Should I refer my DD to a speech therapist?

[coffeeholic]

My DD is 3 and a real chatterbox. I can understand her and so can close family and friends. I've noticed that other adults don't always understand her. Some of her speech sounds a bit immature, for example she uses "t" instead of "c/k" (car is tar etc) and also brum, bressed for drum and dressed. She also stutters from time to time, although I don't think she is aware of this. Is this normal at her age? I don't correct her I just say the right pronunciation back to her. I don't want it to become a huge issue as she is quite a timid child anyway, but I don't want a problem when she gets to school. Help!

[pinkdolly]

Hiya, my oldest had similer probs. from what I gather a lot of children go through this at that age. I wouldn't worry about it too much, not yet anyway.

My dd is now nearly 5 and has just started Speech therapy as she cant pronounce words at the front of her mouth. But like I said a lot of kids get over this stage, give her awhile and see how she goes.

[toadstool]

Sounds normal to me, DD called breakfast 'fwekfast' and used weird 'words' when she was 3. It sorted itself out over time but mostly when she started school and realised 'the' isn't spelt (or said) 'de'. Stuttering may be worth keeping an eye on, though - but it could be a phase to do with her shyness.

[moondog]

I wouldn't worry.
I am a speech and language therapist.

[yomellamoHelly]

FWIW my ds (3 1/2) is totally the same - except that it's r and f he doesn't say and I don't always understand him either. His friends at nursery all seem to talk properly and seem really precocious and a lot older by comparison. However 2 weeks ago we met an old friend with 3 boys, one of whom was the same age as ds and his speech was exactly the same (was quite a relief in a way to see a mirror image developmentally). So I'd say your dd sounds normal to me even if she sits at towards the end of the curve in speech development.
Stuttering is supposedly quite common too and something they grow out of. I wouldn't draw their attention to it if I were you in case it does then become an issue. I see it as a confidence thing and less likely to occur of they know what they're about to say is correct.
I too was worried about ds making friends at school if he couldn't communicate, but certainly now it doesn't seem to be a problem. It's more of an issue for his teachers, but they are gradually getting to know him and understand his ways and cornering me less and less.

[coffeeholic]

That's really reassuring. Thanks everyone!

[Jacanne]

My DD Izzy is 2 and she also says "t" for the hard "cuh" sound - even at the ends of words - so "drink" is "drint" - I was concerned too and posted on another site where lots of people reassured me that it is very common. Also was given a link to this site members.tripod.com/Caroline_Bowen/acquisition.html

which you might find helpful