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My 4 yr old step daughter has very bad speach problems. She was abandoned by her mother whaen she was 2, and we fought for custody of her. When we got her, all she could say was "mommy". She's improved greatly, but she still has the inability to make some letter sounds. And her vocabulary has improved, also, but it's still very behind. Her and my 2 1/2 yr old daughter have the same vocabulary, pretty much.I worry about her because she will start school next year and I don't want her to be held back. She can't make "c"sounds, or "g" sounds, or "l" sounds. Cat sounds like "Tat", Gun sounds like "Dun", and Love sounds like "Wuv". How in the world can you "teach someone to make certain "sounds", when you can't really show them how to form your mouth to make these sounds? I don't know how speach therapists do it, and we can't afford one. Any ideas?

2007-02-23 02:27:56 · 14 answers · asked by Lindsey H 5 in Education & Reference Preschool

She has improved greatly because I try to work with her. When we got her at 2 1/2, her sentances sounded like " Badee bodeee booboo dayyee" and we had no idea what she was saying. She can say complete sentances, but to people outside our family it is still very difficult to understand her. I read to her every night, and if she asks something, like "can I play on the computer?" Which computer comes out like "PooWoo". I tell her" you can if you can say "Com-Pu-Ter" and she'll say it, but it still sounds like" Tum-Poo- Daa" which is better, but I still worry about her teachers being able to understand her.

2007-02-23 02:40:40 · update #1

14 answers

You should definitely follow other peoples suggestions, as there should be free avenues to follow to get assistance for your step daughther.

In the mean time, there is a sequence you can try to follow at home to help her. Of the 3 sounds you said she could not make properly, you need to pick one only to start with. I would recommend 'c' first ('l' is a sound that children are supposed to be able to say once they are 4, where as 'c' and 'g' are 3 year old sounds.)

The first step is to just get her saying c c c on its own. (Think about where you put your tongue when you make this sound - the middle of the tongue goes to the roof of the mouth, whereas she is placing the tip of her tongue at the roof of her mouth behind her front teeth.)

The next step is to get her to say nonsense words with a 'c' sound: cu ca ce etc... make it fun and simple.

The next step is to get her to say single words that start with 'c'. Make up little games, eg. find pictures in magazines such as cat, cot, key etc. Or make up lotto games with all things starting with 'c' words that will encourage her to say these words, but she is still doing it in a fun way.

The next stage is to then get her to say 2 word sentences. ie cat runs, kangaroo jumps, key turns

You can then start building on longer sentences from there.

It is important that you take it slow, and only move onto the next stage once she has mastered each stage. And more importantly to make it fun, so she does not get stressed out. Set aside, half an hour each day to play these games. Once she has mastered the 'c' sound, then start with the 'g' sound, using the same methods, then the 'l' sound.

One thing you will need is patience, as it takes time, but its very important to only do one letter at a time. Use lots of positive reinforcement!!!

I hope this will help you at home, whilst you are looking into options for free assistance, as she should definitely receive professional speech therapy if at all possible, but you can also help to make a difference. If you would like any further ideas, please feel free to contact me at ky_7328@yahoo.com.au and I can go into more detail, give more game ideas etc.

Best of luck!

2007-02-23 07:23:12 · answer #1 · answered by spinksy2 3 · 0 0

Your stepdaughter's problems are consistent with language delay. If her vocabulary is the same as your 2 1/2 year-old's, she is more than one year delayed. Her speech sounds are delayed by only about six months (based on her "language age" of 2 1/2, her speech sound development is basically within normal limits).
Please don't try to correct this on your own; you are a parent, not a speech pathologist.
US public schools are required by federal law (PL 94-142) to provide a "free, appropriate public education", which includes speech therapy. Contact your local school district office and ask for an evaluation ASAP. Once the evaluation is done, she should qualify for Head Start and speech therapy.

