Is this child smart?What could be causing speech problems?

Question

Child is 3 ..can read write, and recite alphabet and numbers1-10.Can draw square,triangle,rectangle and circle...Speech is lagging(she can repeat EVERYTHING,but has trouble speeking on her own..)....child learns FAST.....What could be reason for speech problem??

I've heard of echolalia...she doesn't have that.

She is potty trained(doesn't wet the bed).....She also dresses herself(underwear,socks and shoes included).

Answer 1

the fact that she is 3 could be her problem. Let up on her and let her enjoy her toddler years

Answer 2

I would have her checked out by a developmental peditrician. They will be able to guide you in the right direction.

However, my child id 3 and can do all those things as well. He was diagnosed w/ Autism, but it seems that it might be something simpler....just a language barrier. He attends special ed classes at the local public school (pre-k for children w/ special needs) and he's been flourishing. I would take her to the docs first, then get set up to go to your local school system. They will do all the testing and determine if she needs special classes. I know that it could be hearbreaking to think that something is "wrong" w/ my child, but in the end it's going to help her become a more productive adult.

I wish you all the luck. BTW, is she potty trained?

Answer 3

That just means that she learns speech by repeating what is said until she understands it and can use the words on her own spontaneously. That would explain how she knows as much as she knows at the age of 3...my son is the same way. He is quite intelligent but has speech comprehension delay and social delay due to only being home with me for the fist 2 1/2 years. My son has also been diagnosed with Sensory Integration Dysfunction that the therapists believe is contributing to his speech delay. Read up on it and see if your daughter has any signs of it. Take care and best wishes to your family.

Answer 4

Have you child assessed by a speech-language therapist in your local school district.
Sounds like she has good receptive speech, she understands what you are teaching her, but is having difficulty with expressive language. There are two issues here, does she understand and know language and she just doesn't use her words independently? Or, does she speak and you don't understand her (her articulation is unclear, she makes her speech sounds differently than other children). If it is her articulation, she might have a physical component affecting her speech (tongue-tied, etc).
If it is a language component, she may not have the vocabulary to express herself (Specific Language Impairment, where the child is bright in all other areas of learning, but has a noticeable difficulty with her language).
Asperger's could be a possibility, which is a high-functioning form of autism. She has great cognitive abilities, but has difficulties in language formulation and in social situations.
Anyway, just some thoughts, the child would have to be evaluated by specialists to know for sure. She is just 3, but her language development does not sound normal.

Answer 5

how much is she repeating? repeating can be a sign of autism. does she have any repetitive behavior? my brother in law is 6 and is autistic/mentally retarded. he can also repeat everything and even sings to every song that comes on the radio, but also has trouble speaking on his own. he cant do all the things she can, but the speaking is sounding like she might be autistic. you may want her to go see a special dr for that b/c with the right treatments/ theropies, autism can be gone by school time. Good luck and God Bless!

Answer 6

It sounds like she's pretty advanced for her age. Wow. But possibly when she's speaking on her own her mind is moving faster than her mouth?

Answer 7

Well I can't say whether or not she is gifted but gifted children do have issues where certain abilities come to them sooo easily, but others are slower.

Answer 8

I recently had a friend whom had their 2 year son's tongue Lifted, it was too tight to form proper speech.
Best wishes.

Answer 9

You might want to have her hearing checked... Could even be an allergy issue... talk to the pediatrician.

Answer 10

Possible autism