3 year old not talking

[polkadottedness]

Hello all,

I'm new to the site waves to all

Background: I am the stepmother to a gorgeous 3 year old boy who lives with us - I am a SAHSM!

He is a fairly happy well adjusted boy who loves playing with his trains.

He isn't talking in full sentences yet. It sounds like he is trying to make a sentence, and then always the last word will be the word that makes sense, so we can work it out - so for example he will say something like "gagagagaglabalaaalaa train" and point at it.

I know that children all develop at their own rate and some children don't start talking until they are 4.

I am desperate to help and encourage his learning and talking and trying to find resources on thet interet. Maybe some games we can play - books we can read. What other things should I be doing on a daily basis that will help and encourage his learning?

Can anybody point me in the right direction please? Any words of wisdom most appreciated.

Thank you :)

If he is not talking at three I personally believe that he should be being assessed and seeing Speech and language therapists. Imediately

Language does come in at different stages, and maybe it will sort itself out. If however he has a difficulty that needs some support then the sooner he gets it the better. My son was not talking at three and still has massive speech difficulties now aged 14.

If the problems is going to resolve itself the SALT will not stop that. but if it needs assistance then the sooner the better.

First of all, the fact that he is attempting to speak is good. Also, the fact that he is pointing and has joint attention (ie sharing his info about the train with you) is also very good developmentally.

However, by 3 most children will be fairly easy to understand therefore I would recommend speaking to your GP or HV about a referral for SALT. There is usually quite a waiting list and it may be that by the time an appointment come up his speech has improved dramatically. However, best to get on the waiting list now.

It sounds like you're doing a great job! Just continue sharing books and playing games that require lots of verbal interaction. (Have a look at the Orchard toys range.)

I'm sure you'll get more specific help but just wanted to reassure you slightly.

"I'm sure you'll get more specific help but just wanted to reassure you slightly. "

Yes. Pinkjello is quite right. And reading back my post it sounds stern. I didn't mean it like that.

All interaction with him will help as long as you are talking to him, modelling good communication and leaving space for him to reply. DON'T correct him - just say the word he is reaching for correctly
so when he does

"gagagagaglabalaaalaa train" and point at it. "
you just say " oh, you can see the train. yes- what a lovely train'

If that makes sense.

I just get concerned when people believe that speech will just come in. Sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes children need help. DS2 has verbal dyspraxia. All the work I did with him helped a bit but he needed structed tailored help.

I think we x posts Pag, I wasn't directing that at you!

I agree that sometimes help is needed which is why I suggested visiting the GP.

Sadly, too often on these types of threads over the years I've read well meaning posters just tell the OP, 'Oh it will be fine, they all develop at their own rate' followed by some anecdote about how their DS/friends DS sat was non-verbal or sat spinning in circles until they were 6! It's just not always helpful, however well-intentioned.

However, I wanted to reassure the OP that the attempt at speech and the joint attention was all good too!

Thank you both, and your comments have been VERY gratefully taken on board.

I agree with the GP visit actually, there absolutely is no harm in looking for an appointment if there is a long waiting list.

Another thing I wanted to ask - was, when he does say "glalalalala train" and points, I will assume he wants the train, and if he does, I would say "do you want the train" - and he would answer "yes" - is it wrong to say the sentences for him?

It is really going to be about his reaction.

You could feign confusion or just be unresponsive if youthink that may prompt him to try the word.

The thing I would watch is frustration.

I did that a bit with DS2 but I persisted even when he didn't articulate the correct word and a few months in he was a twisted ball of frustration.
I was tryingto prompt him to say something that he was actually unable to say.
poor boy.

But try it. Just be sure to repeat and praise any clear articulation.

SLT will often be clear guidance on exactly those issues. Ilearnt how to help DS2 from the SLT team.

oh pagwatch you just made me cry, more from relief really.

I am feeling very alone at the minute with 3 year old DS, very bright and happy but severe speech delay.

I don't know if I can cope anymore with people tellng me it will come.

I agree it is def worth getting him looked at, the sooner the better. My son is under speech and language and has been for about a year. he is due to go to S&L unit in September.

I just read the can your 3 yeard old count thread and got myself in a tizzy

sorry for slight hijack

awww Maxy.

I am glad you are both getting some help - it made huge differences for DS2.

Threads about toddlers abilities on MN are barmy - take no notice. I have a very bright DS1 who is applying to uni at the monment and got 6A8s and 3 As at GCSE and he sounds like a dimwit compared to half the children people post about on here. take a big chunckof it with a pinch of salt.

when you say 3 how old do you actually mean? just turned 3 or nearly 4?

very interested in this as 2.9 ds doesn't speak clearly at all,

milf= milk
dargh= dark
wagggghhh=watch

he can say some words clearly like 'more please' and 'car' but 90% of what he says is unrecognisable, his hearing is fine as he can hear a crisp packet being opened 3 rooms away

bamboo
my personal guide is that if a child does not have a decent number of clear words at 2 then you should get some advice and get on the list for SALT.
DS2 has exceptional hearing as well actually. He would alweays react to my DS1s school bus approaching before it even reached the school car park

that's a trip to the gp for me then.

i was hoping it would improve but he is still the same as he was a year ago.

my DS has exceptional hearing too.

He is being treated for verbal dyspraxia and he is only just 3 He cannot join any words together yet yet understands more than he should

Thanks pag, sometimes I feel like a fraud and other times so totally bloody useless!

bamboo if no improvement then def def take him!

Lol at the toddlers' threads pagwatch . You are so right - much of it is hugely exaggerrated IMO.

I would agree with others who have suggested GP referral. Get him in the system and then see what happens.

Good luck .

P.S. pagwatch, if you remember our conversation about diet and ASD a couple of weeks ago, my friend's son is being assessed next week. From my obs of him last week I'm pretty sure he's going to get a diagnosis but she's in huge denial at the mo .

I hope the assessments gives her some answers and him some support. You are a good friend to her.