speech clarity issues

[abseptember]

I brought up at L's 2 1/2 yr apt that her speech clarity wasn't great. At that time, she barely made the Dr's cut off for clarity. Since then, she's gained tons and tons of words and speaks in sentences but the clarity of her speech still isn't good. In particular, she often substitutes d for other letters. I looked up info on how to work with your kid on this and we already do all the suggestions I came across. So I'm not sure what to do at this point- wait till her 3 yr apt, call Dr now for referral, wait till she starts preschool in the fall and see if it helps, something else? Thoughts?

[lainikins]

I would ask for a referral if you are thinking it might be an issue. The worst thing that would happen is they would evaluate her and say she does not qualify for services. They might even give you some suggestions, but then you would have some price of mind. All of the research that I have points to the earlier the intervention is the more successful it is in the long run. Good luck.

[nursedesi]

We are going through the same issue. They just sent the referral but because hes with in 45 days of his 3rd bday they wont do anything for him at this point. After 3 they only see the kids at school, here anyways. So Henry wont even get a eval until 2 months after he turns 3.

I guess unless if want to go to another town and pay out of pocket and then pay for everything out of pocket until he starts preschool.

[abseptember]

May 14, 2015 7:50:20 GMT -5 nursedesi said:

We are going through the same issue. They just sent the referral but because hes with in 45 days of his 3rd bday they wont do anything for him at this point. After 3 they only see the kids at school, here anyways. So Henry wont even get a eval until 2 months after he turns 3.

I guess unless if want to go to another town and pay out of pocket and then pay for everything out of pocket until he starts preschool.

I'm wondering about the school thing too. I know we have speech therapy thru insurance but not sure of the coverage. Also not sure if the preschool has speech services bc it is a co-op.

[mommymadness]

I feel like Benjamin doesn't speak clearly either. He doesn't say the f sound or a few others. For example he can say some words that start with t but then won't say others that are just as easy. He says dad but won't say dog. He says gog. He still doesn't even say his name clearly. He just says be (sounds like beh) he just won't finish word sounds, for some words.
On the other hand he is talking a lot more and in sentences. When I asked the health nurse what she though back when he was 2.5, she said wait and see closer to when he is 3 if the clarity improves. She sent me home with an assessment to fill out for things he can do for his specific age and he could do all of them but just not with clarity, IMO. Sorry it got long! I guess what my point is, is we are right there with you! I think I am going to make an appointment To discuss it before he turns 3 as there is a bit of a wait!

[vtkatydid12]

I have some concerns about this as well. M was in speech therapy but was discharged in March because her word count and usage exploded. She speaks in long sentences but I think over half of what she says is hard to understand unless you are around her a lot and/or understand the context of what she is talking about. When she was discharged, the therapist mentioned intelligibility of speech and said they don't really start looking at that as an issue until the child is 3, so we are giving it a little time. I also recall the speech folks saying that at 2, a stranger should be able to understand about half of what the kids say and at 3 (as in, sometime during the year they are 3, not specifically at the third birthday), a stranger should understand 75% of what they say. Not sure if this is a universal "rule," but it made me feel better.

The speech therapist recommended Teach me to Talk as a good resource. I haven't looked there for specific info on this topic yet, but it might be helpful.

[cookiesandwine]

Sadie was evaluated as part of the PreK program through our school district. There were some sounds she didn't enunciate clearly (L's were a big one and combos like TR, tree would just become tee). The SLP said most of that is developmental and just will come with age and there isn't much to do at this point. I was glad for the eval though because it can be noted in her file so it can be more closely monitored for improvement once she starts school.

Does her preschool have an SLP that could do an eval?

