Language development

Hi,

I've been told my son, who is almost five, has slurred speech, when we had our recent school interview for primary. He does say a few things in a very young child-like manner such as futer for computer and mokerbike for motor bike, ting for thing etc. Should I be concerned or am I over reacting? Should I consult a specialist speech pathologist?


His comprehension is spot on and at kindergarten he is doing really well learning letters and numbers.

Thanks

I'm not an expert but I would start with your ordinary pediatrician (maybe with a phone call). I have found that pediatricians are a great reality check. While your son may need a specialist, specialists are often a bit myopic about things. That is, if you go to a speech pathologist, that person's instinct may be to fix your son without looking at any eventual bigger picture.


Please note that I'm not dissing specialists. I'm just saying generalists have a just as necessary broader perspective.

Hi Boobear,

My 3.5 year old daughter's speech isn't very good either. She would say "pour" instead of "four" and she'll say "wang" instead of "one".

I spoke to her teachers who both assured me that she'll grow out of it but they say that if I'm worried, I could see a speech pathologist. Her friends speak much better.

Anyway, I decided to take her for a speech assessment at the Union Hospital and I am so glad I did. It cost me HK$1375 to have an assessment. They don't just "test" on pronounciations, they also teast their comprehension and other skills. They spend half an hour going through lots of activites. Eg. they will ask them to describe what they see in the pictures, they will give out instructions such as, "Please place the fork on the plate and the spoon beside the plate"... etc etc etc. It was very thorough and somehow, they were able to get the kids to co-operate with lots of rewards and praises.

At the end of the session, they said that we could try a few sessions with them (they are located at Hunghom), they cost HK$400 each lesson but it means our kids will be able to speak clearer and better.

Why not?

The earlier we correct them the better.

I was told my daughter's level of comprehension is that of a 4 year old and she's only 3 years and 5 months.

I'd rather do this than say, wait it out. They have their methods of teaching proper speech to the kids.

Thanks to you both,

Will talk to my pediatrician as I need to visit her anyway for my daughter's vaccinations. I think his speech level seems more like a three year old but he didn't start talking, long sentences anyway, until he was four. I haven't been worried till now because he has been doing so well at kindgergarten but I guess when he is in primary he might be teased by the other kids for talking babyish so I'd like to do my best to help him. I read to him lots. Any other suggestions?