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

[Olympiathequeen]

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?

[Olympiathequeen]

Thanks for the help everyone. We'll go along and listen and also for an informal assessment and take it from there. I guess it makes sense now to get some help rather than leave it til late, and if the teacher has mentioned it then it would help DSs confidence in speaking up in the future.

Just to clarify, we all do the talking back 'modelling' and say what he says correctly, it was just I didn't want to stop him mid flow and say 'say xyz properly DS' which is what grandma has done! We parrot everything.

We've not had his hearing tested recently as it was fine when he had all his check ups and I would have said he's never had an ear infection but took him to the doc this week with some swollen glands and he's got a burst eardrum! Never complained of ear pain, ever! We'll get him checked again

[Pluto30]

If the OP were in the southern hemisphere, her son would be one of the youngest in his grade (or oldest, if he was held back a year). But as she's in the UK, this won't be a issue.

I don't see the harm in looking into the concerns further. The last thing you want to do is dismiss it as unimportant or not worth worrying about and then find that he falls even further behind.

Not being able to speak on par with his peers may really knock his confidence when he gets to school.

[emmanuelcant]

DD: My name is Farah
SALT: Oh, did you mean Farah or did you mean Sarah?
DD: Sarah

It's worrying that an SLT doesn't see a problem modeling the error as well as the correct sound. Unless it's a specific session such as differentiating /k/ and /t/, you want the student to hear a good sound model.

[hoopdeloop]

Glad you're going along OP, my youngest brother had difficulties pronouncing his 'sh' sound and was referred to SALT. It wasn't all mouth exercises that he did, there were lots of games specific to the sound he found difficult which were great and he was soon pronouncing his 'sh' sound

As a teacher, I taught a girl who had the same difficulties pronouncing 'g' and 'd' . Even with all the modelling back and going over her phonics, she still needed focussed input that helped her.

[Silverdream]

You said that he doesn't say anything in nursery - this rings very loud alarm bells to me. Choosing not to talk in certain situations can lead to psychological difficulties. You must get speech and language therapy and if the selective mutism continues psychologist support too

[avengers2016]

I'm an SLT. No idea why you think we work with ASD predominantly - speech development issues is our main bread and butter work.

Your son sounds like he need a speech assessment to see whether he is delayed (following a normal pattern of development but slower) or disordered (using differing speech process than normal or retaining those which shouldn't be present) - if you don't know this information you have no way of knowing whether you should be concerned or not.

Not engaging in communication at nursery also tells me he feelings about the way he talks.

Please take him to be assessed and get support if he needs it.

[Olympiathequeen]

Just a quick update.

DS saw the ENT specialist who said his eardrum hadn't burst but just had a lot of peeling skin which looked similar and which he hoovered out. DS as usual good as gold and sat quietly throughout. He also said he has glue ear! Never had an ear infection we know of. He's referred DS for a hearing test and if it's affecting his hearing fit grommits. I guess that's an anaesthetic?

SLT said he doesn't have delayed speech as he is speaking in full sentences but has immature speech typically seen in a dummy or thumb sucker. Of which he is neither! She did recommend a hearing test too. This was before ENT appointment.

So I guess there is no point in trying to get him to speak more clearly when he probably can't hear well enough to distinguish sounds clearly, and we just need to wait on the hearing tests?

Listening to him now it's pretty obvious all the words and intonnations are there, it just seems the edges are all softened and blurred, if that makes sense? Bit embarrassed now we didn't look at this sooner, but he's never had issues with ear or throats infections.

[MammyNeedsASpaDay]

I could've written this post! Except I was the one worrying and the school said things were fine.

My boy struggles with S F and L. He talks in sentences and we understand but I'd say grandparents don't. I try my best to get him to talk s but more slowly but I guess it'll come over time. This isn't helped by my daughter talking perfectly from an incredibly young age....and my littlest heading the same way as her. I hope he catches up before the littlest leapfrogs but he will get there x

[Olympiathequeen]

mammy. I'd definitely get his hearing checked out. It's come completely out of the blue for us that he has glue ear.

School did flag it up for us and said to have an assessment but we always thought DS has perfect hearing. It was a real shock.

It could be your boy is not hearing these sounds he isn't pronouncing.