Peyton's Checkup

His checkup with the speech therapist went ok.  He is behind, but we already knew that.  She made a plan for us to work on at home and we will be going back to see her in 3 months.  He also went and had a hearing test done, and he past most of it.  He didn't do well on the part in the sound booth where he was supposed to turn toward the sounds, but he was having a hard time focusing.  first he was only paying attention to the toys they were giving him, then because he only wanted the toys - when they took them away to try to get him to listen - he got mad and wouldn't listen.  She wants to retest that part in 6 months - but besides that, he passed 100% all of the other tests.

But his communication skills are only at a 9 month level (he is almost 16 months) so he is behind.  i'm going to be following the plan and doing all the exercises constantly.  the scary part, is that i have been doing most of these things since before he turned one.  And it is very frustrating trying to work with him on his 'instructions' when he doesn't listen very well.  I have heard lots of people say this is kind of typical for boys - so i'm trying to not worry - and i've gotten a few books from the library to give me some creative ideas for 'learning through play'.  We will see how it goes.

Here is the home plan instructions:

• Associate each action that you do with, for or to Peyton with a simple, short word. For example, each time you pick him up say “up”. Provide Peyton with lots of models of the word, then begin to pause before you respond encouraging him to say them word. If he does not speak, then you say the word and wait again, giving him an opportunity to imitate you. If he does not speak, say the word again and then do the action.
• Offer Peyton choices by holding up two things, one desirable and one undesirable. Encourage him to point to the one he wants; once he begins to point, encourage him to vocalize or imitate the word he could say to make the request. You can also put objects that Peyton desires where he can see them, but not get them. Encourage him to point to what he wants, and quickly reinforce him by giving him what he wants.
• Use objects to help Peyton communicate wants/needs or requests by associating an object with an activity or action. For example, associate shoes with going outside. Each time you go outside to play, say “get your shoes. You got your shoes, now let’s go outside.” Leave his shoes by the door. Encourage him to bring his shoes to you when he wants to go outside. Also, he could bring you a cup to request a drink or an object associated with meal time for food.
• During play time, use vowel sounds and short words to label what you are doing. As Peyton begins to associate that sound with an action or activity, he may begin to imitate you. Then, he may initiate the activity by making that sound.
• Encourage turn taking with Peyton. Any game that you play can be made into a my turn, your turn activity. When he makes a sound, you imitate his sound. Try to increase the number of “turns” he will take with you.
• Provide Peyton with opportunities to follow one and two step directions throughout daily routines. For example, ask Peyton to retrieve objects and put them places. Peyton’s participation in his routines will increase as he is given “jobs” to complete within the routine. If Peyton does not follow through, go to Peyton and physically “help” him follow the direction by leading him, putting objects in his hand, pointing, etc.