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Mixed Expressive/Receptive Learning Disorder (MERLD)?
Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 4:01 pm
by hardworking_mom
Hi,
Wonder if anyone has heard of the above-mentioned language disorder? Ds(7 yrs old) has been diagnosed by KK doc with this "name" during the yearly review. I only saw this term in the letter addressed to any new speech therapist he is supposed to visit as the KK Cdu speech therapist only assist children up to 6 years old.
Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 4:22 pm
by tankee
Oh dear ....
According to what I managed to find out, MERLD is a communication disorder.
It is like as an “aphasia” of the brain. The child hear what we are telling them, but somewhere between hearing and understanding the words, things get jumbled up…the wires get crossed.
Each child with MERLD learns differently. Some learn quickly, are able to memorize. Others take much longer, needing to assimilate differently.
Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 7:11 pm
by cluelessmom
Hi, hardworking_mom, maybe u can find out more at this link
http://www.minddisorders.com/Kau-Nu/Mix ... order.html
I think it's good to seek a second opinion too..all the best...
Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 3:40 pm
by hardworking_mom
Thanks Tankee and Cluelessmom,
Ds has been seeing speech therapist and occupational therapist for quite some time. He has been seen both KK and private therapist. When young, he was labelled as 'speech delay' when he was slow in talking and expressing himself. Sometimes he had problem understanding and following instructions. He has some difficulty with proununciating certain consonants or vowels. Reading was ok. Infact he is much better at reading than listening. Now at P1, English is quite ok but mathematics problem sum solving pose a problem. Guess it is the language problem issue. Sometimes I also wonder when he will speak like his peers...
Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 4:41 pm
by Guest
Did KK not recommend what can be done beyond 6 years old?
Re: Mixed Expressive/Receptive Learning Disorder (MERLD)?
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 11:53 pm
by xxjustakidxx
hardworking_mom wrote:Hi,
Wonder if anyone has heard of the above-mentioned language disorder? Ds(7 yrs old) has been diagnosed by KK doc with this "name" during the yearly review. I only saw this term in the letter addressed to any new speech therapist he is supposed to visit as the KK Cdu speech therapist only assist children up to 6 years old.
When I was in Primary 1, I recieved the letter as well. I didn't go for it, because I was just hesitant to interact and was nonchalant about normal work. I was from China as well, so the teacher saw me as anti social (exception for chinese teacher)
Now, I'm in an IP school. To be exact, HCI.
Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 10:50 pm
by hardworking_mom
After 6 years old, we have to seek speech therapy from other organisations, e.g. society for physically disabled SPD, SGH(minimum subsidy compared to kK rates), Mount Alvernia, etc). Mine is now attending SPD, about $60+/session.
Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 10:44 am
by tilinday
Hi clueless mom, I read the link you gave and I think my 3-yr old has this disorder. Though he does not have any problems with understanding instructions, he is unable to express himself and resorts to hitting us in frustration when we can't figure out what he's trying to say
We have been to an OT and ST at NUH CDU. Both of them don't really think my son's condition is critical, although i did sign him up for 4 sessions with the ST which will only start in June
I would like to know if there are any speech therapists who can work at home with us on a more regular basis than just once weekly, coz I think that's more effective and would probably see results faster.
Cheers!
Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 6:59 pm
by cluelessmom
Hi tilinday,
Since u mentioned tat ur son has been assessed by both PT and ST at NUH and deemed non-critical, perhaps he may be just a late bloomer. If u r still concern abt his speech development, perhaps u may wish to consider going for parent training programmes/session (nt sure if NUH offers the programme bt I think some of the private centres does) so tat u can work with him on a daily basis instead of getting a ST to work with him at home.
Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 9:41 pm
by Blobbi
Hi tilinday,
What cluelessmom says makes a lot of sense. If you're interested, I can PM you the name of a speech therapist my friend's kid goes to. This is not a home service - you have to go to the clinic. And it's not cheap - definitely more expensive than what the government hospitals charge per hour.
I know of some people who work with their own kids after taking training sessions for certain learning disabilities, and the results have been spectacular because of the intensity and frequency of the sessions.
Good luck!