Reflux and speech delay

[MImom0608]

I have a toddler who had many reflux issues as an infant.  She ended up being put on Neutramagin in the end which appeared to help.  However, recently we have been having more issues and was taken to the doctors.  While there they started her on meds for acid reflux and are currently trying to get her into see the ped GI here.  What I was wondering is if anyone has found that their child has a speech delay due to their reflux..

[selmaS]

Hi...a good therapist will be of value.I also know that some use blowing bubbles as a tool...so even toy horns and such may also be of help.

I am glad to "hear" it sounds like u r making progress.

Please keep us posted on her progress.

Godspeed
"selma"

[MImom0608]

The therapist has said that she doesn't use her tongue efficiently.  I guess she never really did.  It would take forever to get her to eat because of how much she would spit out.  We are trying to reteach her how to move her tongue around.

[MImom0608]

What prompts the upsets, what are the upsets like and how long do they last? She gets upset at many things.  They last maybe a half hour but it is a tantrum.  She has always been pukey when she cries so its nothing new. What helps to stop the upsets? She has to calm herself anymore.  I don't give in just because she pukes.  Again she is two and learning she will be coddled because she gets sick is not something I want.  How soon are you scheduled to see the pediatric GI? I'm not sure.  Her doctors office has to get her in and he is the only ped GI for 2 counties.  You may also consider pediatric ear, nose and throat dr. (otolaryngologist).  They are informed about the reflux issues as well as speech language issues.  That is good to know I need to call and find out if they got her into the GI so I will ask about an ENT as well.  Often times, ped ENTs work with a speech pathologist as a team.  Are you near a large medical center?  No.  I live in a tiny town.  The closes large medical center is about an hour away.  But we have been there a few times in the past anyway.

Has her speech/language been improving since attending the group and having the one-on-one?  A little although she is still difficult to understand and gets frustrated when we don't get what she is saying.

[healingwell62]

Hi again!

Ok, just from what you are describing, it doesn't sound like the two are related.  You say she gets upset.  What prompts the upsets, what are the upsets like and how long do they last?  What helps to stop the upsets?  How soon are you scheduled to see the pediatric GI?  You may also consider pediatric ear, nose and throat dr. (otolaryngologist).  They are informed about the reflux issues as well as speech language issues.  Often times, ped ENTs work with a speech pathologist as a team.  Are you near a large medical center?

Has her speech/language been improving since attending the group and having the one-on-one?

Hang in there, it sounds like you are doing a great job with your daughter!

I will continue to follow this post to reply to your answers!

Warmly,

Chris

[MImom0608]

What issues have you been having?  She was vomiting at least three times a day, along with when she was upset for about 3 days.  How long has your daughter been taking the meds?  She has been on Zantac for a little over a week. Do they seem to be helping? The meds do seem to be helping, but not when she is upset. How old is your daughter? She is 2 and a half. What type of speech/language delay does she have? Expressive.    Has she had a speech/language evaluation -- if so, how delayed is she? She has had an eval and attends a speech group every week and has one on one twice a month (if nit more).  She was at the level of an 18 month old at her first eval 6 months ago.  So right about 6 months behind.  I'm not familiar with a body of literature that identifies a causal relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease or laryngopharyngeal reflux disease specifically with speech delay.

[healingwell62]

Hi there,

I'm a speech pathologist and was asked to comment on your post (I'm also the CL of the Breast Cancer Community).

You mentioned that "recently we have been having more issues and was taken to the doctors.  While there they started her on meds for acid reflux and are currently trying to get her into see the ped GI here."  

What issues have you been having?  How long has your daughter been taking the meds?  Do they seem to be helping?  How old is your daughter?  What type of speech/language delay does she have?  Has she had a speech/language evaluation -- if so, how delayed is she?  I'm not familiar with a body of literature that identifies a causal relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease or laryngopharyngeal reflux disease specifically with speech delay.

I'm interested to hear your answers and I'll keep up with this discussion.

Warmly,

Chris
Healingwell62
Breast Cancer 1 & 2 Community Leader

[ChitChatNine]

Two of my 4 children who had severe reflux also had speech issues .. one needed 8 yrs of speech therapy and graduated with 100% success and the other was only 2yrs for similar muscle tone issues in the mouth and tongue.  My son had delayed timing eating solid foods and that was part of his issue, too.  Both are 100% fine in developmental and are healthy children who are now 16 and 10yrs old.

Oral issues can be common with severe reflux.  Also, not all outgrow the milk issues.

C~

[selmaS]

Hi...I have that info from my sister.

"Absolutely!  Kids who have reflux do not like to put things into their mouths to eat and to explore (cuz it makes them gag).  You have to first learn how to use your mouth to eat—and learn where all of the oral structures are (roof of mouth, how to move the tongue, etc) before you can learn to talk. We see a lot of kids who had reflux as an infant who have speech delays as toddlers."

I hope this helps...if I can help with nething else please feel free to ask.

"selma"

[selmaS]

Hi....I can not say that I know of this firsthand, but my sister helps get services for infants and children here in out area and she may have an answer for u on that.

I will update u if she or ne of the therapists have ne knowledge of that.

Good luck
"selma"