To: bethha@SLP.org
From:hpotter@magic.org

Beth,

Just to let you know, we did have Joey evaluated for speech and language and they referred her to an audiologist for a hearing evaluation. The audiologist there said that Joey had a severe hearing loss in both ears and that she would need hearing aids and also speech therapy. We haven't been back to the SLP yet for any therapy, but I was just wondering what the prognosis is for Joey's education. Will she learn to read? It just seems like learning to spell and read and write when you can't hear at all would be really hard. I know Joey's speech therapist will eventually be able to give us these answers, but I just thought you may have a rough idea of what we should expect.

I'm sure that, as a speech therapist who's seen kids like Joey before, you know how the parents feel when they get news like this. I guess the optimistic side of me is looking for hope in answers to these questions and is what keeps me from being overwhelmed. Then there are times when all I can do is worry and my heart breaks for Joey as I conjure up worst-case scenarios. Anyway....I know I'm rambling, so I'll stop for now.

Any help you can offer in the way of answers, though, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again,

Henry Potter

To: hpotter@magic.org
From: bethha@SLP.org

Dear Henry,

My advice to you would be to have Joey evaluated by an SLP. In an evaluation like this, they will test her speech and language and most importantly, her hearing as well.

As an SLP, I would tell you that if your daughter isn't talking much and she's 4 years old, that it could be because of many things that are related to communication disorders (like a language problem, where she doesn't understand the words you are saying, or maybe a motor speech problem, that doesn't allow the parts of her mouth used for speech to move quickly). It is highly likely, too, that Joey may simply be a late bloomer and will eventually talk as much as her peers (Owens, 1996). Another cause could be a hearing loss, which can delay speech and language development and can alter the way a person sounds when they speak (Martin, 1999).

Best of luck,

Beth Harmon

Let me know what happens!

To: bethha@SLP.org
From: hpotter@magic.org

Beth,

My name is Henry Potter and I was visiting your website earlier. I have a 4 year old daughter, Joey, who I am a little concerned about, after reading through your articles on your webpages. She doesn't seem to talk as much as the other kids in her class and when she does talk, it doesn't sound the same. When my wife and I ask her to do something, she doesn't respond until the second or third time we ask her (Martin, 1999). Do you think Joey should be seen by a speech pathologist?

Thanks in advance,

Henry Potter
hpotter@magic.org