[KarenInCa]

Here's a good article on possible language delays of children adopted internationally.
International Adoption and Language Development -

We did not seem to have any issues with our older daughter's language acquisition, adopted at 16.5 months from China, but that might also be because we spent a good deal of time with basic sign language, and over-pronouncing objects and activities that we were doing with her, continually. It might also be because she had a lot of one-on-one time with her nanny at the orphanage. But we are preparing for it to be different with our second daughter, just in case.

[KarynB]

Thanks for this article Karen. Our son is 18 months with no words, and although he was adopted at 5 months i really think he missed out on some precursors to language from being in an orphanage for 5 months. Our ped isn't worried - but this may motivate him a bit!

Thanks again!

Karyn

[ttcasey]

Thank you for the posting. Our pediatrician also tells us not to worry. Caroline is 18 months old and is trying to say words. She is a perfectionist so if she feels that she is not saying it correctly she stops. All of her other growth patterns are perfect, she uses a fork and spoon to eat, drinks her milk out of a cup (no top!) and can understand exactly what we are saying. We think the words will come soon, but we have a speech therapist on call if we need to go that route.

[mdaisyq]

I found the article very interesting. I have found both our local EI and our school system very reluctant to treat my children for speech delays. EI has stated that the delays are due to not being in an English speaking environment long enough (assessment for our daughter adopted at 16 months old) and that time will improve their delays.The school system insisted that our then 3 year old son (adopted at 34 months old) was speaking Chinese, only I just didn't realize it - he has been diagnosed with a severe speech delay by a private speech pathologist.Even with the speech test results (5% for receptive language and 1% for expressive language) they were reluctant to accept him into special ed until he had been home for one year.

If you find yourselves in a similar situation, fight, fight, fight, for the services your child needs and has a right to!

Also, just an FYI, our son with the severe speech delays, has refused to learn ASL -to the point that he will grab my hands to stop me from signing.Instead, he insists on using his own made up(and probably orphanage based)sign. In many ways, his signs are pretty cool.

[KarynB]

Hi all,

So I took my son in for a screening this morning and they want to refer him to get a full assesment. She said he has many positive signs (signing, babbling, etc) but is not where he should be. What does this mean exactly? What are the causes of speech delay and can they be related to other developmental delays? I'm a bit nervous now...but trying to stay positive!!!!

[hml1976]

I have two internationally adopted kids (from Kaz). My daughter was adopted at 9mths, spoke her first words at 10mths and at 3.5 speaks almost as well as I do. I thought it was because I read to her all the time, pointed out objects etc.

Now that I have a son, adopted at 7mths from Kaz, I realize my daughter was just vocal and it had very little to do with me. He's 14mths now and mostly points and says "D'oh" at everything. I read to him, point things out, probably spend more time doing it than with my daughter. He's very physical, walked at 10mths, can walk up stairs at 14mths, doesn't give a hoot about talking.

[lovemybulldog]

Thanks for this article.

We've been home for 3 months with our son who is now almost 23 months and was in an orphanage, not foster care. He said Mama, Baba, Ian, and ball all before we were even out of his province, but now rarely says mama, Ian or Ball, and points/says Da or Buh for about 50 things. Everything else is a closed mouth grunt and sometimes I can hear syllables behind his closed lips, like he's trying to talk, but not opening his mouth. He babbles a ton now that he's started daycare and I'm on a waiting list for EI for him.

Our ped isn't concerned and feels like he's just trying out a bunch of different things and will figure it out...but suggested EI to get another set of thoughts on it.

He was a late walker and also hasn't grown in height or weight since coming home and our ped is not worried, so I think I just need to stick it out and wait for EI, while working more with him on annunciation and eye contact. He also refuses to sign anything but banana and milk. Go figure. Boys are always about the food.