We are told my 5 year old needs speech therapy and has a learning disability.?

Question

we were told she has a learning disability. She recently got glasses and we have seen a hugeeeee improvement. Her teacher says differently. we even have been videotaping the progress. They also say she has a speech problem but she has no front teeth. They were pulled when she was younger and will grow in soon. Her dentist says once the teeth grow in she'll be fine. I heard that school's are trying to label kids now because they get state funding. I would love to hear some opinions..

Answer 1

That answer is wrong,..state's DO get extra funding as "I" also am the parent of a child labeled with a learning disability.  My son has Dsylexia and trying to get help from any school is just a joke!  

Here is a link with how most schools calculate funding!  It is based on "needs and performance of students in the school",..which boils down to,..if there is more of a "need" to fund for more special education teachers and programs, they allocate more funding to it!!  PLAIN AND SIMPLE!

http://www.schoolfunding.info/states/tx/...

I'm with my son everyday, and other than not being able to read well (he's 19) due to his viewing letters and numbers in reverse, he is very normal in all activities and work habits.  

Base your judgement on your view and not necessarily the schools,....do YOU feel your child speaks improperly due to a speech impairment or the missing teeth.  If you have any doubts, before letting them "label" your kid, demand an "independent" evaluation be done at the schools expense.  Most states allow you to do this when they "review" your child for special services.  It is your right in most states.

I have been through a living h**l with my school system over my son and hopefully this is not the beginning for you.

Answer 2

Then get her some speech therapy. At the very least, get her properly assessed. It's best done early.

What's the problem? Speech therapy isn't an unpleasant medical procedure. It's half an hour every so often with a nice lady who plays games with your kid and gives them lots of praise and 100% attention. And what's having it going to label your kid as? Someone who speaks funny? She does that every time she opens her mouth. Stop seeing this as some sort of badge of shame and take it as an opportunity to help her fell better about herself.

Answer 3

If you're concerned that the school is not giving you a neutral evaluation, ask your pediatrician for a referral to someone else who can give you one.  Nobody on the computer can tell you, certainly, whether she needs special attention or not.  But if it turns out your daughter actually needs speech therapy or has a learning disability, you'd be doing her a favor by getting her help earlier rather than later.

Answer 4

some educators are pretentious arent they? Personally I think that they are a little illogical in what they told you, when its obvious about her teeth. Even if she said some words incorrectly it would still be typical for a 5 year old as they are still learning vocabulary and pronounciation, and that takes practice. Basically speech therapy is for children who have speech impedements such as stuttering or extreme lisping. If your child had a visual issue and the glasses have made a huge improvement according to your observations then that ought to have a great merit because who knows your daughter better? you or the teacher ?and I say this because parents are teachers too and can also observe their childs learning process as many of us do work hard with our kids daily on scholastics usually on a 1 on 1 basis, where our attention is not "divided" among 15 other kids at the same time(I think that says a lot). A teacher certainly can express concern but unless your child has actually been professionally evaluated extensively no one can say she has a learning disability and speech therapy is a voluntary process as well not mandatory. Frankly if your daughter is keeping up with the curriculum then I see no problem whatsoever. I can just honestly picture the scenario for you guys and if it were my child I would change classrooms (teacher). Who wants a teacher to spend all day with their child , if the teacher is negative towards her and is not very supportive  and instead chooses to label rather than use common sense? You even have a dentist telling you shell be fine speechwise. Unless that teacher has a PHD in special ED or child psychiatry she has no authority to even give a professional opinion she could at best tell you of her concern but not give any opinion that labels your child. take my advice switch classrooms even if its the end of the year. Schools cannot possibly determine a childs true potential and capacity to learn, only you the parents can maybe gauge that at such an early age. Good luck.

Answer 5

My sister was diagnosed very early with needing speech therapy.  While she still has a learning disability (truly, very minor) - you cannot tell any problems with her speech.

There is no harm in the speech therapy.  If you are concerned about he learning disability declaration, seek a 2nd opinion from your doctor - - or ask your doctor where to seek another opinion.

Answer 6

I have the same problem with my five year old grandson, he had to go see a speech therapist twice, and they found nothing wrong with his speech. The only ones who couldn't understand him was the teachers, they also said he was behind with his writing skills but yet he reads two levels above what he should be able to read and two levels above with his maths, i myself have a son with HDAD so i can really understand what you are go through, but at the end of the day this child is yours and not theirs and you are the best person to know if she needs help, not them.

Answer 7

Take the therapy.....

In the mean time get a referral for an independent evaluation.

Work with her at home as much as possible.

And YES you are correct many schools will push to label kids as "special needs" to get funding and to get around the AYP (annual yearly progress) for NCLB!  (No Child Left Behind) Do not assume this is the case that is why you need a second evaluation.

Remember YOU and only you are your child's best advocate!

    Good Luck! :-)

Answer 8

My 5 yo has some speech problems and they have someone come in for 10 min a day and work with her and have told me that kids arent expected to say all sounds clearly until they are around 8.  I would also say that not having front teeth would play an issue.  If you are concerned, find a speech therapist for a consult and see what they say and go by that not what the school says.  I think schools are too quick to label whether it is this or add

Answer 9

well i have ADHD but it doenst mena anything u as a parents see a promblem then you take action but if u dont see a problem dont worry it may just  be a faze she is going thru i would wait it out...

Answer 10

my opinion, take the therapy. teeth are essential to proper speech development, if she has not had her front teeth for awhile she may have developed some bad speech habits that need correcting.  Schools don't get extra state funding because the put kids in special ed, if anything they try to avoid placing kids to save money.

Answer 11

There is nothing wrong with helping your child out as much as you can!  The earlier the better.  The speech therapist understood that your child did not have front teeth, but saw enough of a problem to request services.  I am a Special Education Advocate and schools do get some extra funding, but truthfully it is sooooo hard to get a child help in the school system, so if they are offering you help, JUMP at the Chance!  It will really improve your child's educational experience!

Answer 12

let her take the speech.  it can't hurt her.  and having a learning disability is not a big deal.  i have two boys who do and other then having to study harder or a different way you would never know.