2007-02-24 12:01:55 · answer #2 · answered by ? 6 · 0 0

If she is in preschool you can ask that she be evaluated for speech problems.If she isn't enrolled yet you can still have her evaluated just make sure the school is in your district.If you get no reply from the school with in 10 days you need to fill out another form.If you don't hear from them again in 10 days then you will need to contact your
state board of education..just don't tell the school let the state take care of it.You are a tax payer....this service is free.The state will make sure your daughter gets the help she needs.Don't take no for as answer there is help available but you need to educate yourself on your rights and the rights of your children.It took me 3 years to get speech therapy for my son.I was told that my son was on a waiting list,he need to be bilingual....all lies. If your school has more the 40% of it's students receiving free lunch you are a NCLB Title 1 school.This means that if they don't help you get the help your child needs then they will need to give back the additional money (title 1 funds)it receives to educate children.If you need more info you can contact the us dept of education.Don't worry about you other daughter she might be mimicking your other daughter because you might give her additional attention when she struggles when she speaks.Good luck

2007-02-23 03:14:16 · answer #3 · answered by Zim 4 · 0 0

I would get in touch with the elementary school and get the name of the Speech Therapist. Get her voice mail and e-mail address and send her the above question. Public schools test children for free for learning problems and if your daughter qualifies under Article 7, yes, your step daughter could receive services for free. You will need to fill out a packet of information to get things started. Your step daughter's doctor could assist you if needed in filling out the packet. There are some medicial questions. Did you get a script from the doctor stating that Speech Therapy was needed? Ask the doctor for the script and you keep the original and make a copy for the Speech Therapist.
Ask the school speech therapist if this is offered in the summer at the elementary school. Ask the speech therapist whats available for free for your daughter. Get in touch with Special Services--get the information from your childs elementary school
or call the Administration Building and ask to speak to the Director of Special Services. Start today! Please keep me informed.

2007-02-23 02:49:08 · answer #4 · answered by AZoceanside 2 · 0 0

My daughter went to speech therapy while she became 3 (she's now 8) she had a delicate speech project She additionally observed an occupational therapist, i wasn't worried approximately this in any respect, she additionally observed a physio therapist. all of it worked in mutually and now she is doing splendidly. My son has been clinically determined with extreme speech and language postpone sickness and has had no the place close to the quantity of care my daughter has, he's now six and repeating preschool and way at the back of all his friends. while you're being provided help, take it, i might like for my boy to be sure an occupational therapist,

2016-09-29 12:37:07 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

I would take her to her pediatrician to explain her concerns. He can make referrals to a speech language pathologist. If you don't have insurance, or it won't cover it, contact your local school district's special education department. In New York, where I live, we are obligated to provide preschool special education services, which speech therapy would fall under. Explain your concerns and ask for an evaluation. If she is starting kindergarten in the fall, these services will continue while she is in school. Hope this helps!

2007-02-23 02:40:17 · answer #6 · answered by cat95_97 1 · 1 0

You should check with your state to see if they offer any medical assistance, or if you have it, most insurance plans will cover the cost. If not speech therapy is available through most public schools. My daughter had exactly the same problem and one year of speech therapy, once a week really helped her. Her speech is perfect now.

Good luck!

2007-02-23 02:33:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

You step-daughter needs a speech therapist. They are trained in how to help people/children with speech problems. Ask your child's pediatrician on your next visit. You don't want your step-daughter to be left behind when she comes of school age and as much as you want to help her you may not have all the skills/knowledge available to you that a speech therapist would have.

2007-02-23 02:35:00 · answer #8 · answered by Betsy Jayne 3 · 1 1

My son had speach problems as well. He went to a government funded preschool. Tell the preschool she needs speach therapy. In my state they send out speach therapist to the preschool once a week. When school is started they have speach therapists that come out for numerous children. It is state funded.

2007-02-23 02:31:21 · answer #9 · answered by Miriah 3 · 1 0

Once she starts school, she will be fine. I know of two kids who were age 5 and 6 who had serious pronunciations with words and they are now both in 1st grade and 2nd grade and not a trace of the previously existing problems. Their vocabulary is smooth. Also, you could suggest to put her in special reading class to improve her language skill.

2007-02-23 02:38:32 · answer #10 · answered by Pinolera 6 · 0 2

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