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Original poster

Does he need speech therapy?

8 replies

McDreamy · 18/03/2009 11:10

DS is 3.8 and is a delightful little boy. He has a vast vocabulary but his pronunciation is not very good. As his mum and his main carer I can understand alot more of what he says than most people.

Should I be worried about this, should I speak to my HV/GP or just leave it hoping eventually it will sort itself out? He starts school in September and I am worried they might not be able to understand him.

OP posts:
Luxmum · 18/03/2009 11:56

Well, does anyone else understand him, or are certain words or sounds his issue, such as pronouncing bs or something? Do you have to translate what he says to people, or do you do it automatically, so that the child doesnt actually NEED to try to speak clearly? I'd say you're fine, my nephew has just been staying with us for a few days, he is 7, and with his accent, his mumbling, his low speach levels, and his boring Chelsea Always Lose conversation topics, I admit I dont understand him, no do I make the effort of really wanting to understand him. But he does fine in school, so there you go. I'm sure that at that age, most of his peers are mumbling, or not speaking very clearly either, I really doubt it would be any issue at all. Wait and ask his teacher after a week or two.

Original poster
McDreamy · 18/03/2009 12:05

Thanks Luxmum. I don't have to translate everything it is certain words and sounds. His pre school haven't highlighted any problems but his peers seem to be much clearer in their speech than him (I know I shouldn't compare).

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madmouse · 18/03/2009 14:34

have you had his hearing checked lately?

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Original poster
McDreamy · 18/03/2009 14:34

No I haven't but it did cross my mind.

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madmouse · 18/03/2009 15:04

It is an easy thing to do, the hv or gp should be able to refer you. It most definitely comes before speech therapy and is worth doing if you are at all concerned about his speech.

lal123 · 18/03/2009 15:10

when dd started school at 4 she was referred to a speech therapist because of poor pronuciation. Between the appointment and onward referral to a speech therapy group/hearing assessment clinic(about 3 weeks) her pronunciation improved amazingly and I cancelled all the onward referrals. Itwas amaxing the difference being in school and getting support from a good teacher made.

With dd it was her "g"s, her "f"s and her "k"s which cuased most problem

jacobisaacsmum · 18/03/2009 20:25

Hello from your friendly speech therapist mumsnetter! I would say no harm at all in getting referred, you may have a bit of a wait for an appointment depending where you are. Don't worry about going, the therapist will be gentle and any assessment will be picture or toy based. I think having a chat with a therapist will be reassuring for you and will mean you are 'on the books' if and when any treatment is needed. A hearing test is a great idea as that will be the first thing a therapist arranges to rule out any difficulties. Hope that helps

Original poster
McDreamy · 19/03/2009 12:56

Thank you, have now got the details of my local SALT.

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