My son just turned 4 and has always been extremely articulate, and is now learning phonics and reading. He has always had a unique almost southern drawl. Not sure why, as we live in the west! Lately, this drawl has become more pronounced, and is to the point where we are now having difficulty understanding him. He recently had a cold and ear infection, so I'm hoping it is only related to this, but I am slightly concerned that there is something else going on. It has worsened over the last month, and I was hoping it was in my head, but my mom brought it up and then my daycare lady asked me if I had noticed it. Anyone else experienced this? I've read that it can be a sign of Autism in a younger child, but didn't find anything about an older toddler. Thanks for any advice!
If I were in your shoes the very first thing I would do is make him an appointment at the ENT to have his hearing tested and you can go from there. Let us know what comes of this, good luck!
i would call the dr as well. It may be something as simple as a hearing issue. My daughter has that same southern draw it decreased a lot this year as did her high level of articulation. I believe it has more to do with being around kids and emulating their behavior and the way they speak rather than anything serious in her case, but I can still understand her she J. doesn't use dollar words and speak as grammatically correct as before K.
If other people are noticing it, I'd definitely talk to a doctor or find a speech pathologist to listen to him. Maybe it's nothing, but better to be told that than to have done nothing if it is something.
Sounds like a hearing problem so I would have him checked! He may just need tubes or something.
Sounds like hearing issues... I would call the doc ASAP and if they aren't willing to help you out, get another opinion!
