I want to thank everyone for their advice and insight on the issue we are having with Maddie speaking clearly. I am just a wreck about it. I feel like crying, I am sure hormones are part of the problem.
For those that didn't hear, Maddie speaks but just not too clearly. She has certain words that are clear and concise but others are 1/2 words or such. When we went to the Dr. on Saturday, she said that if Maddie isn't speaking more clearly in a few months, then she wants a speech and hearing evaluation. My heart sunk, but I rather get her checked out and get her on track while she is young, so I will do what I have to.
We are trying to reinforce her words, we have tried reading to her, but seriously, she doesn't sit long enough for us to read a page to her, she wants to run and play. I am hoping the light bulb will come on and she will be spouting her words clearly soon. I just wish I didn't feel so sick about this.
Daily Kitten Chat Forum » General Chat
Maddie's Speech Issue
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Posted 3 years ago by cricketsmama #
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Maddie just turned 2, right? I don't think that it is time to panic yet. It doesn't seem likely that there is a learning disability there, since she is speaking and understanding words. All kids seem to start speaking clearly at different ages (sort of like potty training). It sounds like the doctor is on top of things, so that is good.
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CM, bless your heart, like others have said read when you can to her and with her. She is two which is a whirlwind age anyways, don't blame yourself or feel sick about it until the time comes and they do want to test her. If the Doctor thought it was urgent they would have scheduled the testing now, you just don't need the stress especially being pregnant. Talk to you a bit later, ciao my friend.
Posted 3 years ago by AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew #
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I hope it's nothing. She totally understands what we are saying and does what we ask her. Her friend who is 3 months younger speaks like a 5 year old..very clear and very concise and we feel like whoa..why can't Maddie. I know all kids are different, but I just want her to be okay.
She has had ear infections but she has only had maybe 4 in the last 2 years. I don't think that's too bad.Posted 3 years ago by cricketsmama #
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CM, does Maddie's friend have older brother/sister? Sometimes they pick things up from their siblings. My niece, who comes from my brother's 2nd marriage, had only older people around her (her older siblings are 10+ years older) and her vocabulary skills were frightening. On the other hand, her little brother, who is 18 months, hardly talks at all. We figure that he learned early on that he was never going to get a word in anyway...)
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Please don't let this get you down. As others have said, Maddie is only two and some children just don't form words clearly until develop a little more. My niece rarely spoke a lot until she was three...and then we couldn't get her to shut up. LOL! Maddie will be fine.
Posted 3 years ago by LadyKat of IA #
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CM - don't worry so much about it - my oldest, John, had to have speech therapy while in 1st grade - we understood everything he said and so did everyone else - he just didn't pronounce the words the way the teacher did and she suggested the therapy at school and they supplied the therapist. I was going to ask the same thing that NNGM did about the older siblings - John was the oldest and didn't have anyone but us and has done just fine - he'd rather talk than eat sometimes! If she is responding to you then she is hearing just fine, and you don't need to worry about it. Some kids don't want to say the words the way they hear it because sometimes it's fun to make people think it's cute the way it's said. When she's ready to say them the "correct" way, then she will. But who's to say what's "correct" - we moved from Colorado to Florida and the boys were constantly asking us what Grandma was saying - she was southern all the way and even tho I grew up with her, after 13 years in Colorado, I had some trouble understanding her words as well!{{{CM & Maddie}}}
Posted 3 years ago by KarenCentennial #
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{{{{{CM}}}} I agree with everyone - don't panic. When my husband was a little boy, no one (except his older brother) could understand a word he said until he was about six years old! Nothing was wrong with him at all, the doctors said his left side & right side of his brain were at war. He turned out to be a lefty, but does a lot of things right handed. He writes left, but plays all sports - baseball, golf, etc. right handed! He actually is a very brilliant person - serious IQ in the mensa range!! He was just slow developing his speech. I'm sure Maddie will be just fine.
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Thank you everyone. I hope that I am just freaking out over nothing.
Posted 3 years ago by cricketsmama #
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lol, 2bp - it's their subjects that have problems!!!
Posted 3 years ago by KarenCentennial #
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Try not to worry too much CM! I had to have speech therapy when I was younger, since I had a gaping bite (I think thats right?), which meant my teeth didn't sit properly. I was a chatty child, but noone could understand a word I said - 'sh', 'ch' and 'th' were particularly hard. Add to that I speak very fast and quietly and it was just gibberish. Also, with speaking so fast I'd often clip words, another thing i have to watch myself for still, could this be what Maddie's doing? It must have worried my parents too, and of course it was probably a problem at school because I couldn't be understood, but I didn't care and my mum could usually understand what I meant so I was perfectly happy. I would guess Maddie probably is too. I have two older sisters but even with that, and my parents talking to me and reading with me, I needed help. And it was fine, I saw a lovely lady about once a week and we gently worked through it. It didn't affect my confidence at all, and I'm also not stupid or anything, so don't worry about that with Maddie, if you are. If she does need a bit of help, then at least it's being found out now, and it will all be fine in the end!
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CM, did you see the note that I left for you last night? Now I can't remember if it was on the Night Shift or still in the cafe. Anyway, Tigerlilly and I would strongly recommend that you have Maddie's hearing tested. Although her ear infections have been relatively infrequent, four bad ones could impact her hearing.
