Please or to access all these features

Behaviour/development

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

Should I mention my daughters speech disorder to people in front of her?

13 replies

mummyloveslucy · 22/02/2008 20:01

My 3 year old daughter has suspected verbal dyspraxia. She is very sociable and friendly and gets lots of attention for this reason. The problem is, when people who don't know her ask her her name, she says nothing and gets embarraced. It's because she can't say her own name. Most people give up and think she's either shy or rude. I never know if I should've said somthing to make them realise that she's not being rude. She also looks older than she is,which dosn't help. I usually wait a few seconds and then answer for her. They seem to look suprised when I do that. Should I let them know or say nothing ? My daughter is very sensitive and gets upset easily. This would be the last thing I'd want to happen.

OP posts:
FrannyandZooey · 22/02/2008 20:03

I wouldn't be surprised if I asked a 3 year old their name and they didn't answer

even a 4 or 5 year old

they are a bit strange if they think this is weird IMO!

I wouldn't say anything in front of her for the reasons you mention

TotalChaos · 22/02/2008 20:06

I have this too. If it's complete strangers asking, I just say he's a bit shy, or just answer for him. None of their business as to DS' speech problems.

stuffitllama · 22/02/2008 20:07

At three you don't need to explain, just jump in and say it.
Do you mean she can't say it because it's her name, or because it's difficult to pronounce? If it's the second, can you do something to change it, or let her choose a new nickname or something? I don't know, I guess you're getting help for it.. but I wouldn't think it was wierd if a 3 y o didn't give me her name either.

stuffitllama · 22/02/2008 20:08

weird

stuffitllama · 22/02/2008 20:09

that was a sp correction not a comment

southeastastra · 22/02/2008 20:11

agree with f&z, answer for her, i was very shy as a child and if someone asked me my name even at about 8 i'd hide.

mummyloveslucy · 22/02/2008 20:24

It isn't a difficult name really. It's Lucy. She can say you-you (Lou-Lou), but wont think of it as her name. When I try to get her to say her name she choses other names like mummy, Daddy, Mamma etc. I think she does know her name, because she answers to it.
It's a shame that "What's your name" is usually the first thing people say and she falls at the first hurdel. People usually give up after that which is a shame as she loves people talking to her and making a fus of her. It also re-enforces in her own mind, that she has difficulties. If people were to say "how are you" first, she'd be able to say "I fye" which is quite easy to understand.

OP posts:
bubblagirl · 22/02/2008 20:25

the only people i tell is the people he goes to nursery with as i dont want him being left out of things because they think his being rude

i answer for my ds when out and say he gets all shy bless him

dont really like telling mums at nursery but i'm not the only mum with dc with speech delay there so dont feel i should hide it from them i'm not ashamed but if strangers ask i dont feel they need to know our business

stuffitllama · 22/02/2008 20:31

Can you say "want to say hi, Lucy?" which tells the name and yet allows a bit of a convo if she is not feeling so shy?

stuffitllama · 22/02/2008 20:32

not a convo, I mean a bit of interaction
am posting crappily tonight and not making sense so going away
goodluck lucy's mum and bubbla

southeastastra · 22/02/2008 20:41

that's a great suggestion by stuffit

mummyloveslucy · 22/02/2008 20:48

stuffitllamma- That is a great piece of advice!! I will deffinatly try that from now on. It overcomes the problem compleatly.

OP posts:
stuffitllama · 22/02/2008 22:00

oh gosh back -- thanks really hope things work out x

New posts on this thread. Refresh page