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AIBU?

To not worry that 3.5 yo DS is classed as speech delayed?

84 replies

Olympiathequeen · 24/11/2016 10:00

He was early to walk (10mo) and runs, jumps and is very active. He also signed from 18 months (supposed to encourage speech) but his speech is very unclear and most words begin with g and d. We understand most of what he says but apparently he doesn't say anything in nursery. He chats to my friends and they all say he has improved.

He understands everything, is sociable, explains things to us in long, intricate not very clear sentences, loves books, and is interested in how everything works. He's also very shy at times.

Nursery teacher asked if we want to attend a speech and language session which I know is aimed at autism spectrum disorders (went with a friend) and I don't feel will help DS.

I have so far refused to worry about this as to me it's not a soeech and language delay but an articulation (which is a physical thing) delay. Pretty sure there is no tongue tie by the way but will ask HV.

Aibu to not worry well not until now?

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Whatthefreakinwhatnow · 24/11/2016 10:04

For me, it would depend on when he's starting school. Sept 2018, fine to give it more time to see how he goes first, but if next Sept I'd be working to help improve his speech before he goes so he doesn't struggle.

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FrayedHem · 24/11/2016 10:11

How long has he been at nursery?

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bookwormnerd · 24/11/2016 10:12

Speech and language sessions will help with articulation. My daughter had same issue. Her vocabulary was good but pronunciation wasn't. She had had speech therapy and has really helped her. There are so many types of speech problems so won't just be based on those who have no speech. I would go to sessions just because there is such a long waiting list and you will find it helps a lot or at least we did. In my daughters speech sessions it was based on helping her blend sounds properly and worked on initial sounds. I wish we had been given the help earlier as it's amazing how much helped

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bookwormnerd · 24/11/2016 10:15

Just to add my daughter had not got tounge time, it was more helping the link between brain and mouth to make right sounds

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formerbabe · 24/11/2016 10:18

One of my dc had a speech disorder (not add)...from my own experience, I'd say accept as much help that is offered to you.

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Alyx80 · 24/11/2016 10:18

I'd take the help, my ds2 had 3 years of speech therapy from 3 years old, it really dented his confidence that people couldn't understand him and he still has issues with that now. He also struggled with phonics and reading as he couldn't actually say the sounds. I'd do everything I could to improve before he starts school.

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formerbabe · 24/11/2016 10:18

Not asd that's meant to say.

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downwardfacingdog · 24/11/2016 10:18

Yabu. Why wouldn't you want to help your son? Just because it is articulation, not language delay doesn't mean he doesn't need help. You don't need to worry, just accept the help that's being offered. My DD is in Yr 1 and still receiving speech therapy for articulation problems and will be for some time.

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TeenAndTween · 24/11/2016 10:19

I think YABU really.

  • SALT isn't just for kids with ASD, it is for anyone with delayed speech.
  • Some areas have long waiting lists 6mnths+ for SALT, you would be far better getting on the waiting list now, than realising in a year's time there is still an issue and then having to wait.
  • Doing SALT certainly won't do any harm, and may do some good, so why turn it down.


My DD had a round a year's worth of SALT in nursery which brought her on. However her poor speech in reception did impact her ability to make friends as they couldn't always understand her, and she couldn't always get the words out she wanted and she got interrupted.
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FrayedHem · 24/11/2016 10:24

What is it about the SALT sessions that make you say they are geared to ASD? Tbh if there is a drop-in SALT available, I would err on going along if only to get advice on Speech sounds development and what to do.

If he isn't talking at all at nursery and had been there over half a term, I would be keeping an eye on that. My eldest has ASD and didn’t talk at all in his first setting (was there over 6 months) but he immediately settled and talked in the next one I put him in as they took the time to engage him. So maybe nursery needs some SALT input.

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Yura · 24/11/2016 10:24

I would go (my son also has minor speech delays, i wish somebody had offered help!). he is ok now, but we were lucky.
you can additionally (NOT instead) also do some stuff at home such as nlowing bubbles through a straw, singing, making faces, ...)

