Speech Delay and Omega 3’s & 6’s

As I’ve posted before, Kyler may have a speech delay.  He has begun therapy with Early Intervention and I think that it will at least give my husband and I a few ideas of how to work with him.  Unfortunately, I just don’t think that once a week with a SLT is enough.  I’ve sought out private therapy and will be meeting with someone next week for an evaluation.  I’d like to get some sort of idea of what is causing the delay.  EI doesn’t diagnose; so they are just there for support and ideas. 

I’m a control freak and absolutely cannot stand the helpless feeling I have with Kyler and his speech issues.  Lately, I’ve really felt like I’m getting postpartum depression all over again…or maybe it’s just depression this time.  ??  I desperately want to hear my baby say Mama!  He used to say Dada and YumYum but now I’m struggling to get any babbling.  We were so incredibly happy, thankful and relieved when he finally said Dada (at 12.5 months); so when he stopped, my mood tumbled fast!  I’m heartbroken over this.  I know that he’s still very young but I can’t help but worry.  The problem is that he never began babbling.  Most babies fumble upon mama or dada very early on but don’t know what it means.  Later around a year, they say it with meaning.  Kyler never babbled at all…at all.  He has just recently started making sounds other than grunts.

Of course, the internet has information on everything so I have just been going to town searching for possible answers and solutions.  My husband absolutely freaks if I mention autism.  I just think we need to be real because he does have a few other red flags (wheel spinning, not responding to his name, not talking).  The more I research and really watch and listen to Kyler, I’m beginning to believe that it isn’t autism.  He is trying to communicate with us and DOES understand many things that we say.  Perhaps his lack of interest previously was due to my own inability to sit and entertain him for very long.  He had to learn to be independent early on.  Anyway, so I’ve really been working with him and I do see some positive things going on although still no words or even much babbling.

So, to the internet I go for more research.  I came across childhood apraxia of speech.  I have MUCH more research to do on this but I do see many symptoms in Kyler of this condition. I’m definitely anxious to hear what the private therapist thinks about it.  At any rate, I’ve found where many parents have supplemented their child’s diet with fish oils containing Omega 3’s & 6’s and have seen vast improvements in their children’s speech (and behavior).  Of course, I’m sure it’s not a miracle drug..actually it isn’t a drug at all and is completely natural.    I hate to give myself false hope but I’m starting Kyler on supplements.  I mean if for nothing else, they are very good for children and adults. 

Yesterday, we gave him one gelcap.  The dosage for an adult would be about 6 in a 24 hour period.  Ironically, that very afternoon, he was making much more eye contact and more noises.  Obviously, it was just a coincidence.  This morning, I put one in his breakfast…I heard “da” faintly about 10 times today.  Coincidence???  So, I’m keeping my fingers crossed and praying that this is going to help him as well.  I am also working very hard on incorporating the EI’s suggestions into our daily routines.  Maybe I’m just more aware of what’s going on…nevertheless, I got a few babbles today!!!

I’m very interested in hearing from anyone who has had experience with a speech delayed child and the supplementation of Omega 3&6.

I’m going to update this in one week to see if there are any more improvements

…..keeping my fingers crossed….