Speech Delay Due To...Enlarged TONSILS?!?

[LadyJag]

My four-year-old, Alyssa, has been receiving speech therapy since she was two years old. At age 2, during her well-child check-up, Alyssa's pediatrician ordered a hearing test and referred us to our local EIP (Early Intervention Program) because she was speech delayed. (At that time, she spoke 5-8 words clearly.)

Alyssa's hearing checked out fine, and EIP sent a speech therapist to our house for private 1-hour sessions once each week. I was horrified when the therapist told me that Alyssa had "apraxia," which is a motor planning delay that affects speech. I resigned myself to helping my daughter through her tough, never-ending struggle to clearer speech through years and years of therapy.

At age 3, Alyssa's doctor told me at her well-child check-up, "don't worry about the apraxia. She'll grow out of it. Already she seems to be speaking clearer." The doctor was right in a way. After just one year of speech therapy, Alyssa had gone from speaking 5-8 words clearly to over 100! She was still behind other kids her age, but at least strangers could understand her some of the time. I saw the confused "what did she say?" looks less often, and didn't have to translate quite as much as before.

Moving on to Alyssa's well-child check-up at age 4 a couple of months ago...Alyssa's doctor asked me about her speech. "She has apraxia," I reminded her.

"It's not apraxia," the doctor responded, then she examine Alyssa's mouth and throat, then made her move her tongue around, say a few words, and sing a song. "Nope," the doctor confirmed, "her oral motor skills are fine. It's something other than apraxia." WHA...?!?

The doctor continued, "I want to say it's either an issue with her palate, or a cranial nerve thing. In any case, we need to get this resolved now, before others start noticing." So she referred us to an ENT to examine her palate.

Well, the earliest appointment with the ENT was 2-1/2 months away, but no big deal, we'd take what we could get. Finally, yesterday, Alyssa was able to see the ENT.

"There's nothing wrong with her palate," the ENT told us. I was a little relieved, but also a little disappointed, because I wanted an answer...something to blame Alyssa's speech delay on. Something we could fix....NOW. Something that didn't require speech therapy for most of her life, only to have an "almost normal speech" result.

Then the ENT said something that threw me for a loop. "Her tonsils are huge, though, and could be getting in the way of the movement of her palate and tongue." Again, WHA....?!?

So now my baby need surgery to remove her tonsils and adenoids. The ENT told us that it may or may not help improve Alyssa's speech, but it's definitely a step in the right direction. Wow.

I don't look forward to my daughter having such a painful surgery, but I'm excited to think that this might help her in her speech. My poor little girl gets so frustrated sometimes when I can't understand her, that she bursts into tears.

Plus, the ENT told us that Alyssa "probably isn't sleeping as well as you think she is," meaning, her tonsils are large enough to block her airway while she's sleeping, which could be interrupting her sleep. Additionally, he thinks this might be one of the reasons why she's such a picky eater and doesn't care for meat. - Meat requires a lot of chewing and can be difficult to swallow.

Amazing! So, for you mommies of speech delayed children out there, ask your pediatrician for a referral to an Ear, Nose, & Throat specialist, to rule out the possibility of your child's tonsils/adenoids impeding your child's tongue and palate movement. And for my CafeMom friends, please keep my Alyssa and me in your prayers during and after her surgery next month.

Thanks!

[krisstar20]

Jun. 19, 2010 at 10:26 PM

Actually, I definitely think it makes sense!

Isn't it funny what a visit to the ENT can enlighten you with?!  When we were referred for R's Sinus and Adenoid Issues we were amazed to find out that she had Reflux!  Never would have known about it if the ENT had not of done the scope! 
R just had her adenoids removed Friday a week ago and we've already noticed a HUGE difference.  She's sleeping MUCH better....she's also sleeping with her mouth closed....a first in almost a year.  The ENT told us after the surgery that her adenoids were huge and that the surgery should definitely take care of most of the issues she was having.  It has been a huge relief for us.  While it was very scary to imagine her going through it the surgery seriously lasted about 30 minutes and she did much better than we thought possible.  She's barely had any problems with the recovery....it's like she didn't even have the surgery, LOL.

I pray that this helps with Alyssa's Speech!  If you need to talk just shoot me an email!  HUGS!

[rosadnr]

Jun. 20, 2010 at 1:03 AM Praying!

[littlefoots]

Jun. 20, 2010 at 3:24 PM

Awe..I will be thinking of her. As of now..both of my kids and myself..have all had our tonsils and adnoids removed. It really has made a difference. Both of mine have adhd..and also had the enlarged tonsils ..and sleep apnea..and a few other additional issues. BUt they have really improved.

The surgeries went well for them(ashley  at 10, Jordan at 7)..and myself (I was 16). I have additional issues that require a ENT Specialist.. but  I can tell you I havent had as many issues with my hearing since I had them removed.

I will be praying for a speedy recovery! PLease tell my little Disney friend we said Hi..and Mickey cant wait till she is feeling better...

Diana

[krazeerosie]

Jun. 20, 2010 at 7:02 PM

I don't know if you remember me way back when from the DIsney group. Your daughter is exactly 6 months older than my daughter who also had speech issues. Will you share this with the speech delay group??   Has Alyssa's speech improved any over the past 18 months with speech therapy???  Elizabeth was diagnosed with severe Phonological disorder and not apraxia. She has improved so much they are thinking she might place out of therapy on her 4th birthday in October.  I can't believe the one time I check to see which friends online is one day after you post this. I will keep her in my prayers for sure. I might push for the ENT to check my daughter. Maybe thats' a connection missing why it's so hard to get her to follow anything near a sleep schedule like the boys.