My son is 3 and a half, and has the hardest time speaking...?

Question

He also cannot pay attention to anything, I have gotten his hearing screened, and it is fine, and it is evident that he is smart because he knows his ABC's from front to back, and can write them, he also know 1-20 in numbers and can write them, shapes, matching, etc, etc. But he will not talk in sentences, he says one word things, "juice", "dinner", "Poddy", etc. He also does not learn his lesson EVER.. He plays with our computer CONSTANTLY, and we yell, time out, so on and so forth, but as soon as we let him go, he goes straight back to the computer. I am getting really frustrated, he has an appointment with a group called Child Find coming up that screens for learning disabilities and ADD and things like that, but I really don't think he has any of that due to him knowing so much already.. can anyone help, has anyone gone through this?? I am desperate

Answer 1

have him tested for dylsexia

Answer 2

I am a mother of 2 children aged 2 and 4 1/2. I understand that you want what is best for your child, and that all children grow and learn differently. So what I am saying is not from a judgemental place, I just hope it comes across that way

Firstly, get your child off the computer. My children are allowed 1 hour of television or computer a day...unless they are sick, or you have an off day once in a while. 1 hour that is it and it has always been that way. I haven't made a big issue about it, in fact they had no idea there was a time limit. Lately my eldest has been trying to extend his time on the computer, which I might add he has to earn. So I explained to him that if he has an hour on the computer there is absolutely no tv that day. My children don't know any different.

consistency is the key with children, if you don't want him on the computer remember that you are the parent, and that a 3 1/2 year old doesn't decide when he goes on the computer.

I think this plays a part in his speech problems. Children learn through PLAY, and unless he gets the chance to play he isn't going to develop the fundamentals. Have you actually sat and watched your child play? Seriously, it is the best thing you can do to understand how they learn. I think one of the best things they learn through simple playing (away from tv and computers) is to feel confident about the world around them. This confidence leads to self confidence, and without that he can have all the academic knowledge in the world but it means nothing if he doesn't have confidence in himself.

At 3 1/2 having lessons seems so harsh, and in my opinion, would only add to confidence issues. Because he is getting lessons he may feel like what he is doing isn't good enough.

I don't think it is you that is desperate, I think it is your son because he wants desperately to be allowed to be a child...don't make him grow up too fast, because one day you will realise what you both missed out on.

stop getting the tests, stop the lessons and enjoy this time with him. that is my advice

Answer 3

Okay I need more information here. Are there other children in the house? Why would that be important because the older children have a why of helping the younger ones speak. Why bother speaking when everyone understand you or finishes the words for you.
I know with my two older children when they were younger my son would speak for my daughter. I had to tell him that she had to do the speaking. If he told me what she wanted I wouldn't give it to her until she said it. Mind you I would know what she wanted because of him. I would say the word. Make her look at me and see the way my lips moved. Told her flat out if you want it you need to say what it is. She fuzzed the first couple of time. But after then she knew she had to do the speaking.
As far as the computer if it's anything like my household there is someone usually on it. Its my two year old favorite too. Children mimic people around them so if the PC is often used they want their turn at the big chair too. He is curious might want to know how to make things work. Enjoy the clicking sounds.
Kids love attention instead of shooing him away from the PC tell him to come over and play a game rather it be build blocks or look at picture books. It's time consuming when your exhausted. But it will get his mind off the PC. Hopefully with the picture book it will increase his vocabulary, I know it has helped my son his speech.

Answer 4

I heard there is quite alot of variation when kids learn how to speak and some eistein included can talk as late as 5!!!

I'd recommend patience. Love and patience is probably more important than anything. Also kids perceive more than we think. He might sense your impatience and its not likely going to help him learn.

As for ADD? I have it. Its not a big deal, at least it does not have to be. It might mean he'll be a slob by nature and that he's really creative. You can try channeling his energy at times into sports and spending time with him doing something like drawing. You can still get a pretty lucrative career with it, you just have a few struggles. There are strategies for dealing with it but at age 3, I would not worry about it.

With respect to the computer? Limit the time he spends on it and turn it off in some way. Unplug. Turn off fuse or put a password.

Answer 5

Hun my eldest is 26mths (2yrs 2mths) and she does all those things.. i work in childcare centre and every child develops at a different rate, most go thru the naughty stage, others dont... some go thru the shy stage and then u get the ones who are happy with just not talking too much yet!!
If u r worried maybe get him tested for Autisim (SP?) or maybe Dyslexia...
It could also be nothing hun, just take each day one at a time and he will be just fine..
Just think in a few yrs he wont shut up and u will be like "Son im gonna have to gag ya" lol!!! jks!!

Chin up
Good luck

Answer 6

ugh im going through this with my 3 year old EXACTLY!!! MY THREE OLD ERCHILDREN WERE VERY verbal and very intelligent by the age of three. my daughter is not dumb by any means she can do the same as your child but she likes one word sentences What i learned to do is when she would ask for a treat she would just say adn I quote,"UGH, UGH, treat, treat!" so I would get a treat for her andmake her say it in a sentence, like Say, Please may i have a treat. THey obviously are not going to be able to handle that mouthful but it matters that they try. and is good for the manners. try it i know it worked well for me she is finally talking in sentences

Answer 7

The only thing "wrong" with him is that he is three years old...he is being a "normal" three year old...you're just reacting negatively to him doing so.