Could My 23 Month Old Be Demonstrating Speech Problems?

Hi T.,
My son is now 26 months and I made the decision to get him into speech therapy after his 24 month well-visit with his pediatrician. I had been toying with the idea for months. His speech is also very garbled, and although I seem to know quite a bit of what he is saying...no one else does usually. I think that you should always lean on the side of caution. Take him to the pediatrician and they will be able to advise you whether or not he may have a speech problem. His speech therapy visits are just beginning so it's way too soon to see how they will help, but I'm glad that I started the process. They were able to tell me on my initial visit that he definitely has some sort of speech delay. Now, we just have to find out what kind of delay and how to help him. I wish you well with it...and trust me, you will feel so much better once you know one way or another.

My son is three years old and I thought the same thing. We tought him sign language like more, eat, drink and so on. This helped due to having several ear infections and according to the doctor could not hear us clearly. I always compared him to a friend's son who was three months older and talking in sentences. Eventually he got tubes and one year later he won't shut up and I can understand him fully. Even my parents can talk to him on the phone and understand him. Keep working with him and he will get it. If he wants something try to get him to say it correctly. My son says "crack" for crackers still, but at least is trying. Good Luck.

At that age, that kind of speech is very normal. Just keep repeating the correct way of words to him, and eventually he'll catch on.

My son was the same way. I was the only one who could understand him at all. Even my husband could not. I was concerned so I asked my doctor and he told me that he should grow out of it. WELL, HE DID NOT. It got worse. At 4 1/2, I had his speech tested. He did not score well at all. He is now in Headstart and getting speech therapy 2 time a week. Just since September, I have seen a dramatic improvement. He even tries to pronounce his words. He didn't do that before. My 14 month old talks and his speech is different than my now 5 year old. Use your judgement. You can talk to your doctor and see what they suggest. I am a firm believer that early is better because bad habits form. Good Luck. LOL

I saw this same problem when I was a teacher and at most likely is what you've isolated--that his speech hs been deformed by talking with a pacifier in his mouth. The 4yr old child I taught made all back of the mouth sounds (G, K, etc--the harder sounds), but not front of the mouth sounds (T, B, M, etc--the easier sounds). None of her teachers could figure it out, so we asked a speech therapist, who told us that she almost definetely learned to talk with a pacificer in her mouth, which would inhibit the front tongue movement, but allow some back of the tongue movement. Some children still have a lot of trouble with pronounciation at almost-2yrs, but it sounds like he may have a problem which was caused by the pacifier. If that's the case, a speech therapist can help! I would at least seek out one for a consultation because they will let you know if it's an age thing he should outgrow or if he needs some work to get the pacifier issue resolved. And working with a speech therapist works wonders for many kids! They use mirrors to show the kids where to put their tongues make the sounds and other wonderful techniques. Getting a consultation can't hurt!

I would take him to the doctors to get an evaluation done. My son had trouble pronouncing the m in mom. They had to work on his lip muscles. That really seemed to help. What they did was had me pratice putting his lips together and blowing bubbles. When your childs muscles are not worked they sometimes need more practice in order for you to understand what they are saying. It is never too early to take him to the doctors. I would make an appointment and go from there. If he does need therapy the therapist can help you work with him to get him to talk where he is understood. Every child is different not all children are the same.

I'm not sure where you live, but there are free programs thru the public schools that can test him (including hearing) and let you know if what you are concerned about is developmental or if he has a delay. In Indiana, it is a program called First Steps that will provide speech therapy for him until the age of 3, at that time he would go into the public school system and receive help thru thier speech pathologists. Both of my sons have speech delays as well as the tricky lateral lisp. My oldest started speech when he was 3 at his preschool and "graduated" before he started kingergarten this year. My youngest is 3 and we go once a week for a half hour session at a local school. These programs evaluate periodically and keep you up to date on your child's progress. Make some calls in your area, it's easiest to start with your local school systems admistration building- ask for the person in charge of the speech pathology/audiology deptartment. They can point you in the right direction. Also if you have a university in your area, thier speech departments also also these services as training for college students. Good luck!

T.,

Has your son had a lot of ear infections?? If so I would take him back to the doctor. My oldest daughter had ear infections for the first 2 1/2 years of her life. I could understand everything she was saying because I was always around her. Everyone else had not a clue what she was saying. Finally we had to see an ENT and he asked me if I wanted her to have tubes or be on a strong antibiotic (sp) for a full month 2 or 3 times a day. With her being my first child I was terrified of the "tubes". I told them lets try the medicine. With the medicine (and lots of prayer) it worked!! She did not have to go back and have tubes put in.

