Speech experst (Moondog?) - I have a query about ds2 speech...

[popsycal]

DS2 was 3 last month. His language is great. Understands everything, can follow 3-step instructions - no worries about that.

I have been keeping an eye on his speech but suspect it is within the 'normal' range. We can understand just about everything he says. Then a few days ago, a 'friend' asked if ds2 was seeing anyone about his speech. I ignored it but it is playing on my mind a little....so here I am.

So, examples:

• he still says 'me' rather than 'I' most of the time so we get 'Me do dis'
• he can't say more difficult phonemes (which I suspect is fine for this age) so 'blankie' is, rather comically, 'wankie'
• he struggles with the 's' and 'l' sound though is improving. So we get 'Me do dis mine hef' (I'll do this myself')

I suspect also that he has an undiagnosed tongue tie (lizard tongue when he sticks it out and can't stick it out very far) - though this had no effect on his 3 years of breastfeeding.

He is also getting icreasingly frustrated if we can't understand a word that he is trying to say and is begining to resort to 'charades' in such instances to make himself understood. He also gets himself in a muddle occasionally and says, with a crestfallen look on his face 'Just can't say it, Mummy!'

I still suspect he is 'normal' with his speech development but just wanted some advice before I speak to the HV - who I haven't seen see ds2 was about 3 weeks old....

Thanks in advance!!

Sometimes people who don't know much about children have very unrealistic expectations on what children should be doing.

If you suspect he is in the normal range, then he probably is, and for what it's worth, he sounds better my dd1 at a similar age.

But it is worth mentioning it to the HV even for just reassurance. Definitely mention the tongue tie.

I have sent Moondog a link to this thread.

Meant to add, sounds normal to me.

Thank you! I think he is fairly normal too - whatever that means.

Just the fact that I had been keeping my eye on it recently then someone mentions it made it play on my mind a little....

bump

For waht it's worth, I have a friend whose ds was 3 last month and his speech is much less developed than your ds's from the sound of it. He has only just started talking at all in recognisable language. I'm sure your ds is well within the normal range.

bump

anyone there?

Child is normal

friend is arse

ignore

phonetic development table

Thanks Twig

I was trying to google that table befor but couldnt find it

within normal range IMO. If no-one else has expressed a concern and you don;t have one would be tempted to conclude problem is with friend rather than ds.

mention to HV if it is bothering you.