[abseptember]

May 14, 2015 13:28:55 GMT -5 vtkatydid12 said:

I have some concerns about this as well. M was in speech therapy but was discharged in March because her word count and usage exploded. She speaks in long sentences but I think over half of what she says is hard to understand unless you are around her a lot and/or understand the context of what she is talking about. When she was discharged, the therapist mentioned intelligibility of speech and said they don't really start looking at that as an issue until the child is 3, so we are giving it a little time. I also recall the speech folks saying that at 2, a stranger should be able to understand about half of what the kids say and at 3 (as in, sometime during the year they are 3, not specifically at the third birthday), a stranger should understand 75% of what they say. Not sure if this is a universal "rule," but it made me feel better.

The speech therapist recommended Teach me to Talk as a good resource. I haven't looked there for specific info on this topic yet, but it might be helpful.

What you described sounds just like L.... she talks in long sentences but a lot is hard to understand.... especially with her using d to substitute. Her pedi said understand 75% by 3 so thats different than what you heard. If it within the age of 3, then im not so concerned bc she still has so much time. I will definitely check out that website.... thank you and good luck!

[abseptember]

May 14, 2015 11:34:00 GMT -5 mommymadness said:

I feel like Benjamin doesn't speak clearly either. He doesn't say the f sound or a few others. For example he can say some words that start with t but then won't say others that are just as easy. He says dad but won't say dog. He says gog. He still doesn't even say his name clearly. He just says be (sounds like beh) he just won't finish word sounds, for some words.
On the other hand he is talking a lot more and in sentences. When I asked the health nurse what she though back when he was 2.5, she said wait and see closer to when he is 3 if the clarity improves. She sent me home with an assessment to fill out for things he can do for his specific age and he could do all of them but just not with clarity, IMO. Sorry it got long! I guess what my point is, is we are right there with you! I think I am going to make an appointment To discuss it before he turns 3 as there is a bit of a wait!

Yes! I hear ya! She says "pinky pie" but when you ask her to just say pink she says "mink". I have to take the boys in soon so maybe I'll just make an apt for her at the same time. Let me know what your Dr says.

[abseptember]

May 14, 2015 15:16:25 GMT -5 cookiesandwine said:

Sadie was evaluated as part of the PreK program through our school district. There were some sounds she didn't enunciate clearly (L's were a big one and combos like TR, tree would just become tee). The SLP said most of that is developmental and just will come with age and there isn't much to do at this point. I was glad for the eval though because it can be noted in her file so it can be more closely monitored for improvement once she starts school.

Does her preschool have an SLP that could do an eval?

I'm not sure if her school has SLP. It's not a traditional preschool set up sin ce it is a co-op. That type of eval sounds great! Does every kid get one there? FWIW L can't say the L if the words starts with it but she can sometimes say it if the L is within the word. She cant do the tr sound at all.

[gk12]

I'll get some info together for you later but check out asha.org. Go to information for the public and then you should be able to find the norms for age. I'll link it after dinner.

[abseptember]

May 14, 2015 18:42:43 GMT -5 gk12 said:

I'll get some info together for you later but check out asha.org. Go to information for the public and then you should be able to find the norms for age. I'll link it after dinner.

thank you!

[gk12]

Sorry I totally fell asleep early last night.
Here's one link with good info:

www.asha.org/public/Early-Detection-of-Speech-Language-and-Hearing-Disorders/

This chart has norms for age 2-3
www.asha.org/public/speech/development/23.htm

Hope this helps!

[abseptember]

May 15, 2015 9:09:02 GMT -5 gk12 said:

Sorry I totally fell asleep early last night.
Here's one link with good info:

www.asha.org/public/Early-Detection-of-Speech-Language-and-Hearing-Disorders/

This chart has norms for age 2-3
www.asha.org/public/speech/development/23.htm

Hope this helps!

Thank you! I'm still not sure she is where she needs to be. She can do everything listed and I can understand her probably 75% of the time but that's bc I'm there and know the context. I found out there is a speech therapist in our neighbor who I know and I'm going to ask her to come talk with Leah and see what she thinks. She works with elementary kids including kindergarten. Based on what she says, I'll go from there.