Josie Duggar's development frightened me

[Daenerys]

I was watching the Israel episode and was completely freaked out at how behind she is. Josie appears to be unable to walk on her own for a start, and looks physically as floppy as a baby. The talking is literally just babble, not even attempting to string words together like 'want milk' or something simple. She doesn't seem to be properly taking in her environment; when she came back from Israel I know she was ill but there was no sense that she even recognised Dad or any of the other caregivers.

 

I'm not pretending to be an expert on children, but she seems behind even my friends' one year olds. I think she might be more disabled than any of us have realised... there doesn't seem to have been much development for a while.

[NJMom]

She might have had some kind of brain damage with her premature birth, or else she is very far behind on her cognitive development. I'm sure she'd benefit from therapy, but I guess either the Duggars don't believe in it or else they don't want us to know about it. They make it seem as if they can care for Josie and that she has no special needs other than being on oxygen (even the fact that this is ongoing leads me to believe Josie might have a permanent problem with her lungs). The longer the show goes on, however, the Duggars will eventually have to address Josie's issues. Then again, they don't seem to notice that Jordyn can barely talk, and that Jennifer also appears to be speech delayed.

[Constance Vigilance]

I was watching the Israel episode and was completely freaked out at how behind she is. Josie appears to be unable to walk on her own for a start, and looks physically as floppy as a baby. The talking is literally just babble, not even attempting to string words together like 'want milk' or something simple. She doesn't seem to be properly taking in her environment; when she came back from Israel I know she was ill but there was no sense that she even recognised Dad or any of the other caregivers.

I'm not pretending to be an expert on children, but she seems behind even my friends' one year olds. I think she might be more disabled than any of us have realised... there doesn't seem to have been much development for a while.

You've probably just put more thought into her development than her parents ever have. Poor Josiecat.

[tkr322]

It's too bad because she will probably never see any sort of therapist. She definitely needs both a physical and speech therapist though. I, too find it frightening that she's not even able to walk and yet her parents do nothing about it.

I have a friend whose son was born at the same gestation. They got him tons of therapists (all of which are usually paid by insurance or state programs btw) and he has caught up tremendously. I can't imagine knowing my kid is behind and doing nothing about it like they do.

[TaterTotCasserole]

First, this is my first post. I have been lurking for a while!!

It has bugged me from the very beginning how nonchalant they are with her. My son is a former preemie although not as early as Josie (he was 29 weeks) I was told to keep him away from people for the first year. No if ands or buts. And he wasn't even as early as she was. Flying is one of the most dangerous things they could have done with her obvious lung issues.

I am sure she qualifies for all sorts of therapy...physical, occupational and speech. And I am sure there are many many issues that are not shown on the tv show. There is just no way a baby that early doesn't have issues.

I actually don't watch as much as I used to or if I do, fast forward through a lot of it. It breaks my heart how all of the little ones are just lost in the shuffle. One of my biggest pet peeves is that you will see the babies sitting alone and eating with no one watching them. That can go bad so fast. And how they are ALWAYS climbing on counters and unstable items and there isn't a bigger person in sight.

Thanks for my rant and letting me pop my FJ cherry :lol:

[slickcat79]

It's too bad because she will probably never see any sort of therapist. She definitely needs both a physical and speech therapist though. I, too find it frightening that she's not even able to walk and yet her parents do nothing about it.

I have a friend whose son was born at the same gestation. They got him tons of therapists (all of which are usually paid by insurance or state programs btw) and he has caught up tremendously. I can't imagine knowing my kid is behind and doing nothing about it like they do.

To be fair, as of the summer she can walk unassisted (though probably not as steadily as your average 2 year old).

I sincerely hope they are getting her PT/OT behind the scenes that we are not aware of, but I have a feeling they are not :( They seem to be convinced that as long as she is meeting milestones (sitting, walking, babbling, etc) that she is perfectly ok...never mind the fact that those are things that healthy babies half her age would be doing. It's been awhile since we've seen her evaluated by a doctor other than an emergency physician in Israel; I really wish they would take her health more seriously.

[1004srs]

SO, why doesn't TLC show that stuff? It would make them more likeable than they currently are.

[Kitty]

SO, why doesn't TLC show that stuff? It would make them more likeable than they currently are.

Ratings, dear.

[lilwriter85]

First, this is my first post. I have been lurking for a while!!

It has bugged me from the very beginning how nonchalant they are with her. My son is a former preemie although not as early as Josie (he was 29 weeks) I was told to keep him away from people for the first year. No if ands or buts. And he wasn't even as early as she was. Flying is one of the most dangerous things they could have done with her obvious lung issues.

I am sure she qualifies for all sorts of therapy...physical, occupational and speech. And I am sure there are many many issues that are not shown on the tv show. There is just no way a baby that early doesn't have issues.

I actually don't watch as much as I used to or if I do, fast forward through a lot of it. It breaks my heart how all of the little ones are just lost in the shuffle. One of my biggest pet peeves is that you will see the babies sitting alone and eating with no one watching them. That can go bad so fast. And how they are ALWAYS climbing on counters and unstable items and there isn't a bigger person in sight.

