United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

my son is a 27 months old with a ROBPI which has caused him to recieve weekly OT and PT sessions. in PA, you need to do an annual evaluation to determine new "goals" and assess the child- after his screening these past few weeks, it was determined that Ryan needs speech therapy to work on his diction and articulation- his processing skills are on target, just cannot say the words clearly or consistently. i've heard theories that this could be related to his injury, while some others suggest that it is independent. i own a childcare of aprox 70 children under 5 and refer children to speech services frequently (i am a big fan of recieving all the help and support that you can for your child)- and yet i am very confllicted to figure if this is connected to his injury. any thoughts? thank you!!!!!!!!!

I do not know of any direct relation with OBPI kids and articulation disorders. However, our son who is 6 1/2 with a ROBPI is having much difficulty in saying his gutteral sounds -- the /k/ and /g/, so I was actually going to post the question, too. Hopefullly someone with more experience will be able to answer. Sorry I can't help you much, except that I understand.

<not meant to be offensive> does it matter if it's connected or not? -- how will that change how it will be treated?

Thank you Janelle for your post- I am seeking a better understanding of the complications that are occuring as a result of my child's injury- and what challenges may be independent. As other mothers in this forum, I am looking to meet with people who have similar situations so that I can learn from them and find ways to alleviate the stresses for my child that occur as a result of this injury. I do take offense to your comment~ I believe this website to be a welcoming environment created to support- not judge. My son has and always will get the care that he needs, in every way, whatever the need/cause- I was simply seeking the experiences of others to facilitate him.

I have been welcoming and supportive for years and years. And I did ask you not to view my post as offensive because I wasn't "talking" in that tone of voice.

In trying to heal myself and my emotional state since Maia's birth, I noticed that everytime I felt the need to connect it to the bpi -- I added an extra layer of anger to it. So I stopped connecting things so much so that Maia didn't have to have that extra pressure on her (from me without doing it consciously).

That's why I asked the question - and truly, treatment for a speech impediment won't change whether or not the child has a bpi. Your speech therapist might not even know what a bpi is because it will have no bearing on what she needs to do with your child.

Another thing I want to add is that some of our children (not all) have gone through traumatic births and therefore, because of the traumatic birth, they may have a longer laundry list of issues. The list doesn't have to be connected to the bpi either....but it can be connected to what happened during the traumatic birth. BPI is only ONE possible outcome of a traumatic birth. This is why it's so difficult to compare children - one never knows what else is at play.

Food for thought. Still not meant to offend.
-francine

I find the possible connection to speech articulation intresting, my daughter 11 sturggles with /s/ and /z/ sounds. She also has bilateral corrdination delay. I agree if there is a connection it will not change her treatment. But if the connection exists it could offer a better understanding of OBPI in whole, as far as it collerateral damage or long term affects on our children.