Should I be worried that my 3yr old is having speech problems or is this quite common?

Answer 1

Is your child Hard of Hearing? I'm deaf in one ear and didn't learn to talk fluently untill I was 7. Don't fret about it yet. Keep a close eye on him and continue working with him on his speech. Just in case, you may want a hearing test done being this usually is the problem with some kids who don't have good speech.

Of course, this only applies if your toddler mumbles words. I don't know about any other speech impairments. I wish for the best for you and your kid!

If you do get a speech therapist, make sure they are GOOD therapists! They need to have a good reputation and be extremely patient with kids. I had one, and she was horrible!! She had no patience with me and didn't try to understand my frustration with my speech! Most of my therapists have been like this. I'm sorry, they sucked! I do believe there are some really good therapists out there though.

Answer 2

It depends on the problems. I have a daughter that did not talk at all when she was 2. She is now 3 1/2 and is almost caught up to where she should be. If you are worried about specific sounds, I have learned from my daughter's speech therapist that a lot of sounds do not come in until they are older. Some kids get them early(I would say a lot) My daughter does not work on sounds yet in speech because some of the sounds are simply not expected to be there yet. If you are worried I would try looking up a chart on the internet with the age that certain sounds come in. There are different ones, so you will have to look and use your own judgement. If it is something other than sounds, I would talk with your pediatrician and have your child tested. The earlier they work on it they better. Good luck and I hope this helped. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Answer 3

Because of your concern might I suggest you speak openly to your pediatrician about this. He can refer your child for age appropriate testing and therapy.

My Grandson also has a speech problem and has been taking therapy since he was about 2 1/2. People are surprised at the progress, he's now 5.

His problem is because the jaw and tongue muscles did not properly mature.

There is only so much therapy can do and at some point after the periodic testing they will no longer be able to help him because he meets a certain goal. That's when if you feel further therapy is needed you hire a private therapist instead of just what the insurance will pay for.

Speech problems are becoming more prominent in today's world, I do not understand everything about it, just think that from seeing all the children that are having therapy.

Answer 4

It really depends on what the problems are. Ask your doctor if your child's speech is normal. In my state at age 3 kids can go to speech therapy at the public schools. They have to be tested and qualify as having a speech development problem. You might call your local school. Your question isn't very specific though. At age 3 your child should at least be using 3 word sentences and other people besides you should be able to understand what they are saying most of the time. It isn't unusual for kids that age to mispronounce certain sounds though.

Answer 5

My almost 3 year old isn't really talking either, and reading the answers already posted, I'm less worried myself. Thanks for asking this question. My son will be 3 in May and says only a few words. He understands everything I say, but he just doesn't have anything to say. What he DOES say is clear as a bell, though. Of course, my in laws are going around telling everyone he's autistic and I'm horrible for not doing anything about it. I talked to my pediatrician about it when we were there in December for check ups and he isn't concerned at this time, for these reasons...1)he's a boy and boys often take longer to pick up speech. 2) he's the youngest of 3 and may not be given as many opportunities to speak. 3) I'm guilty of just giving him what he wants and not making him talk, but I am soooo working on that. I recently ordered a video called Baby Babble off Amazon, and my son has watched it several times and I'm already seeing a difference in him. Good luck!

Answer 6

Check with your family doctor and your local school district. If there are speech concerns, you may be eligible for services through an Early Childhood program. Early Childhood may have speech services/screening available, and services should be at no cost. Speech concerns are best tackled as early as possible, to give a child every advantage once starting school. It is not uncommon to experience speech difficulties, especially if there are been ear problems such as multiple infections. The correction process is also easier when you start at a young age. You are right to pursue this if you are at all concerned. Best of luck!

Answer 7

it is very common my most kids do at that age a lot of times they grow out of it,if not the school will put him in a speech class I have 1 of 3 in speech it's no biggie. My daughter actually love's going to speech.

Answer 8

I went to my doctor she refer me to a program that the school has . They test them to see the severity of there speech . My daughter is stubborn she talks when she wants.. She will turn 4 in aug. She score at a level of a 2.5 year old as to speech as for comprehension she scored at a level of a 4.3 year old. So she understands and is smart but wants to talk at her own level. So have patience read to them and try to have one 2 one time with them and talk to them as u an older child. This seems to be working for me. Also since she starting pre-school she has open up a lot. Try pre-school or a place she can be around kids her age.

Answer 9

It's pretty common. My daughter developed a stutter that we though would never end, but it did. She also had a heavy lisp and couldn't say her "L"s either. Don't worry, but if you want reassurance, or if it gets worse instead of better, talk to the pediatrician. The main thing is to not point it out to the child or mock him/her. If there is a stutter- never finish their sentences or rush them along. It will make it worse. Good luck!

Answer 10

Yes speech problems are common and most will be outgrown by 7 yrs. Here are some of the most common things 3 yr olds struggle with:
w for r (wabbit instead of rabbit)
d for th (dis instead of this and dat instead of that)
t for k (tate instead of cake)
f for t (fired instead of tired – we always had fun when out son was pointing out all the "trucks" he saw :-) )
th for s (thithter instead of sister)
multi-syllable words – spaghetti comes out pasghetti
not using the right tense or plural – like mouses instead of mice and gived instead of gave

Check out these sites, they let you know what is common and when you should look for additional help:
Speech problems 3-4yrs
http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/refcap/preschooler/pdevelopment/65591.html
How to tell when your preschooler needs extra help with speaking
http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/refcap/preschooler/plearning/65595.html