Speech problems

[frustratedwiththepandemic]

My 4yo has speech problems. He didn't talk until almost 2.

Due to Covid he was delayed in being assessed and has now had one block of 4 sessions. We are waiting for the next block. They have given us some actitivies to do but I want to make sure we aren't missing anything. We've recently discovered he may have a non-obvious hearing issue so waiting for that to be assessed too

Any tips or advice? Anything at all which you have found helped?

Some children only say a few words even at 5 years old - children grow at different rates. You’re saying he started talking at 2 which is a good sign because in order to say words, you need to copy and to copy you need to hear. So hearing wise I think he might be ok but see how your assessment goes to. Some children simply don’t have much to say - they listen more than talking. Does he understand what you say and respond correctly? Don’t look into it too much. Make sure you continue what you’re doing. Talk to him, ask him questions, ask him to choose between two things by showing them, etc. Hope this helps.

What was your diagnosis from the SLT? Different speech issues need different approaches. Its so hard at the moment. My son has a severe speech sound disorder and has had one NHS session in over a year.

Sorry perhaps my OP wasn't clear. So his speech is unclear. There is quite a lot of 'processes' he is using. The SLT noted in her assessment that when he was speaking out of context, he was difficult to understand.

I understand him 95% of the time and nursery are pretty good too but overall his speech is not clear at all and sounds very jumbled.

He talks lots. Comes out with new sentences all the time. But it's just not clear speech sounds.

@MyFloorIsLava

What was your diagnosis from the SLT? Different speech issues need different approaches. Its so hard at the moment. My son has a severe speech sound disorder and has had one NHS session in over a year.

There are so many letters he struggles with. In fact when I contacted SLT I wasn't able to clearly identify which letters he struggled with coz most of his speech is jumbled if that makes sense.

She did say it's the common sounds children struggle with but it's just that he's struggling with majority of them which is what is creating the difficulty.

My DD (3) is in the exact same position. I had her assessed by a private SALT via zoom a week ago, now awaiting Audiology appointment and just working through activites given by SALT. SALT will review progress in 2 weeks and come up with a bespoke plan which I will then pay for a session between SALT and DDs keyworker at playgroup so the plan can be put into action.

I'm just reassured that SALT thinks it is purely a non obvious hearing issue or a mechanical issue with generating the speech sounds. I had started getting stressed out that DDs speech problems could be a symptom of a larger SEN issue with lifelong repurcussions for DD. I feel that this is something that we can tackle together, and I am very relieved.

Hi OP there are a few things which might help!
There are some apps where words can be selected and clearly sounded, then the child repeats the word back phonetically then as normal, following the screen. If hearing is an issue this could be a great start ?

Any interruptions/repetitions, two way convos you can encourage through play will also really help. As with everything repetition and practice also helps.

There are also phonic sound button sets where each finger pad makes the sound and you get a scrabble style holder to arrange the phonic buttons into words and then each button can be used to verbally construct and repeat the word. Brilliant investment for children who struggle with clarity and confidence of speech.

There are also two heavily recommended textbooks with different methods and strategies to try , a great deal of it is play based so easily delivered.

Weirdly singing really helped us with annunciations and clearer speech. You might get tired of some songs and rhymes but it helped too.

Speech sound processes are common at his age, all most all children grow out of it with no input. The problem can be when it has an impact on learning and social interaction. Personally if he’s unintelligible to unfamiliar people I’d contact a private salt to get a block of therapy.

He will grow out of it with practice and with time. He’s still learning and getting used to speaking and children develop differently - not every child is the same. So he’s definitely heading in the right direction so just keep him practicing and he’ll get there.

@RIPWalter

My DD (3) is in the exact same position. I had her assessed by a private SALT via zoom a week ago, now awaiting Audiology appointment and just working through activites given by SALT. SALT will review progress in 2 weeks and come up with a bespoke plan which I will then pay for a session between SALT and DDs keyworker at playgroup so the plan can be put into action.

I'm just reassured that SALT thinks it is purely a non obvious hearing issue or a mechanical issue with generating the speech sounds. I had started getting stressed out that DDs speech problems could be a symptom of a larger SEN issue with lifelong repurcussions for DD. I feel that this is something that we can tackle together, and I am very relieved.

Glad to hear this. Keep me posted

Excellent advice thanks so much! Do you know the names of any apps/ the textbooks you mentioned and are you able to link the phonics sound sets at all?

@doubleshotespresso

@Thatswatshesaid I was wondering this.. will have a look into it. Thanks

@MummyofBaby

He will grow out of it with practice and with time. He’s still learning and getting used to speaking and children develop differently - not every child is the same. So he’s definitely heading in the right direction so just keep him practicing and he’ll get there.

Thank you for the reassurance

@frustratedwiththepandemic please see below the link for the Sonic phonics sound buttons

www.inclusive.co.uk/sonic-phonics-p2202

Books:

https://www.abebooks.co.uk/Words-Helping-Parents-Promote-Communication-Social/30932935139/bd?cmmmc=ggllUKUKShoppoppTextbookstandardrd--producttid=COUK9780921145141USED--keyword=&gclid=CjwKCAjwwqaGBhBKEiwAMk-FtJj45BKUT5u9CRiYbWSGc1tiJnOLupe5o5xBVd5GRuNl5ji8fP-l8BoCzkkQAvDDBwE

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Takes-Two-Talk-Practical-Children/dp/0921145527/ref=ascdff0921145527nodl/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310973726618&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8087621994349360326&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9044970&hvtargid=pla-418652488078&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

Apps: sltforkids.co.uk/blog/useful-apps-to-enhance-your-childs-speech-and-language/

I will find you more links to apps , strangely done if the free apps actually worked better for us.

speechbloguk.com/top-10-apps-for-4-7-year-olds/

My lb didn't speak properly until 3!

Me and the hv were confident in his understanding, so left things and let him develop at his own rate.

He's 6 now, and speaking very clearly with a wide vocabulary, although it's only when he turned 5 he became consistently understandable.

Common with boys to lag behind.

Do you have any concerns about his understanding?

Great advice from pp, just posting for more reassurance because I remember how frustrating it was for me and his dad!

@Notashandyta

Great advice from pp, just posting for more reassurance because I remember how frustrating it was for me and his dad!

Thank you! Yes it is common. Like I said I understand him most of the time but when I don't he gets really upset. PP's advice was exactly what I was looking for!

@Notashandyta

My lb didn't speak properly until 3!

Me and the hv were confident in his understanding, so left things and let him develop at his own rate.

He's 6 now, and speaking very clearly with a wide vocabulary, although it's only when he turned 5 he became consistently understandable.

Common with boys to lag behind.

Do you have any concerns about his understanding?

No problems with understanding.

@doubleshotespresso

Apps: sltforkids.co.uk/blog/useful-apps-to-enhance-your-childs-speech-and-language/

I will find you more links to apps , strangely done if the free apps actually worked better for us.

Thank you for all this amazing advice! Exactly what I was hoping I would get!