Thanks for my rant and letting me pop my FJ cherry :lol:

Welcome to FJ and I love the username.

I agree with you and others on Josie.

[alba]

It's too bad because she will probably never see any sort of therapist. She definitely needs both a physical and speech therapist though. I, too find it frightening that she's not even able to walk and yet her parents do nothing about it.

I have a friend whose son was born at the same gestation. They got him tons of therapists (all of which are usually paid by insurance or state programs btw) and he has caught up tremendously. I can't imagine knowing my kid is behind and doing nothing about it like they do.

And there's no way they *can't* know, with 18 older children. That's what I find saddest; they isolate themselves enough that if it was a first or second child it might appear to them to be a healthy child that's a little late. With 18 other children I don't buy that they don't notice it, though.

[fakepigtails73]

Mega thanks to the OP, I was thinking about doing a thread on that subject while at lunch today.

I watched a recent ep. yesterday and I was struck by the fact that she cannot talk yet (at least she couldn't when she was in Europe, and that wasn't long ago). She blows kisses and hits her face repeatedly. I am concerned that she has dev. delays but that her idiotic parents won't do shyte in ways of assessments or therapy (sp. now that they're so consumed with Jubilee's death).

Granted I have no kids so I dunno about the "age milestones" one is supposed to hit... :doh:

Glad to see that I'm not alone worried for Josie's development.

She's 2 y-old...

[gustava]

Ratings, dear.

I've never understood this. I would think the ratings would improve if the Mullet and Jim-Boob demonstrated they care enough for their precious child to acknowledge that child's needs, such as PT,OT, and speech.

I wonder if it has less to do with TLC than with the idiot parents. Perhaps they believe that acknowledging their child is less than perfect indicates "sin" or wrongdoing on their part, and of course, their self-image would not allow for that.

[Sinister Rouge]

I don't really follow the Duggars, but wasn't she born Dec '09? That makes her four months younger than my DD. But, she was how many months premature? 4? So she should be at about the level of a 20 month old. I just watched a clip from their trip and her delays are really, really obvious - she really strikes me as being more at the level of a 10 or 12 month old in the way she gestures, babbles, and interacts. If she just started walking recently, that aligns with my impressions, as most kids start around 11-15 months. It's pretty disturbing that even making allowances for her early arrival, she's still at least 6 months behind - easily more. I would really, really like to see them taking advantage of some kind of PT or OT - anyone know why they would be resistant to taking help for their clearly developmentally delayed child? Is it a pride thing? Denial? I don't get it.

[CanadianHippie]

SO, why doesn't TLC show that stuff? It would make them more likeable than they currently are.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4sNaWI6lkY

Starting around 8:21 is Josie walking.

[fakepigtails73]

I mean, if they're worried because of the $$$ cost of those therapies, I think that all states pay for some assessments and therapies for micropreemies, and Josie would be eligible!

If it's denial that prevents them, then it's really stupid on JB and M's part and they're playing with the wellbeing of Josie.

If it's pride...Then don't they know how much of a sin too much pride is? Oh yeah, according to Fundies some sins are worst than others (lust= aweful sin, gluttony= acceptable sin, etc...)

[IReallyAmHopewell]

Josie's OT/PT would be way more interesting than another round of dentist visits or putting up blinds. Sean? Are you listening?

[slickcat79]

I've never understood this. I would think the ratings would improve if the Mullet and Jim-Boob demonstrated they care enough for their precious child to acknowledge that child's needs, such as PT,OT, and speech.

I think they sort of have to walk a line. I mean, we've seen them do a lot of things over and over again, and everyone complains that they're bored with it. If they showed multiple doctor visits with Josie, I'm sure there would be plenty of people saying that they're sick of watching that and they don't want to see it anymore. I actually wouldn't mind seeing some of her therapy sessions, but first they'd have to admit that she actually needs it.

At least, that's one possible explanation that TPTB wouldn't want to show Josie being evaluated every couple of months.

Alternatively, and more likely, the Duggars don't want people to have specific examples to point to that counter their assertions that Josie is perfectly fine/healthy/normal. They've put a lot of effort into the idea that Josie is their miracle baby who defied the odds to survive and thrive in their home. It would be nice if they'd put their child's needs ahead of their Message, but I don't think they ever will.

[lilwriter85]

I've never understood this. I would think the ratings would improve if the Mullet and Jim-Boob demonstrated they care enough for their precious child to acknowledge that child's needs, such as PT,OT, and speech.

I wonder if it has less to do with TLC than with the idiot parents. Perhaps they believe that acknowledging their child is less than perfect indicates "sin" or wrongdoing on their part, and of course, their self-image would not allow for that.

Ratings might improve if Boob and Mullet took Josie to therapies and maybe some of the dislike for them would lessen. I agree it has more to do with Boob and Mullet not wanting to acknowledge any imperfections their child may have.

