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My son C is in Kindergarten. I received a call earlier this week about concern about him having speech problems. I had never really thought about it. I can understand him. When I sat and thought about it though I realized, yes, he does have speech issues. There are a lot of people who can not understand him. I asked him if his teacher always understands him. He said no. I asked him what happens then. He said he says it again :)
He is soo cute. I really don't mind letting them test him for speech issues and getting the help so that he can be understood easier. The papers came to fill out to let them test him.
It came with a huge thing about parents rights and rights when it comes to IEP's. (IEP=Individualized Education Program) and also all about IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). Talk about a lot to read.
At first I was like why all this stuff. C isn't disabled. He has educational issues but I was thinking why C? I was even thinking that when I started writing this. Then it hit me! Not being able to be understood by your teachers and peers is a big disability. Yes, he maybe able to walk. He may be able to hear. But many many people can't understand him. That is a major disability. Hopefully this disability will be able to be fixed (Most speech issues can be) and he will be able to go and make more friends (something that is hard to do when many people can't understand what you are saying) and do the things that he wants to do.
What do you think of when you hear disability? Have you or your child experienced speech problems?