My daughters speech was always the sound of the last sylabol in a word. The doctor told me it was like she has been under water so this is how she learned to talk.

I had to have her in a special pre-school with speech therapist, and other teachers to help her with things.

My child is still considered to be a "special needs child" but she is doing well!!! she is 8 now and she still has problems reading a book or directions on her homework. Her speech is wonderful!!!

So I guess what I am trying to say is go ahead and get your sons ears check out..... or anything else..... I have learned through my daughters experience that if speech is a problem they might have a few other issues they will have to try to get past later down the road. (issues that me and you would not think of them being hard.)

Good Luck and I hope that everything will be okay with your sons speech!! Keep up informed of how things go!

I'm not an expert, but I'd have his hearing checked. If that comes out alright, I'd look into speech therapy.

I doubt it, I have a 22 month son who talks alot, but I can't understand anything except 5 words! So your guy is doing better then mine! I to have an older son who speaks well. Every kid grows at their own speed. Most doctors will say yes to speech therapy, but I think it will just cause frustration to the child and parent. Besides most insurance won't cover speech therapy until around age 6. Just give him time to mature. We did and still teach signing, which has really improved communication and encouraged him to say the words to. Hope this helps!

You may want to consider having his hearing tested. He may be repeating talk as he 'hears' it. Our son was the same, and just after he was two they put tubes in his ears (very common and out patient procedure) and removed his adenoids. After this we did take him to speech therapy for less than a year and it helped quite a bit. But I would definately have his hearing tested. My son seemed to hear well, and never had a single ear infection so when they told us his hearing was poor, we were totally shocked. Thanks

I am going through this with my son. He is 21 months will be 22 months. We, I have started to limit his paci use to bed and nap time and it seems to be helping. I have been doing that for a month or so now. But my daughter was light years ahead of him. He has had 4 massive ear infections since October and we are wondering if that has affected his speech. But I will say we were out yesterday with some friends of ours who said they were starting to understand him very well. The first seems to set the bar for the younger ones. But through this I have learned that each child developes at their own pace. IT sounds like he is doing okay if he is making the attempt to make the sounds and can respond to you. The peditrician told me that if he can do that then they don't see a need for speech right now. Plus they wait until they are close to three to do anything about it. So all I can say is keep working with him and he will come around. If your older son is in preschool take the time that your younger son has with you and work with him. I think that is also what might help is the one on one time with you.

I have 24 month old twins - and it sounds like your son is on the right track. It seems like their vocabulary improves daily and they are constantly saying more and more. The girls use their paci ("mimi") too, however when they try to talk with it in their mounths we ask them to take it out so we understand them, and for the most part, they take it right out and continue talking. The fact that your son knows the numbers and can count to 10 is a huge acheivement for his age, and I don't think most 23 month olds could do that.

You might have his hearing checked. Many times a hard of hearing child will first be diagnosed by his speech. He could have something that could be corrected, or something that you'll have to live with. But, either way, it doesn't hurt to start early. Even if he's just a late developer, sometimes a speech therapist can tell you what kind of activities will help him.

Best to you!

T.,
I am a licensed intervention specialist. Yes, he could be demonstrating speech difficulties. However, do not worry about it. By the time he is 3 years old, if he still demonstrates these difficulties, take him in for an evaluation. If he does turn out to have speech difficulties at 3 or so, then check out the federal legislation, IDEA. It provides for free SLP for preschoolers (if you want to deal with public employees, like a local school district). Until then, do not worry and enjoy him.
E.

Unfortunately I would take the paci away completely. Two years old is the perfect time to do so (my ped told us this). I have a daughter that would talk with her's in and she spoke clearly while having it in her mouth. That was my clue to take it away. The first few days were trying but she eventually forgot about the paci. If the speech issue continues I would speak to your ped in regards your concern. He or she may be able to recommend a speech therapist that can help you son.

Have you had his ears check recently? Maybe he isnt hearing the words correctly. Also, there are computer games that you could get that will help teach him, at his age level, that would also give some mom son time. I would say the paci may have something to do with it. Try substituting the paci with soemthing else, a blanket, something he can have as security but wont necessarily go into his mouth. My daughter had under developed drainage tubes in her ears, this caused her to not hear us plainly, also knocked her off balance when she walked.

If you contact the Help Me Grow office they can assist you with a quick evaluation and let you know if further testing is needed.

