Speech therapist
Hello. I have a son who just turned 24 months. I am looking for a speech therapist who can help him.
Until about he was 18-20 month he was able to say about 8-10 words but somehow he started to say less and less words and now he does not say any words.
We thought that it was because of bilingual enviroment that confuses him ( I speak Japanese and my husband and his nanny speak English) however, I start to worry about the possibility of having mild degree of autism. Although he seem to be happy and smiling most of the time, he is a bit shy with people and especially kids of his age and his favorite activity is to spin wheels and watch something that spins. He also likes to flap his hands.
Can somebody let us know how we can get help? Thank you very much.
Hi,
I am a qualified Speech therapist and audiologist. I have experience both in India and Qatar.I'm currently doing sessions inside and outside.also can drop in my villa. My location is in Fareej Sudan, near AlSadd.
For information Contact Raseena
[email protected]
hello
i am a certified behavior therapist (ABA). I also conduct speech therapy and special education. Please call me for appointments at 33124706.
dennis
Hi
I am a qualified Speech therapist and an audiologist.I have experience both in India and Qatar.Im currently doing sessions inside and out side.
For information Contact Foumisa 30559958
Konichiwa Ken,
I am relatively new to Doha so do not know where to go for help. However the advice people have offered so far seems good to me. Before having my own kids, of which the eldest is now nearly 4 years old, i used to work with young children who are on the autistic spectrum. It is best to have a clear diagnosis, and just remember that early intervention for any behavioral problems is best and will mean that your child will have a better quality of life whatever the diagnosis. So be brave and tackle the bull by its horns. If you need any help or just want to chat please send me a PM.
Elza
I think it was in the Gulf Times - Time Out yesterday that they had an article about doing sign language with children who are too young to speak. Maybe this is something you can use. And find more info about this on the Net. At least this is a way for you to communicate with your child.
Aisha-Taweela
Thank you so much all of you who posted comments. I have not logged in for a few weeks as I was on vacation. We have seen Ms Latif and found that it is getting pricy although she is good. Also, we are thinking that we need something more intensive. At this time, we are hoping to have a professional therapist come over once a month from overseas and train us so that we can give therapies to our son. At the same time, we are waiting to get a slot in Rumaillah hospital. Thanks again for your help.
" My child is four years old and is only just beginning to speak. She sees a speech therapist to help her. The therapist has said that we should stop speaking our language to her and just use English as she will become confused. Our English is not very good."
F.Savitzky, London Language and Literacy Unit, South Bank University:
" There is no evidence that bilingualism will make it harder for children with speech problems to develop speech. If the family stops speaking their language to a child who already has a speech problem there is a possibility that the child will become even more isolated and unable to speak. The added problem of communication in the family being difficult in English can only add to the problem. A child with a speech problem needs to be surrounded by speech and people who feel confident in their use of langauge so that she has positive role models. In many countries children with special needs have no choice as education is not in their own language and they learn to speak several languages to the best of their ability. Some researchers in this field even think that bilingualism can be very positive for these children."
More tips here:
http://www.exploringabroad.com/articles/child-tips.htm
Early intevention is critical. The sooner an evaluation is done the better. AS Gypsy said Dr Samina Latif is very good. Give her a call.
Children develop at different rates. My ongest didn't start speakin till he was three.. Pease don't ear the worst, but it is definitely a good idea to talk to an expert..
Im sorry to say that you are wrong Lambertg...and lav_leee is right..you dont know the job, so please dont judge...in any way the child's parents needs help, and i think you are not of any help at all...
"fear not the dead...but the ghost of your past"
i guess speech therapy is only offered in rumailah hospital & not in other hospitals. RH is a rehab hospital which means they offer all kinds of physical medicine & rehab treatment. u won't know what they can do if u won't try it. it's so lame to judge them.
Although rumailah hospital may have all these "specialist" I am not sure that you are going to find " Quality" care that you might be used to. I am a bit skeptical about what these therapists claim they can do and what they can offer. Do your self a favout and try and find a freelance speech therapist that really knows what they are doing.
The child just turned 24 mos, means 2 years old, i dont think school is the answer now, he needs a specialist to see him for differential diagnosis, ( as autism is diagnosed by age 3), or he may have PDD-NOS, Developmental pediatrician and Therapist are the best answers to guide these parents, its a whole team approach for the child's program..and we are ready to help...
"fear not the dead...but the ghost of your past"
Contact Dr. Samina Latif [email protected], My friends son goes to her and she says she's really good.
Visit www.qatarhappening.com
are you sure they do afternoon sessions. From what I know they are only a school.
Is an other place where you could find help. It is part of Qatar Foundation and they have a school as well as after noon sessions. Google Qatar Foundation and you will find info about them.
Aisha-Taweela
I send u a PM...
"fear not the dead...but the ghost of your past"
Pls refer him to out patient clinic in rumailah hospital, look for Dr. jaber or Dr.Ahzar al rawwas or Dr. haitham,
R umailah is a rehab setting with multi diciplinary team, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy, behavior therapy and special education, we see children in any form of developmental delay and with autism... i am an Occupational therapist in pediatrics so i know better..
"fear not the dead...but the ghost of your past"
Thank you very much for the information, hapy. In fact, my husband went to Hamad about 10 days ago and he was upset as things were so unorganized and he was treated like an animal. So we went to Al Ahli. The problem is that it is quite pricy. Since you gave me a name of the doctor and telephone, we can try to call the pediatric dept at Hamad. Thank you very much.
Ken
You need to visit a pediatrician that specialises in development and behavior, easiest way will be to get referral from primary health centre, you can also make an apointment in evening clinic at Hamad with one of Pediatricians on 4392214.
I know a colleague who has a child with autism, she is seeing a consultant Dr Fadeela, who specialises in such cases, may be you can ask for her apointment.
Hello, jasminejasmine. Thank you very much for your help. I will try to make an inquiry about Hamad hospital.
Hi. I'm sorry i don't know a great deal but I do know someone who sees a consultant at the Hamad Hospital for similar reasons and their experience has been very positive. They have a family centred approach, involving parents in important decisions, such as drugs and behaviour therapy. They felt that the care here was far more positive than they had experienced elsewhere, particularly in the UK where long waits and over booked clinics made it stressful for all of them. I asked them and they said they went to their primary health clinic and asked to be referred. At the same time, the Hamad also order a full ENT check in case of any hearing problems. Good luck, all the best.