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Kinsa
08-25-2007, 01:46 PM
Since I am getting NOWHERE with my WONDERFUL military health insurance <grumble grumble>...

I have decided to take it upon myself to do speech therapy with my kids at home. I bought this book (http://www.amazon.com/Right-Teach-Child-Sound-Lessons/dp/0963542605/ref=sr_1_4/103-5405981-6362243?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1188070787&sr=8-4) for my 11yo twins who have a slight lisp and lateral "S". And I bought this book (http://www.amazon.com/Help-Me-Talk-Right-Lessons/dp/0963542613/ref=sr_1_2/103-5405981-6362243?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1188070882&sr=8-2) for my 9yo who can't pronounce his "R" sound correctly.

(As a sidenote, my 7yo speaks fine. My 4yo takes speech therapy at the local public school. And I think my 1yo is right on target - he's very much like my 7yo.)

Anyway....

As if God were confirming my decision, there was a post on the bulletin board at church last week for someone who offers in-home speech therapy. This lady works through my local school district, so she must live around here somewhere.

Now, I know that I can't afford private speech therapy for three kids. That's why we are going to "do it ourselves". But the books that I bought suggest being under the supervision of a certified speech therapist. So I was thinking of having her evaluate the boys about every 4-6 weeks, or whenever we get to a "stopping point" in the books.

Just wondering what you all thought of this idea? Or has anyone gone this route before? This is really our only option. The schools won't take them since there isn't an "educational need" for sppech therapy. (Tried already.) The insurance won't pay for therapy. (Been trying for over two years.) And we just can't afford private speech therapy for three kiddos.

FabTXMomma
08-25-2007, 01:52 PM
Sounds completely reasonable to me. If you can afford for her to give you suggestions and guidance on activity every month or every 2 months, I would think that would be fine. You're dealing with very specific problems in specific children. You only need education on them and their specific issues. I think that's very doable.

Good for you for being creative!

Kinsa
08-25-2007, 02:26 PM
Wow - you are a quick responder! You must watch this forum with eagle eyes! :lol: Thanks for your encouragement!

FabTXMomma
08-25-2007, 03:04 PM
No usually it takes a LOT longer. :lol:
I don't want to give anyone false expectations.

Today we are supposed to go to a friend's house for an informal bday party, but it's been delayed as they are having problems with their lawnmower. So I have some downtime today, and I got on here to try to catch up!

In redneck (or as I like to call it - deep East Texas, y'all):
Today we is supposed t'go t'a friend's house fo' an info'mal bday party, but it's been delayed as they is havin' problems wif their lawnmower. So ah have some downtime today, an' ah got on hyar t'try t'ketch up! Fry mah hide!

Kim2005
08-25-2007, 03:12 PM
I think it's totally doable, Karen.

My DS has a speech problem, and we made lots of improvement here at home.

KUP!!

4littlelambs
08-26-2007, 02:29 PM
I think that's a fantastic idea Karen! We have done that with Josh a little... well, he has always had speech paid for by EI but I really really really liked his 1st SLP that we had and "they" wouldn't allow us to continue with her once he started in developmental preschool...

soooo... we saw her every 4-6 weeks and she had us do 'homework'! Worked well!

zookeeper
08-27-2007, 06:03 AM
I think it's a good idea...and sounds like your only option anyway at this point...but I think you can do it at home.

My 7 y.o. DS can not pronounce his "R" sound either...I have been wanting to do it at home too, even though he can get it at school...I would just rather not have him pulled out of class for it. I have helped him correct several other speech problems on our own.

I can't figure the "R" thing out though...any quick tips or do I need to read an entire book on it?

CarrieinWI
08-27-2007, 09:52 PM
I read the reviews for the /s/ book and noticed that one of the reviews said that it doesn't cover the lateral lisp very well. I am not familiar with the books, but I can tell you as an SLP that the lateral lisp and /r/ are two of the more difficult sounds to work with. I would definatly recommend having the SLP give you advice from time to time.:)

Carrie