Speech Therapy?

Question

My daughter is 4 and will not be starting Kindergarten until Sept of '07. I have been homeschooling her a preschool curriculum to get her up to speed with other kids her age.

My main problem is that she can't pronounce her "R's".
Ex: Car = Caw, Run= Wun, River= Wival

I think its adorable, especially when she tells me an entire story with her "accent".

I have always figured that she will outgrow it, and once she begins school, they will correct it.

Recently, several people have told me that she needs therapy. I have been told that I should correct her when she says things incorrectly- but if I do that, she gets irritated and says "I did say caw (car). You dont heaw(hear) me wight (right)."

Should I correct it now, or should I wait until she starts school? She is my last baby :( so I am in no rush for her to grow up and I think its sooo cute.

Any advice?

Answer 1

I disagree with "do nothing." It may be cute NOW, but it will not be cute when her peers start to humiliate her and make fun of her, and you can be sure they will.

I would take her to a speech therapist and have her evaluated. It may just be a childhood thing she will, in fact, grow out of. However, the professional assessment may uncover something that requires therapy. In either case, your mind will be put at ease.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Well here is a plus for you. Instead of waiting until "07" you can get her into therapy. My son went through it and you know what it's just like school. The teachers are experts on speech therapy that's all. So I say go for it. This way she is in a class with other students with the same problem. If she goes off to school without the help the children may tease her.

Answer 3

My son had/has the same "accent" as your daughter. He is 8 and he goes to speech therapy 3 times a week for about 45 minutes when in school. When we have conferences with his speech teacher she tells us not to push the issue of always trying to correct him, because that just makes him put up a wall and not want to work with her, but to work on what they are currently working on in therapy. There are games that you can play with your daughter to help her form her words correctly, that is what we do, what ever the curriculum is for that week that is what we "play", he enjoys it because he can show me what he's been working on and how well he is doing. The first thing I would suggest would be talking to your pediatrician about it when you next see him, a lot of speech problems are due to hearing impairments and it would be best to rule that out right away, other wish picking up a few books on how to work with your daughter to improve her speech would be helpful. Good luck!

Answer 4

I have an 8 year old boy who is still in speech I know that this is your baby BUT kids now make fun of the one who don't speak right my little boy has been in speech sense he started school and i do help him and he gets upset with me to when i correct him (at this age he thinks he is right) my advice to you is help her she will soon understand that that's all you are trying to do my son used to come home from school crying because he had a hard time speaking and his class mates would make fun of him (some kids are so cruel) we have a wonderful speech teacher and they keep you up to date at what your child is doing i know that it is cute my soon would ask to watch chartoons (cartoons) that was my favorite sometimes he will say it for me that way just so i would smile good luck and god bless

Answer 5

Hi

I would have it looked into. I am a preschool teacher...I am not sure where you are from..but most public schools have free screenings for children that are either in preschool or preschool aged children.

Once she is evaluated..she can go to a preschool part time..or you can pay someone to come into your home to help you teach your child and have your child practice saying sounds.

I was home schooled as well as montesorri (2x a week)..but I also saw a speech pathologist outside of school. I met with her 2x a week. It was a private pathologist who came to the house..while I was being home schooled...I am so happy that my mom made that decision...But I was first screened at a free service (pre K..for neighborhood children). My mom listened to what they had to say.

You can also bring your child to their doctor and ask his opion...or bring them to a children's hospital to have them screened. These are some of the places I refer my students to, if they miss the free screeing. Most insurance covers it.

Good luck..

Remember your the parent...ask different professionals for their opion.

Please do not mimick your child when she/he says something wrong or inappropriate..but instead repeat it correctly!

Good Luck!

Answer 6

R is a later development sound....don't worry about it.....when she starts school mention it to her teacher and she will set her up w/ a speach therapist for testing (which is cool, because all they do in play games). Then the therapist will let you know if she needs it or not.

Answer 7

You can always contact someone at your local school system and tell them about your concerns. I'd suggest getting her hearing tested. It is interesting that she says you don't hear her right. Maybe she isn't hearing things correctly.

Answer 8

don´t worry let her go to kindergarden and watch her skills. you can do a therapy later if nothing changes but maybe she´ll learn it when she´s talkin to her friends daily

Answer 9

you can work with her and you can do it at a leisurely pace . my son and grand daughter both have accents as you call them i worked with both at their own pace.. enjoy her

Answer 10

don't do anything....screw what other people think...she'll grow out of it when she starts to read and write