help 4 yr old

[mvb29]

Hi,

My daughter has expressive speech deficit and severe ADHD - she goes to speech therapy 1-2 sessions per week. I am having tough time getting her attention to teach her or practice with her - she would not even sit through the story -please any tips or suggestions that helped you and how long does it take to notice improvement in her speech.

Thank you all

[MomofADHDBoy6]

Good morning. My son who is 6 now also had a severe speech delay and started speech therapy at 4, so I know how frustrating that can be! He was diagnosed with Dyslexia actually first after he completed speech therapy and I realized there was something else there, and then about 6 months later with severe ADHD. First I would say, you are doing great by early intervention and to give yourself some props mama!

One thing I would suggest that helped us with speech is to keep very short doses when practicing at home, and bring lots of play into it. Learning by play for us was the only way to keep his attention.

And then for us, medication changed our lives. When he was 5 he had a preschool teacher who I loved and trusted who had children that had been diagnosed with ADHD at a young age (she was the reason I had him tested so early actually!). I was anti-medication until I learned from her how much it helped her children. He was unable to even learn his alphabet, and I would spend every single day trying to help him learn it, albeit unsuccessfully! I felt helpless. And then he started medication and specialized tutoring for his Dyslexia, and he immediately started learning, and now gets 100% on his spelling tests in Kindergarten. Which was unthinkable just one year ago.

Every situation is different, and you just being here and reaching out, having your daughter in speech, and already knowing she has ADHD is going to help her so much in the long run!

[Mamamichl]

is it important for her to actually “sit” during the story? My daughter only will sit during a story when relaxing at bedtime. She is 9. This is why she prefers audiobooks. At 4, it’s perfectly normal to struggle with this.

Coming from an educator, I would recommend finding ways to incorporate movement with her lessons. Like if she needs to sound out hat, put h on a spot, a on another and t on a third, then have her jump from one spot to another while sounding h it out. Then have the word “at the finish line” where she says the whole word. I haven’t worked in speech, so I can’t help in those details or strategies, it those are the kind of things we do in the classroom with kids who wiggle.

Also , while working in aba, it was beneficial to have lots of visual representation and repetition. My partner had sentences he repeated in speech like “the sly fox” until his brain got used to making the body say it right. Slowing down also helped to alliterate right so that it was said correctly.

[HoldingonLou]

I'm no expert but I was told to only practice with books my kids can read. I struggled with my kids. My son would only sit for 5 minutes and then we would both get flustered because I would feel like a failure and we couldn't complete reading the book. I kept focusing on reading the book which he just wasn't interested in doing. Finally I was taught to focus on doing what is a successful task. Like reading one page each night. Then reread the whole book at the end of the week. Kids love repetition and get excited about knowing what comes next. If I had focused on it. I would have just re read the same five books over and over so their confidence could build.

[Phonologixelizabeth]

An online resource providing speech therapy

services is called Phonologix. Through remote interactive sessions, it assists people in addressing speech sound abnormalities and enhancing their communication abilities. Phonologix makes speech therapy easily accessible by using cutting-edge technology and individualized treatment programs. This allows clients to work toward their speech objectives while remaining comfortable in their own homes.

website-phonologixtherapy.com/

11-05-2024

[BLC89]

Hello mvb29,

Teach them some sign language so they can communicate. It alleviates frustration on everyone's part. It can some simple signs like:

Please - flat hand, rub a circle on your chest

Thank you - flat hand on chin then away (almost like the not so nice sign of fingers under the chin

More - fingers on thumb (both hands) push hands together repeatedly

Choose what would be most helpful for your family. It raises the bar for them for communication and it can be a life long bond with you and your child. My 20 year old still does signs to me, it's like our secret language.

Or make up cards with pictures on them so they can tell you a story instead of them having to sit through a story book. Give them words.

Create a release valve. They will figure it out. You have no idea how much pressure they are putting on themselves and how much it frustrates them to not be able to communicate.

If you want their attention make it fun, don't do the same thing as the speech therapist. Create games in which they use word or signs, have them ask for their favorite foods or treats with words or signs. Make it fun so they want to spend time with you and by accident they will be learning.

We all do so much better and learn way much more quickly when we are playing. Challenge yourself to find some silly ways to engage with your kid where they need to talk or sign to get what they want

Good luck and have fun!

BLC89

Full disclosure: I am an Adult and Parent ADHD coach helping those with ADHD navigate this non-ADHD world. I have been married to ADHD for nearly 30 years and have two kids with ADHD. I am CCSP certified.

Find out more at bluelakecoaching.com