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From: Richard
Date: 18 Oct 2012
Time: 05:14:23 -0500
Remote Name: 89.243.100.161
Hi Carmen, Can I first say that 3 1/2 is very young. A child only know his is doing wrong if he's told he's doing wrong. I remember my eldest telling me he couldn't say a particular word. I remember telling his simply "you will it's only because your rushing". We would repeat a word and soon after he would start repeating them on his own. I don't think a SLP should be trying to change the way he speaks at such a young age. It maybe an idea to tell anyone he may regularly come into contact not to mention the fact he maybe having a little difficulty. Another thing we as parents did was to speak a little slower when talking directly to our kids. Can you tell me is he repeating words such as Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad and I I I I I, Can Can Can if he is that is completely normal. If his getting stuck on the first letter such as FFFFFFFour DDDDDDad, CCCCCCan that is not a block, that's when I would simply say the word again. Not telling him he is doing anything wrong, after all he is not getting stuck on a word and he is saying it. A block is when no matter what you try the word wont come out and your trying to put more effort into speaking. That happens when someone tells you somethings wrong. Even if that has happened, just carry on as if nothing has happened and carry on just repeating the word in a calm manner. We were prepared to take our sons out of school at the age of 5 if things got any worse, I didn't want any extra pressure put on my sons, but that wasn't necessary in the end. I'm no expert and haven't being taught in therapy, so Can only tell you as a PWS what we did. I remember from my own childhood the negative reactions to my speech and how quickly following that I began to start thinking I was different to others. The extra effort needed to force a word that seems stuck becomes a habit, but that's all it is, a habit. It's only when shame, guilt, anger and fear start is when it becomes a problem. I truly believe that's quite a long way off, so please don't worry. What it sounds like he is doing is absolutely normal and no need for a SLP getting involed trying to change anything when there's nothing to change. Best wishes Richard