I am a mom to 2 children that have received speech services since they were about 2 1/2. My son was not speaking at all and my daughter was speaking very unclear. My son is almost 8 now and just graduated from speech....YEAH!!! My daughter in not currently in speech but will most likely be revisiting it in 1st grade for some sounds that have still not developed that are now becoming age appropriate.

My best advice to you is go with your gut feeling. I waited at first to get help on the advice of the pediatrician. The doc kept saying my son would start talking when he was ready. At 2 1/2 we finally had him tested and he was severely delayed compared to his peers. It did effect his interactions with other children for some time to come and effected his self confidence too. He has now grown into a WONDERFUL little boy who is smart, socially acceptable and has lots of friends! It is totally free to have your child tested and does not hurt a bit. The result is either no need to worry at this time or yeah the child could use some assistance at this time. Speech is actually fun for most kids if the child ends up needing therapy. There is a program here in IN called First Steps that could test your child for free. Services are free for some and a very small copay for others that do not qualify for free services. I actually went through First Steps in KY but I am almost positive they have it in IN too. You could ask your pediatrician for info on how to contact them. I LOVED them, They were a Godsend for my children and I. They only provide services until age 3 then they are tested in the school system and receive servies through there.

I wish you lots of luck and hope I was able to help ease your mind and offer some helpful info!

Hi T.,

My grandson has the same issues. He turned 2 on 11-5-05. I was told by a day care worker he needed speech therapy. I mentioned it to his pediatrician and she didn't seem overly concerned. Boys do have a tendency to do things slower than girls, and siblings can be as different as night and day. I just talk to him like he's a big boy and annunciate.(he doesn't use a pacifier) Have him repeat things. It's amazing how much more he's talking now than he was in November. Each child is different and you will always have someone suggesting therapy. I'm not trying to downplay therapy, it is very useful. I just know what I have experienced with my grandson (he does live with me.)Sometimes he jabbers non-stop and in between you can understand things perfectly. He has been talking alot more in just the past 2 months. The other day he counted to 13 and was half way through before I realized what he was doing. Hang in there mom. Have his ears checked out. My grandson had to have tubes put in and this too can contribute.

S.

My son demonstrated the same speech problems as what you described. We called him dutch. We had him evaluated with a local Help Me Grow program. It is does not cost a thing, it is a resource available to help kids get on track to where they should be developmentally. We started a program called Early Intervention with my son when he was a little past two years old to work on his speech. This was recommended from Help Me Grow. He is now 4 1/2 and speaks fine. I highly recomend checking into some services, I don't know where we would be without it! The help is wonderful!

It may be speech but I would have his hearing checked 1st my son, now 30, had a problem with his annunciations when he was talking at that age, took him to a speech therapist and found out it was not true speech problems because of blockage in ear. Once he had tubes put in (he ended having to have two sets in before he was 5) and it thinned out the membrane that helps kids hear speech patterns his talking became very clear. We had no problem understanding him. Though once he became a teenager he contracted the slective hearing syndrome, a very common malady with teenagers! I'd also ditch the pacifer ASAP it henders not only speech patterns but teeth development.

My son just turned 2 and he is very hard to understand on most things. I also does not talk as clearly as my older daughter did at this age. My children were also tounge tied and had that clipped--check that to see if that is causing the problem. It never hurts to have hime checked. Ask your doctor or see if there is a program in your area that does this for free like a Help Me Grow Program. Don't be surprised if you are told he does not have a speech problem now, but then in a year or two, he does. Speech is so developmental and kids develop their speech at different times, so it is hard to say a child qualifies for speech services at the young age. I am speaking from expereinces I have had in the area I live in. Everywhere is different. Like I said, it wouldn't hurt to have him checked though.

I didn't even talk until I was 3 and my speech is perfect. All kids learn there speech at a different pace. I have heard many kids speaking "dutchy", meaning, it doesn't sound like anything familiar, but it is, in their mind, the same word. At 23 months, the fact that he is counting and can verbalize that, no matter the fact that it sounds strange, is more than enough to be excited about. Too many parents now days want their kids to be above the bar when it comes to every milestone, and they have to relax and realize every kid has their own milestone points and they all differ. If by the time he is 4 or five and is still having issues, than think about a therapist before he begins school. But for now, take the pressure off of him.

