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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

nearly four but still babbles...

60 replies

moodster3 · 03/02/2014 21:39

My son is four at the end of the month; he is potty trained, can feed himself, dress himself, tidy his toys and can do everything that is asked of him. The nursary has said he is very bright But he doesn't talk. He baby talks and none of it understandable except his sister's name and Mum/Dad. We had his hearing tested today and it's perfect so the expects are not sure why he isn't talking. Is anyone else's child like this?

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yegodsandlittlefishes · 04/02/2014 20:38

Not to take anything from what has already been said, but don't completely rule out some form of deafness if he has only been tested once. A bright child can easly give false positives by reading body language (I know several who have at that age who were later found to have various degrees of deafness). One of my friend's children babbled in incomprehensible 'sentences'. As soon as she had grommets fitted she became completely understandable!

Original poster

moodster3 · 04/02/2014 21:15

The woman assured me his hearing is perfect as she Said she included higher and lower frequency sounds that isn't normally included in the standard test. It's the first time they put headphones on him hooked up to a machine. He seemed to enjoy it as it was treated like a game where every time he heard a sound he was to put a man in a boat. But I did say before they did the test is it does sometimes seem like he can't hear and reads your lips instead. When she did the object on a table test she covered her own mouth and whispered and got the objects correct except two, plate and plane. I'm hoping we figure out what's causing the delay. Maybe he will surprise us. He's very good at imaginative play, it's funny to watch especially when he has his starwars men attack the Ben ten aliens but a dragon comes along and scares them away. He likes to roar....especially since he got a dragon for Christmas.

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fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 04/02/2014 21:17

I would agree with getting some private SaLT. Am also in Edinburgh and am not impressed with NHs provision.

Ragusa · 04/02/2014 21:49

I think it's terrible you're having to fight for some sort of referral with a child who is not speaking clearly at the age of four . I think he needs a proper diagnosis to be honest. Maybe the GP can hurry things up a bit.

Original poster

moodster3 · 04/02/2014 22:12

We had to wait nearly a year before we were finally called in to see his first consultation with the speech therapists. They wanted to ruIe out any hearing problems, i honestly thought they would've given him regular one to one but they said The best option would be for me not him to go to classes that would help him. I've done everything they have asked by going to the group meeting and ( I've been doing flash card and apps in my tablet with him and miming too and attempting sign while we see where else they send us. We been doing different sets of cards alternatively for last year while we waited) and it's upsetting to see him no further forward with his speech. It's my fault that I'm not more pushy... I'm going to try and get hold of his speech therapist tomorrow. Do you think camping out at the doctors will work since she not replying to me?

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ATacticalNameChange · 04/02/2014 22:18

Yes, I think camping out at the doctors and aonly those sking for a referral to a developmental paed is the way to go. Predumably if you are looking at entry to a speech and lang unit then you will need a paed's input and diagnosis? I am in England tjo where things will be different.

It is categorically NOT your fault for not being pushy enough. At fault is an over-stretched system where only those who shout the loudest get heard :(

ATacticalNameChange · 04/02/2014 22:19

"asking for a referral", that should've been

citysnow · 04/02/2014 22:21

I would go in to the office and say that you were worried that your messages weren't getting through to her as you hadn't been called back. Ask for another 1:1 appointment to discuss options and next steps.
You are doing a lot with him but as he is not making progress with speech (but is developing well in all other areas) he really should be a priority.
Ask them if they think he has "specific language impairment". Can they refer to an educational psychologist? (Who will be able to test other non-verbal learning areas)

citysnow · 04/02/2014 22:23

Maybe this site would help you
www.talkingpoint.org.uk/

Noname74 · 04/02/2014 22:26

My Ds is 3 in aug so a September school starter,he also has no speech apart from 3 words lots of babbling but no recognisable words,we have just started a statement of learning application for him.Have had no reason or diagnosis for him.He currently sees speech and language also attends a speech and language group once a week run by them.It is very frustrating for both him and me,He also had a few development delays but seems to be coming on in that since nursery,but still no speech.Also his hearing tests came in fine so that's be end ruled out.

