Todd Said:

my 3 year old sister cant say certain words should my mom take her to speech therapy?

We Answered:

She is a completely normal 3 year old. They can't say EVERYTHING perfectly. My 3 year old son has the same problem with the k sounds and on occasion stutters cuz he just can't seem to put his sentence together. She doesn't need a speech therapist.

Unless it's something that lasts into LATER LATER years

Most 3 year olds talk similar to that..

Gordon Said:

If your child has been in speech therapy a question?

We Answered:

I'm right there with you. However, my daughter who is now 5 was a little bit of a late talker and took a very long time to learn the correct sounds. She had a lot of her own words for items like "On-ya" for "Pony" and "Ba-ca" for "Monkey." None of which made sense. I had her screened for speech therapy at around 3 years old and the therapist said that as long as she continued to develop her sounds and progress, not to worry. My daughter did improve almost every day. However, she's starting kindergarten next year and some of her sounds are slightly off so I'm going to try to get her into speech now to just work out those few sounds so she's not ever teased about it. There are a lot of "late talkers" in my family. My son will be 2 next month and just in the last few weeks has finally started saying the same words over and over and not just when he feels like it. His words aren't totally clear and he's mimicking us quite a bit but it's not consistent. I have an appointment Friday to get the kids physicals and shots they need and my pediatrician a few months ago said to observe my son and he would send us to a speech pathologist if I wanted to. I think I'm going to go and although I'm not worried right now, I would rather start working with my son now and if we discover he doesn't need the speech therapy as he grows, no harm done. I too feel responsible and wonder what I did wrong but with the help of family who has seen the speech delays with their own children, keep telling me not too worry and as the kids got older, their speech all improved to normal. My friend who works with children with delays and autism suggested making a photo album of all the family members that my son can flip through and then call out each name. My son is also learning animal sounds but, for example, he would "moo" like a cow for a week and now he doesn't seem to want to. He's always on the go and doesn't sit still so it is hard to work with him but I too will try to get him to say "juice" or "cup" when I hand him his drink and try to get him to speak instead of just pointing to what he wants. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any more questions. I know how frustrating it is and I don't like it when it seems like other parents are judging you and thinking you did something wrong just because your child isn't speaking sentences like there child might be. I always say something to the effect that "The pediatrician and I are handling it," and "Every child develops at their own pace." Good luck!!!

Lester Said:

Help with speech problems?!?

We Answered:

I think you may be under some kind of mental distress, so it is not a speech therapy problem but some kind of mental aberration

Isaac Said:

Any speech language pathologist out there? Phonological disorder or possibility of Apraxia?

We Answered:

Hi,
Firstly, please try not to worry - it seems like you are really fretting over this, as a mum myself I know I would be, but please let me at least try to reassure you that I have worked with a lot of children who seem to have the same problem as your child.

Let me start by saying that it is a good sign that your son can hear when you are saying words incorrectly, this is good that he can hear the difference, as some children do not even know when others are saying the word wrong, so please be reassured that this is at least a positive that your son can hear when you are saying words incorrectly.

Have you tried working with your son sat side by side both looking in to a mirror? If you sit side by side then your son can see how you are making movements with your lips tongue etc, and then in turn can see how he is making them. Try starting off by pulling silly faces at each other ie sticking your tongue out, puffing out your cheeks. Can he copy this? If so, move on to single sounds such as 'p' and 't'. Talk about what you are doing in order to make these sounds ie, oh look what I've done here to make the 'p' sound, I've put my lips together look and make a popping sound. Etc.

Dyspraxia / Apraxia is a condition that results in a reduced ability / inability to voluntarily control single or sequenced movements of the lips, tongue or soft palate.

I hope that this has helped a little. Again, please you're not on your own here, I have seen a few children who have the same difficulties as you're describing. If you live in England, please ask your Speech and Language Therapist about the Nuffield Dyspraxia Programme.

Kind regards x

Samantha Said:

Speech Therapists can you help me with my 27mo old?

We Answered:

There are many types of Apraxia. A child can have a verbal apraxia, oral motor apraxia, developmental apraxia of speech, limb apraxia, and so on... Without knowing his birth, medical, and developmental history and personally observing his communicative behaviors, I cannot tell you what type of communication disorder he may have. Have you tried getting an evaluation through your local hospital/out patient clinic? Sometimes that is faster than getting an evaluation through your local school district. Most insurance companies pay for speech and language therapy. There a plenty of private therapists out there. Because of his age, I would go with a private therapist. That way, you would be included in all of his treatment sessions and can easily follow through with speech/language activities at home.

Here are a few websites you may find helpful:
http://www.asha.org/findpro/
http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disord…
http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disord…
http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disord…
http://www.kidspeech.com/
http://www.speech-language-therapy.com/p…
http://www.apraxia-kids.org/

Nelson Said:

Would the Picture Exchange Communication (PECS) system be beneficial for a child with a speech delay?

We Answered:

Certainly. However, keep in mind the need to point and utter (speak) at the same time. Make sure that you prompt the child with each picture to speak.

For example, ask a question, such as "What do you want to eat?" Present two pictures, a burrito and a sandwich. Allow a few seconds for a response. Point to each picture and repeat "burrito or sandwich." Again allow a few seconds for a response. If the student points to what he/she wants, but does not speak, say "good choice. You want a burrito. Say, 'burrito.'" pause again for a response. When the student points and speaks at the same time, present the burrito.

Language is functional. That is to say that we use language for a reason, to get what we want. If we can use photo language or sign language alone to get get what we want, then there is no need to ever speak. However, if we use a combination of these things to get what we want there is functional and neurological reinforcement. This can be very powerful for all students, with or without a particular disability, when done properly.

By the way, PECS is a great system and has good pictures. Any simple and realistic pictures will do.