The pacifier could be a factor because it changes the formation of the mouth. How the tongue is used determines how words sound. On the other hand he may grow into better speech patterns. My grandson made very strange words when he was two such as gungals for girls and deten for dishes, etc. As as adult he talks very well. Good luck with this situation

I don't think any parent needs to worry about speech problems that early on in life. My nephew turned two in December and he is just now starting to talk. If he is three years old and hasn't improved enough talk to your doctor at that time. Right now just keep talking to him using the correct name for things. No, baby talk and he should get better. Also, definitely no pacifier during the day. I watched children in day care for years. I had a little boy with a great vocabulary but, he always had a paci at home. His parents didn't realize how much he could talk. I have a huge pet peeve with parents who have 3,4, or 5 year old children with those in their mouths. Children should be heard not just seen. All a pacifier does is close their mouths. Although I do understand the nighttime pacifier. My children gave up their pacifiers at about 13 months but, my nephew still takes his at night. It comforts him to sleep. Don't worry about your son's speech just yet though. Just enjoy him!!!!

Oh honey, it's fine!! He is doing exactly what all kids do at this age. I have raised five kids. They are now 28, 24, 22, 20 & 18. All of them were like that at 23 months. My 20 yr. old was what they call "very dutchy". They did start speech therapy with him when he started school. He had one year and did great. The doctors never worried. They said to wait till he started school and see how he was doing then. So don't worry about it. Believe me, he will be talking soon enough and when he does, watch out!!! As for understanding him, pick up what you can and always when you talk back to him, use the proper words. That helps alot with his understanding of the words also. Hope this helps!!
D.

Good step to have him remove his paci before talking. That may help. Have you had his hearing checked? He may be repeating what he is hearing, which may be muffled to his tiny ears. He could have allergies which are causing fluid in his ears - but possibly not enough to cause an ear infection. Normally speech classes are not started for one so young until there is a documented issue to be addressed (affecting school progress, discipline issues, etc.) Best of luck.

He's still an itty bitty. Just keep clarifying the proper pronunciation when he goofs up and he'll eventually catch on. Make a game of saying words and having him repeat what you say.Go around the house and point to things and say what they are, then ask him to tell you. Eventually have him point out what things are on his own. Pictures in books are another great way to encourage this. He's doing just fine. My two year old is closer to three now, but when he was 23 months that was totally appropriate speech. Keep up the good work!!

Hello,
My 3yr. old daughter has speech problems. My other 3 kids did not. I contacted our board of education and got my daughter into a preschool speech class. It's 1 hour on Fridays and she loves it! They play games and sing songs that are speech therapy. It's free of charge! I've learned a lot from the teachers and they will come to me w/ specific things to work on w/ her.

Try contacting your board of education for your city schools. I'm sure they can point you in the right direction!

Hey T.,
My name is A. and I worked with babies birth to three years of age as an early intervention specialist until I left the work force to stay home with my own childre. I worked with a speech therapist on a daily basis and learned a great deal from her. I think you already have taken a great step by taking the paci away during the day time. It makes sense that his speech is unclear if he has been having to talk around it most of his life so far. I would give it some time as far a checking into speech therapy to see how he improves without the paci. Remember there are many speech sounds that children do not pronounce correctly until age 5. A rule of thumb when it comes to speech is the child should be able to put together the number of words per his age (if he is two he should be puting two words together, three - three words together, etc.) it sounds like he is doing that and that you are more concerned about his pronunciation. Talk to your ped. at his two year check up and get his take on it. Make sure you are using your best diction when speaking to him so he can imitate it (stressing the sounds he is struggling with) but keep it light and fun so it is not obvious you are correcting him. There are also several speech "cues" that you could use to help him learn lip and tounge placement for certain sounds (such as running your fingers across your lips when you make the "M" sound, or tapping your lips when making the "P" sound, tapping your throat when making the "C" and "K" sounds).Obviously I am NOT a speech therapist so these are just some ideas. I hope this helps a little. A.

I don't think that you should particularly need to havr him checked out at this age, BUT I do think that you should be careful that your family does not encourage his mispronunciation by acquiescing to his requests without expecting him to talk more clearly.
In other words, you need to prompt him to pronounce single words more correctly and consistently in order to help him.
Because you know him it is so easy to understand what he wants, but he needs to be expected to talk more clearly.
If you do this between now and the age of 4, when he should be evaluated, then whatever help he will need will be less than if you do nothing.

It never hurts to have it checked out. I have known several children who needed speech therapy & the sooner they start the better. There are programs in your county to help you. Help Me Grow is one of them. They can answer your questions too.