Noname74 · 04/02/2014 22:28

Sorry should of been he is 4 in aug not 3 lol

Original poster

moodster3 · 04/02/2014 22:33

The initial consultation was amusing in the sense that they thought I was from the highlands and islands although I am from Fife and have never been to the highlands and islands. They asked me to slow down how I speak, to pause between words and simplify everything when talking to my youngest. My other two speak like me but I've had to encourage them to do the same when talking to youngest. At the same time tho I'm worried that speaking to him like that is going to make him think he is different. A few times I've spoken my usual way and he's understood. Thank you, citysnow, I will have a look at that link the now. :-)

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Original poster

moodster3 · 04/02/2014 22:39

So your in the same boat as me noname74, it's very frustrating isn't it. I didn't know about the education statements until a lovely lady suggest it to me on this post.

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sunnyfriday · 05/02/2014 06:55

as far as I know, statements of Sen are not done in scotland. not sure what the process is up there though.

your GP should be able to refer you to a developmental paed. quiet shocked you have not been referred yet.

Noname74 · 05/02/2014 07:39

Yes in the same boat My son also has seen the paediatrician in July last year,he also has a appointment with 1 today at the centre he attends speech and language at.He has been watched by a educational phycologist in nursery it was she who suggested to start the statement process rolling,his nursery done the forms,He has also been put on a early pathway were all the health professionals involved in his care plus myself have a meeting together to in sure he is getting the best care for his needs.xx

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 05/02/2014 08:06

There are no statements in Scotland.

Instead there are IEPs (Individual Education Plans).

I think you should ask for referral to a paediatrician and take things from there.

Original poster

moodster3 · 05/02/2014 08:09

Your correct sunnyFriday, I just looked it up and it's only available in England and Wales. I'm wondering if a similar procedure is done here but with a different name. As soon as kids at school I'm going down to the doctors and the clinic and the centre to try and move forward with them instead of feeling bumped off by them. They had told me next group is in mid March. I know it's only a month but I feel time is not on my side if that makes sense.

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fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 05/02/2014 08:11

I think we cross posted..there are IEPs :)

Original poster

moodster3 · 05/02/2014 08:12

Thank you fanforthemammaries, you saved me research. :-)

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fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 05/02/2014 08:16

You should start investigating language units now for him when he starts Primary 1.

The nursery should be able to help with this and to refer him to an educational psychologist.

Thewhingingdefective · 05/02/2014 08:35

Definitely get his gearing checked.

My DS is four in May and has a very limited vocabulary. Four hearing tests last year suggest glue ear and we are now waiting for an appointment at the ENT clinic to see if he needs grommets.

Thewhingingdefective · 05/02/2014 08:36

Sorry, I totally missed that you have had his hearing checked, ignore my post.

Original poster

moodster3 · 05/02/2014 08:53

I've now got an appointment to see a pediatric nurse. She's coming out next week to do an assessment with him. I also contacted his health visitor who said she will chase up his speech therapist and have her contact me again.

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fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 05/02/2014 08:57

Sounds like a good start :)

confusedofengland · 05/02/2014 09:09

He sounds a lot like my DS2, except my DS is nearly 3 (in April), not nearly 4.

Have you tried giving him omega-3 vitamins? Apparently, they are supposed to help concentration & speech. I started DS2 on some about a fortnight ago & I think I'm seeing an improvement. It can't harm them, anyway.

Definitely keep plugging away with the professionals. I know you've had a hearing test, but how long ago was it? Another one could be useful if it's been a few months.

Also, with my DS, we are going to lots of different toddler groups, singing groups & talking groups, as I believe that singing helps to encourage talking. Would these be suitable for your DS or do you think he's too old?

He sounds like a lovely boy, though, with great imaginative play skills, so that is in your favour.

Good luck

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