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3 year old speech and communication

2 replies

fulltimedaddy · 12/10/2020 09:10

Hi guys!
I’m starting to worry about the way my three year old communicates, he was a late talker (started at 2 years old) so we’ve not been overly concerned until very recently,
However we went for a play date with another boy his age recently and I was struck by how he was communicating with his mum, it was like a full on back and forth conversation, like a tiny teenager..
With our son he mostly refuses to answer questions unless he stands to get something out of it.. e.g if I ask him what he had for dinner, he’ll reply with “anything”
Or if I ask him what he did at his nanas house, he’ll reply “can you tell me?”
No matter how we try to encourage him to tell us, he just refuses, and eventually wanders off to do something else
We were at nursery recently and I picked him up just as he’d finished his lunch, so his teacher said “we’ve just had our lunch haven't we.. do you remember what it was?”
He instantly replied “Can you tell me?” We both laughed it off.. but it’s quickly becoming the answer to every question

It’s almost like he doesn’t like the pressure of being asked to think, so it’s easier for him to get everyone else to do it..
I’d say his speech is also quite behind where it should be at this stage, there’s lots of words he won’t attempt to pronounce correctly.. he’ll use the very front of his tongue to pronounce most words, so instead of “can I have a drink please? .thankyou”
He’ll say:
“Tan I have a din pease? tantoo”

There are certain letters he will never use naturally, like the letter F... he can do it, he just chooses not to and will make an S sound instead.. I’m wondering if and when I should be looking at speech therapy or wether it’s something more serious..

OP posts:
Crinkleypeach · 12/10/2020 10:45

I would love some answers to this also! I could have written your OP well some of it anyway. I had a late talker and was told it isn't anything to worry about, when pushed he had the words there and the right answers, it was almost like he didnt feel the need to speak he pronounces things well but doesn't often have more than 3 or 4 Back and fourth questions and answers or conversation.

However.... he started at pre school and his confidence with other children and adults has really come on. He is using his communication skills more and he will even try to help other children by teaching them about the things he is playing with or interested in. We have a small issue with some letters for example the letter L

I was wondering about speech therapy I did have a chat with one of his teachers about how they thought he was coming along and they said now he has settled into the new school routine he is definitely coming out of his shell more and chatting confidently with others even making friends and using their names which is great. They don't think there is any need for speech therapy at this stage as it seems that given time he is progressing well.

I would be interested to see anyone else's experiences and opinions/ professional opinions also.

LayingLow · 27/10/2020 23:01

My son is 2yr 8months and he's recently started to count to 10 but he dosent pronounce all the words correctly and he also won't say "F" so for "four,five" he just makes sounds like sort of hums it but u can see thats what he's trying to say.. he was referred to the paediatrician at his 2yr review because he has alot of autistic traits and my eldest daughter is also autistic.. but the paediatrician declined referral and said could be down to his age and to refer back at 3yrs if still a concern, which there is.. he was seen by speech and language and they reffered him to audiology at the hospital for a hearing test and that was all perfect nothing wrong with his hearing so thats not the reason for him not talking and communicating..
I think you should definitely get in contact with speech and language and see what they say, they are great help. They will probably also refer your son for a hearing test to make sure he can hear all frequencys x

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