T.,

Make an appointment today with both an audiolgist and a speech and language pathologist. It is not too early. You need to get to the bottom of it now, even if you are told that nothing is wrong by the appropriate professionals. If you wait, and he does not out grow it, you have wasted time that he will never get back. The sooner the better if it is a real delay, and you would not be asking if it were not.

Developmental delays can be present at birth, and a very bright child who is unitellegible is not getting the approrpriate feed back with his langague skills that a child who is understood is getting; he needs to have the appropriate reciprocity with conversation so that he learns language well. The language development of a 22 month old is enourmous, but it also happens in a very organized and linear fashion, he may be missing or even misunderstanding large parts of it without the appropriate feed back. Frustration will probably set in by the time that he is three, and that complicates the issue by leaps and bounds, so I urge you not to wait and see.

After you have made both appointments, sign up for the watch me grow program through the state of ohio to get someone to help you watch for other develpmental red flags, and since he already has one, it is much more likely that he will have others, and the sooner you find them, the better. It certainly does not mean that he has anything specific, it just means that you have already identifed a very large "at risk" factor for you son, and you should be vigilent about any others that may pop up.

M.

It never hurts to get an evaluation. If they say he is fine, then you can quit worrying. If they say he needs some speech therapy, then you are on top of things and getting him help now when it is easier for him to correct any problems.

My son was gross motor delayed. It was hard to admit there might be a problem and even harder when the experts said that yes there was a problem. But I don't for one second regret getting him therapy. It was what he needed to be healthy and happy! And now he has no problems. He just needed some extra help to get started.

Has he had a lot of ear infections? The first thing you can do is a hearing test. This is what a speech therapist would want to do initially anyway. As for the pacifier, they will tell you it's time to get rid of it if there are any speech issues. Also, if he is using a sippy cup, make sure it's one with a straw. Sucking through the straw will strenghen muscles he needs for speech.
Hope this helps!
K.
Owner - The Nanny Connection in Hudson, OH
www.yournannyconnection.com

I wouldn't worry to much he's very very young yet. my mother said the same thing about my daughter, and there were times that even at 4 i didn't understand her, but her teachers at preschool never had anything to say about it even when i asked them, it's an age thing, by all means if you are worried have his eharing checked but i wouldn't stress over it to much untill he's in preschool and starts havign trouble there if he does. my daughter in jsut the past year is now speaking clearly enough for strangers to understand her, and while we have found a problem with the letter R it isn't an all inclusive speak issue like ppl were trying to tell me it was. give it time, he's more than liekly to outgrow this.

You might want to have his hearing checked. I would have him checked for speech issues as well. It wouldn't hurt! Most issues with some boys is that they don't start to speak until later. He's trying to speak and knows what he's trying to say. He may be saying the numbers like it sounds when he hears them...

Hello,

My now 2 1/2 year old son had similar speech issues at age 2. I had the very similar concerns and tried to keep in mind that all children develop at thier own pace but I still had some reservations. At his 2 year check-up my pediatrition agreed that he did seem a little behind but suggested that I wait until my son was 2 years and 4 months old and see if anything changed. Apparently, this is a big developmental turning point for language development in children. I admit I had many reservations about waiting but because I completely trust his opinions I decided to follow his advice and low and behold at 2 years and 4 months it was like a light switch went off and my son started talking and pronuncing words and sounds much better. Also, due to other health issues, my son saw a therapist on occasion. She mentioned that many children tend to work on or try to master one developmental leap at a time (i.e., language, motor skills, etc.)and that sometimes other skills can take a back seat. My pediatrition had mentioned this as well. Looking back, I remember that my son was very into his motor skills (he was obsessed with learning to jump and climb)around age two and I think that is what he was concentrating on at the time. Maybe your son is focused on something else right now?? My pediatrition and therapist also suggested that children don't get as many benefits from speech therapy until thier old enough to sit for longer periods of time and follow directions. I would definitely ask you pediatrition for their opinion but maybe a wait and see approach would be fine as well. Hope this is helpful! Good luck!

Contact an agency called First Steps. This agency deals with counseling on several different levels for children under 3 years old. They can test your little one for speech impairment, mental/cognitive delays, disorders, etc. It is usually free and based upon income above approx $40,000. Insurance often covers some of the costs as well. They will come to the home and schedule appointments around you. Contact 211. It's a free call. Simply ask for the phone number to First Steps.

