Our son (4 years) is talking gibberish...?

Question

Hi everyone. My wife and I are parent of a 4 year old boy. I think he has some problems with speech, but I can't seem to understand what it is.

He wakes up at around 9 everyday and it starts with story telling, not just any specific story. He mixes words from TV, music, family conversations. Then he starts making up words as he goes. Everything into one pile and what he says makes no sense at all. Because of that no kids on the block would play with him and friends and relatives don't talk to them, because they think he speaks another language.

I've been thinking of taking him to a linguist or a speech therapist, but my wife doesn't think its a problem and she says that he will get over it.

I'm not sure what to do at this point. Its really bothering me, because as a father I can't even have a normal conversation with my kid. He never normally answers a conversation and just keeps talking gibberish until he goes to bed at night.

Answer 1

You need to have him checked immediately. This sounds a little like ausbergers (sp?) a mild form of autism. It could also be nothing, or something less severe. At any rate, this sounds a little different from 'baby talk' which can persist well into childhood, much like a security blanket. At 4 years old, his communication should be fairly clear and understandable, and should have a vocabulary of a minimum of 500 words. I'd start with his pediatrician, and if he feels no action is needed, I'd get a second opinion. I'd ask for referral to a speech therapist as well. It's very important to catch something like autism early, with proper treatment, the effects of autism can be lessened. Good luck in your search for answers for your son.....be persistient!! You're the child's parent, and usually you should go with your gut instincts. If you think something isn't just right, it probably isn't .

Answer 2

Is he still functioning while speaking that way all the time? Sounds like his babbling is getting him the toys, food, treatment he is looking for. That is only reinforcing the behavior. If he wants cereal for breakfast, make him ask. Let him repeat the question after you. If he babbles, patiently reply, "I am waiting for your big-boy words." Reward him with "thanks for using your big boy words". Remember, when you try to stop a behavior, it immediately increases before decreasing. (think of your remote- if it doesn't work because the batteries are low, you shake it and try again, point it closer and try again. All before you give in and change the batteries!) If he babbles when running around the house, no big deal. My daughter makes up words too.
Since he is four, I would suggest an early-start preschool program. He will get out of his normal environment and be in a small setting with teachers who can help you identify the difference between speech disorders and a "stage". Don't substitute daycare for this, you want a licensed teacher with the resources of a school system. Early start is usually a half- day and focusses on basic skills needed for school. I taught it for one year. It is not just for kids with problems, so don't worry. Hopefully your state has this nationally-sponsored program in place. Good Luck!

Answer 3

You should be able to have a normal conversation with him. Your wife may just be in denial which is what most parents do at first. Is he in preschool right now? Just wondering what the teacher says if he is. I would definitley take him first to a pediatrician and voice your concerns and then they will refer you to a speech therapist. I have a 9 year old son with mild problems. Not in speech, but he has somehting called aspergers syndrome(a type of high functioning autism), so I have had a little experience in being in denial at first and then finally realizing their is a problem. Like one preschool teacher told me, If you think there is a problem, then there probably is. She was talking about a 4 year old who couldnt speak well and the mother kept saying it was a phase and the boy would grow out of it. But if they are still doing that at 4, its not a phase.

Answer 4

That is not normal, and he probably does need a speech therapist. I am a mommy to 3 children ages 6, 4, and 3. My 3 and 4 year olds speak very plainly and have since about age 2. But, there is a child in my 4 year olds class that has a speech problem and I cannot understand him. He is going to speech therapy at school. Is your child in school yet? If not, they will put him in therapy when he does go.
Also, has he had his hearing checked?

Answer 5

Hi! My son is 3 1/2 and really just started talking at 3 years old and the sentences started shortly after. He was stuttuering and I mean bad! I researched for weeks before panicking and sending him to specialists. It would come and go and he would do it more when he was excited, in trouble or nervous. In boys it is so typical for them to have speech problems. It has gone, passed and he speeks fine with the occasional not pronouning this letter and saying twuck instead of truck, I assure you I felt like you did at one point, it is important not to bring it up to your son, never point it out to him, and just always remember their little minds are running 100 miles a minute with thoughts of a drink, a snack, the blues clues song in his head, wanting to go outside all at once. I even read that if a parent talks fast a child will pick up on that so I started slowing down and getting to his eye level on certain occasions. Let's say he has something to tell you and he's running as he wants to say it, stop what you are doing get to eye level tell him to come over and say it again. Don't worry dad, most likely it will pass, i felt the same way.

Answer 6

It sounds like he could have some kind of language processing disorder. I don't know the specific names, but there are disorders in which the brain does not process what is heard correctly. It's something you'd have to ask the Pediatrician about. You may want to consider visiting a Developmental Pediatrician.

You don't need to wait until your son is school-aged to receive speech services through school. Contact your local school district and tell them you want your son to be evaluated for his speech. The evaluation and services are free. An IEP (Individualized Educaton Plan) will be implemented for him if he qualifies for services.

You can contact an SLP (Speech/Language Pathologist) on your own as well to have him evaluated; as well as Easter Seals.

It sounds as if your wife is in denial. I understand where she's coming from. My daughter has Cerebral Palsy, and finding acceptance is difficult; to say the least. But starting intervention early is very important. I nearly cried reading about no one wanting to speak to your son; including relatives! They should be ashamed of themselves (the adults/family members) for treating your son this way. I'm sure that is part of the reason your wife remains in denial. It's terrible to ignore a child b/c they are 'different'. I hope that if/when your son's problem is diagnosed, your family grow up and realize they should not fear the unknown. That's probably why they ignore him. My heart goes out to him. I hope you find answers soon.

If you need support from parents who understand what it's like to have a child that is not 'typical', please join the following support group.

www.specialparent.org

The parents there will definitely understand your situation and will be able to share loads of information with you. GOOD LUCK.

Answer 7

More importantly than having a verbal conversation with your children is the body language. I have a 3 and a 4 year old. I can have normal conversations with them, but they know mostly that I love them through body language. I look at them and smile, or I hug and kiss them, tickle them, play games with them. Your son should not see frustration in your body language when you try to talk to him. Your wife is right. He will get over it. Just be a good father and everything will be okay.



I guess if I had say send him to speach thereabpy I would have gotten a bunch of thumbs up. Oh well, screw whoever is putting thumbs down on everybody.

Answer 8

I would definitely get him to a speech therapist! It sounds like he needs help...I believe you can go for a free consultation, and just see what they have to say. It can't hurt, and it just might help him enough so he can get some friends. Socializing with other kids is extremely important, and the longer you wait to correct this situation, the more difficult it will be to handle later!! Hurry up, they say that the first 5-7 years of a child's development are critical to who they turn out to be as they get older!

Answer 9

At 4 yrs. old, he should be having some type of "understandable" talking right now. He should also be able to answer questions with correct answers. Like "do you want a cookie"....him: "yes, cookie". Or something along those lines.

Does he sing songs, or "talk" along with say......seasame street? Most kids will do that at 4 yrs. old.

I would take him to a speech therapist (look for one that has been doing this for a few years) and have him evaluated. They will be able to tell you what is going on.

Answer 10

Father -
First: You are on-board and noticing... Thay's a good thing!
Second: Your wife is wrong: Gibberish (at age 4) is not just a trivial phase - and you report it is impacting your son's social interactions. His interaction with the rest of society is, perhaps, the most important aspect of his current development.
I'm no expert... just a father of three and an ex-teacher, but I think this is a good point for a parental disagreement. Seek professional advice!