My boyfriend's mom is occupational therapist who is retiring in a few months. She works mostly with adults but she was worked with kids. I'm not sure if she has ever worked with toddles. She has dealt with her share of idiot parents who try and reduce therapy sessions or cause problems because they don't want to acknowledge the problems their children have.

Some posters here have also mentioned possible delays with Jennifer and Jordyn. I agree something seems off with those two, especially in the communication areas. I recall sometime back another poster mentioned Jackson and Johanna being stunted for their ages and I have noticed anything off with those two.

[debrand]

Wait. Are you guys certain that she is two? My grandson turned two in October. This morning I got to talk with my grandson on the phone. He told me that he loved me and also told me that he was sorry. There was no reason to tell me that he was sorry but his mom said that he has suddenly started apologizing a lot. LOL He also very clearly said the word, rocketship. He has a fascination with rockets, trains and planes.

My grandson is average in his speaking abilities. Half the time, I'm not certain what he is saying but he does talk. His meaning simply isn't always clear to his grandmother who lives a couple states away. His parents understand him most of the time.

[Conuly]

most kids start around 11-15 months.

Yes, but it's not consider "late" walking unless they start after 18 months. If she started walking at 18 months (adjusted) she's just on the late end of normal.

Of course, if she's on the late end of normal for walking AND ALSO on the late end (or actually late!) for talking - that's a bit of a worry. Most kids seem to be a little late in one, but early or on time in the other.

Josie was born December `10, 2009. That makes her two and a few days old just now! (But how long ago was the show filmed? This, I don't know.)

[GeoBQn]

And there's no way they *can't* know, with 18 older children. That's what I find saddest; they isolate themselves enough that if it was a first or second child it might appear to them to be a healthy child that's a little late. With 18 other children I don't buy that they don't notice it, though.

After being born with dislocated hips and having many surgeries and hours of physical therapy to correct it, my parents realized that my language development was way off. I had an older brother, but they really noticed my problem because my neighbors had a daughter who was a year younger than me, yet she was doing things that I was still not able to do. I ended up having a language acquisition disorder, and thanks to my parents getting me early intervention and years of therapy (paid for out-of-pocket, since insurance would only cover my surgeries), I ended up having no lasting problems.

If JimBob and Michelle are getting therapy for Josie behind the scenes, they should at least mention it on the show even if they never show the sessions on camera. It's misleading to the loyal viewers who take their words as gospel to imply that Josie is completely ok without any outside intervention. If Josie isn't getting any therapy, I want to know why the fuck not. In most states, she would qualify for therapy based entirely on her risk factors. That's the whole point of early intervention--work on issues early so that they don't turn into major problems later. Wasn't there a doctors appointment where Michelle said that Josie had trouble swallowing? That alone could be a risk or indication for speech problems.

[Kitty]

Yes, but it's not consider "late" walking unless they start after 18 months. If she started walking at 18 months (adjusted) she's just on the late end of normal.

Of course, if she's on the late end of normal for walking AND ALSO on the late end (or actually late!) for talking - that's a bit of a worry. Most kids seem to be a little late in one, but early or on time in the other.

Josie was born December `10, 2009. That makes her two and a few days old just now! (But how long ago was the show filmed? This, I don't know.)

It was filmed over the summer, I think, late summer. Josie had been already walking by then.

I did some quick research on micro-preemie development- they seem to catch up by 3, and from what I can tell Josie's normal for a micropreemie.

[She Who Laughs]

I believe they also taught her some simple signs (baby sign language). It's been my observance that often babies that are taught to sign start speaking later because they can sign for what they want rather than talking.

[Mokek Kwe]

First, this is my first post. I have been lurking for a while!!

It has bugged me from the very beginning how nonchalant they are with her. My son is a former preemie although not as early as Josie (he was 29 weeks) I was told to keep him away from people for the first year. No if ands or buts. And he wasn't even as early as she was. Flying is one of the most dangerous things they could have done with her obvious lung issues.

I am sure she qualifies for all sorts of therapy...physical, occupational and speech. And I am sure there are many many issues that are not shown on the tv show. There is just no way a baby that early doesn't have issues.

I actually don't watch as much as I used to or if I do, fast forward through a lot of it. It breaks my heart how all of the little ones are just lost in the shuffle. One of my biggest pet peeves is that you will see the babies sitting alone and eating with no one watching them. That can go bad so fast. And how they are ALWAYS climbing on counters and unstable items and there isn't a bigger person in sight.

Thanks for my rant and letting me pop my FJ cherry :lol:

welcome to FJ! Your screen name is full of win!

[Mokek Kwe]

I believe they also taught her some simple signs (baby sign language). It's been my observance that often babies that are taught to sign start speaking later because they can sign for what they want rather than talking.

IIRC, Gary Ezzo in his "-wise" series, recommends teaching babies signs so that they can be punished for not making approrpriate signs like "I love you" and "please". Maybe the Duggars learned this from GKGW or from the Bates family.