" with speech therapy one day a week for a half hour at "Columbus Speech and Hearing."  I was able to watch through a one-way window (mirrored on his side).  The most beneficial thing we got out of it was me watching them interact so I could take those lessons home.  I even enrolled in a class through their program, myself, to teach me how to take more lessons home because at the end of the day, you are his best teacher.  It is a process.  Either decision is good, but make sure if it is through the school you can be there to learn what they are doing...not just get an update.  Observation is KEY.  You need to be doing whatever they are doing at home.  And unfortunately, autism awareness is the next best thing, as well.  

Good luck!

[deeyana]

Head Start is great for the social interaction. But from your post your son needs not only speech but language also. Furthermore I'm not sure that head start  has a pathologist? You said they are going to work on speech in head start. Did they tell by the classroom teacher or by a professional in that field. I prefer programs like ELP and the Early Intervention Programs which have the pathologist on staff .And when your son enters pre-k he will have the speech and language services in place if he needs them.  If you want to look into this option,these programs are available through the public school system. Your child will first need to be evaluated by them to qualify.