I used it for my son, and they were very helpful. After 3 years old, you have your son tested for FWCS at the Anthem Career Center. The school system takes over those counseling sessions at that point. I enrolled my son in a magnet pre-school at Whitney Young, and they've really helped him a great deal with emotional, behavioral, PTSD, and speech issues.

www.myspace.com/staceefrane
www.staceefrane.edcdiamond.com
____@____.com

There is plenty of research online for different disorders concerning speach..(I am not saying that your child has one) but if you are concerned talk to your doctor. I would search online for a program called Help Me Grow, they list milestones and other "hurdles" you can use to make your own decision. The was an article in Parents Magazine about different disorders and what the signs are, you might be able to read it on their website. Does he have any words that he can say clearly? I think you are on the right track with the paci,but I would talk to your doctor. If anything the doctor could give you suggestions to help you encourage him to say his words right. If he says a word wrong gently correct him and encourage him to say it right-tell him to watch you and repeat it as long as he will pay attention.

You might want to have his hearing checked. Sometime the child hears enough to understand but what he is hearing may sound like he is underwater. Has he had ear infections? I have had more than one friend that has found out that the speech problem was because the child wasn't hearing clearly. A couple had tube in their ears to help with the fluid build up from infections.

About me. Full time working mom of a high school freshmen

My son had speech delay and they would not treat it until he was 3 years old. He had few words. He did not babble at all. I would not worry yet unless there are other underlying things. Some speech sounds don't come until grade school. At two I would not worry. He is now almost 10 and doing great. We started therapy at 3 and a half. Read a lot out loud to him and encourage him to speak. DO not let people talk for him. Encourage him to talk as much as he wants.

Hi T.,
I have three children. My first was a girl and she was very well spoken from the time that she began to speak. My son came along and he was much harder to understand. He was much like your little one, I could understand him, but those that were not with him all the time could not. My pediatrician insisted that I was just comparing him to my daughter and that he was a BOY and it is just because my daughter (2 years older) spoke so well. Since my son had never had issues with ear infections or ear pain, the doctor told me that he would 'just outgrow it.'
I was still concerned after 2 well-visits to the doctor's office, so I asked to see a different pediatrician in the same practice (there are 7 in our pediatric group). When we returned the following week to have a visit with the different doctor, he suggested a Tympanogram. It is a check of the vibration of the ear drum. It requires no imput from your child -- like raising his hand when he hears a beep -- and it only takes about 20 seconds. The doctor found out that my son's right eardrum was calcified and not vibrating at all, and that his left eardrum was under vibrating. The fluid behind the eardrum was like paste or dried plaster and that my son was hearing everything 'as though he is underwater and we are above water talking to him' as the doctor explained it. We were immediately set up with an appointment to the ENT doctor and had tubes put in 3 weeks later. Within 2 WEEKS my son was talking legibly and in complete sentences and we have had NO PROBLEMS since; he is now 7 years old.

Sometimes mama does know best!!! Good Luck, Sheri

T.,
If you have ANY concerns about your son's speech please contact your local County MRDD. They will evaluate your child for Free and if he does need service they will come to your house. It is all free. They have a WONDERFUL program to help with speech delays, motor delays...etc. My middle son used the services till he was 3yrs old. At the age of 3 the school usually takes over services for your child if there is a school program. I cannot tell you enough how great these people are who come to your home and help your child.

HI I have a 5 yr old who has the same problems she has been in speech since she was 3. I started to pus at 18 mos when she didnt even atempt to talk, the dr.s said it was normal...come to find out she had speech imparment. I took her own my own to have her tested for growth and development and she passed everything except the speech. She qualified for preschool and speech class at 3 yrs old and now 2 yrs later she is speaking a lot better. Not perfect but before she would not even attepmt to talk if she knew she couldnt pronounce it (very smart!) She is very outgoing and talks in large group settings and is really blossoming into a outgoing person! I would PUSH for testing and speech clsses or some help now I think if she would have gotten help early she would have had less problems. I hope this helps! S.

We are experiencing the same thing with our son who just now turned 4. Our older son's speech was always very clear and very understandable but with our 4 yr. old, even we as his parents, would sometimes say "what?" — we couldn't understand him. I went in for a checkup with our pediatrician about 3 months ago and she asked if he always spoke unclear and I said "yes" and she sent us to a Ear, Nose and Throat doctor. Turns out his adnoids and tonsils are too big and so we are getting ready to have those removed. He also has fluid built up in his ear and so we have to go back in and put a second set of tubes in that ear to help the drainage. So, you might check in with either your pediatrician or ear, nose, throat doctor to see if this is maybe something your son is experiencing.