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Tomorrowillbeachicken · 24/11/2016 10:30

I'd go to the session. If there is no issue it will sort itself out but if there is the sessions will help.
I have quite a bad speech impediment as a child and I am glad my parents sought early treatment as I have very few memories of actually having it and the speech therapy being early meant I had no issues from it during school.

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Tomorrowillbeachicken · 24/11/2016 10:30

Had not have

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2014newme · 24/11/2016 10:33

Have his hearing tested
Go to the salt sessions. If he isn't speaking in school it is clearly affecting his confidence.
Why wouldn't you take the help?

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MrsWhiteWash · 24/11/2016 10:35

No I'd be investigating.

In fact I did with some unclear speech with my DS - in my area they did drop in session at children's centre she though him fine but did send for hearing tests - which were borderline just pass just fail. He was fine in the end though he have issues in reception year.

Depending on you area there can be a delay in accessing help - and getting help early is always best. So even if this is quite the help your child might need - I'd go along and try it just to rule it out and get a set of processional eyes on my child.

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Trifleorbust · 24/11/2016 10:35

I would go and see if it helps. It can't make it worse, so I don't see any downside.

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CoteDAzur · 24/11/2016 10:36

YABU. What does "runs, jumps" have to do with speech problems?

Get his hearing tested & go to speech therapy, as others said.

How on Earth are you not worried that your 3.5-year-old is incomprehensible? Hmm

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Sirzy · 24/11/2016 10:36

If it is significant enough nursery have felt the need to highlight and suggest attending this session I would. What harm will attending do? If their is an issue of any sorts early intervention is always better

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YoungPretenderMortificado · 24/11/2016 10:38

YABU

If you've been offered help for him, take it up, early intervention often shows best outcomes.

You've been given good advice, please take it on board.

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Olympiathequeen · 24/11/2016 10:41

DS is a march baby so he will be one of the youngest when he starts school. He was the youngest when he started nursery. Been there since the spring, half day.

The session the teacher talked about was a lecture type thing by a SLT. I did go with a friend whose DD has ASD and it was mostly about understanding and doing things like reading, talking to the child, explaining etc, all of which we already do. It wasn't a SLT referral.

He can do all the blowing, bubbles, faces and so on SLT exercises already as I do those with my older child who has a real SL delay as he has a physical disability. I have a private SLT for him who gives us exercises. We haven't seen her in months (variety of reasons) but she said 6 months ago not to be worried just yet. We don't do actual exercises with little DS but he can do all of them.

Think I will pop along to this open session then Smile. It won't hurt but deep down I'm not worried. I know what real worry is Grin

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ohdearme1958 · 24/11/2016 10:42

OP, I could be wrong but i suspect you associating SALT with ASD has made you decide you're 'not going there' with regard to your son because its all so very scary. But the reality is that your sons school has expressed concern and you should be sitting up and taking notice of it. Going to a few sessions of SALT therapy isn't going to hurt your son but not going could have far reaching consequences.

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NicknameUsed · 24/11/2016 10:42

Along with everyone else I am struggling to understand why you wouldn't have this looked at now.

The lad opposite us had a speech delay and it massively affected his confidence when he started school. He also struggled to make friends at first because no-one could understand him.

He is 15 now and fine, but you shouldn't make things difficult for your son.

So, yes, YABVU.

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Aeroflotgirl · 24/11/2016 10:42

I would, ds 4.10 years is speech delayed, and we went to the SALT drop in at the Surestart centre. Yes, early intervention is the key. Ds is now at school, and has speech therapy intervention within the school, with the school speech therapist.

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ohdearme1958 · 24/11/2016 10:43

We cross posted OP.

Its great that your going to go along.

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MrsJayy · 24/11/2016 10:43

SALT isn't just for ASD not sure where you got that idea from your son will be at school in a year or so he is nearly 4 his speech is not clear for whatever reason you are being offered help why you wouldn't take it is beyond me yabu it's not about you it is about your son

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