Remember that I said I worked as an Early Interventionist? So, I sort of have that hat on right now. Generally speaking (but there are always exceptions) a two year old should have about 200 words and be putting together two word sentences. But environment and health issues can really impact that. Also, there are some children that develop their "own" language and because family understands it they see no reason to use anything else. That's why sometimes you'll see a kid show up in kindergarten and no one has a clue except his folks what he's saying.
There are a few things that I would suggest trying, and I certainly do understand that having a new baby on the way complicates things. First, I honestly would get Maddie's hearing tested. Then, if you can get her into a play group of some sort where she has a bit more exposure to other children and other adults, it might stimulate her language skills. Then, television is fine but I would pick programs that ask her to interact. Like repeating numbers, animal names, animal sounds, etc. If you go for a walk around the block, point things out to Maddie and have her repeat them. Read very simple books to her because a two year old has a short attention span, and have her point to a picture and tell you what it is. When you are cooking, point things out to her (spoon, plate, cup, etc) and have her repeat them. The key to developing language is practice and exposure.
Maybe this site will help a bit:
http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/communication/not_talk.html
All children develop differently, so none of this "I'm a bad mother" stuff. But, there's lots that you can do to stimulate her. Like when you give Maddie a bath, put toys in the tub and have her tell you what they are.
{{{{Hugs to you all!}}}}
Posted 3 years ago by WillowandWindismom #
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CM, please don't worry about Mattie, i'm sure she will be just fine. My 15 yo son had numerous ear infections when he was little (had his 1st set of tubes when he was 10 months). He had trouble with certain sounds such as r's and l's. when he was in the 1st grade he had speech therapy to address his specific problems and his therapy only lasted a month & it made a big difference. I also have a grandson that just turned three & he has just stared to speak clearly. Give MAttie a big hug for me!
Posted 3 years ago by BoogerMercurysMama #
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CM, I 100% agree with WWM about having Mattie's hearing tested. My son has had an Ear, nose & throat Dr. since he was about 4 months old & he kept a good check on his hearing. I would check with the pediatrician & ask him about the possibility of refering her to an ENT. By the way, my son started tubes so early because they could deal with the ear infections but they couldn't really take care of the fluid in his ears without the tubes.
Posted 3 years ago by BoogerMercurysMama #
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CM...my son always wanted me to read to him..he would sit for hours to read.
But he was also loved to be outside. So when we went out for playtime I would say words and have him repeat them after me. If he had problems with a word we would work on it more...I would kinda mix up the words he spoke easily and then sneak in one of the problem words..that way he didn't get so frustated if he couldn't say the word correctly. It was a fun way for him to learn without having to sit still for a long period of time. I would give it some time. Seems like everyone is in such a hurry for kids to grow up these days and that they should follow a chart for progress. Doesn't work that way. Unless there is a medical problem Maddie will eventually get it right. I have a 4 year old nephew that talks so fast I still can't understand him. I just have to make him slow down and repeat it. But he has 2 older sisters so he probably has to talk fast to get in a word every now and then...lol In the other thread you mentioned about not being a good mom. Don't ever ever doubt yourself about being a good mom..things will come up and you are on top of it so if it does become a problem you are aware of it and can get Maddie the help she needs.Posted 3 years ago by ILoveMyCats #
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another - rare - thing with ear infections - my youngest had one that the doctor discovered during his 9 month check up - no fever, no fussing, no pulling or hitting his ear - no symptoms at all - and lucky for us - he didn't get more either - but Maddie could have had more than the ones you know about.
Posted 3 years ago by KarenCentennial #
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Oh, I forgot one other thing! Don't let Maddie point to what she wants - have her say the word or tell you what she wants. It may take awhile if she's been used to doing that - just be patient!
There's that old story about the little boy who never said a word until he was six years old. Then one day he didn't get what he wanted and just started talking a blue streak. His parents were amazed and asked "Why haven't you spoken before?". To which the little boy replied, "Well, up until now everything was okay".
Not a true story, of course but it sure could be! Kids are just like that.
Posted 3 years ago by WillowandWindismom #
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I'm glad you brought that up KC, My son never ran a fever with his ear infections, nor did he mess with his ears. He would give out just a slight whimper when he was asleep & that was always my cue to take him to the ENT. And CM you are not a bad Mommy at all, so please don't beat yourself up. (((HUGS)))
Posted 3 years ago by BoogerMercurysMama #
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I am feeling better as I read everyone's comments and the experiences they went through. She actually said a few words better today like backpack..so that's great!
She knows what a lot of things are thank goodness, I ask her to show me a spoon or a cow or square and she shows it to me. So she knows. I always point out things to her and she is starting to "help" me cook, so I tell her what I am doing and what I am cooking with etc.
I just need patience and if there is no improvement then I will definitely work with the Dr to check her hearing and whatever she needs.
Hugs to everyone!! Thank you so much!!Posted 3 years ago by cricketsmama #
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Well that one may not be WWM..but when I was about 4 my grandma asked my mom if there was something wrong with me..she had never heard me speak before..The reason??? Well, my older sister would talk up a "blue streak" and they were always telling her to be quiet..since I was shy anyway, if I wanted or needed something I would just whisper it to my sister and she'd take care of it..
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