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Unintelligible Speech at 3-1/2 Years of Age

Bruce Hanson, M.S.

October 18, 2004

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Question

What can I do as a parent to help my 3 1/2 year old with his phonologic disorder? He has a minor problem. He is unintelligible to other people, I am the only one who understands. It will be 6 months before I can get him in a program. I can't help but

Answer

First of all if the parents are the only ones who understand the child I would be fairly concerned. Typically children that age are understood 50-75% of the time by all listeners. I would pursue services from a qualified SLP as soon as possible who would be able to both diagnose the specific speech problem and treat accordingly. Parents can do much for their children but specific at home activities should be prescribed by the SLP. Certainly I would contact the SLP in the local elementary school for help. I would also consider seeking services from a medical facility or private practice SLP given that they could secure a doctor's referral. Many universities with speech pathology programs have clinics associated with them for educational purposes.

Bruce Hanson has taught and supervised at Minnesota State University Moorhead since 1979 (25 years). His teaching responsibilities have included undergraduate and graduate courses in articulation and phonology. In addition he has taught clinical methods courses and cleft palate. He has been certified by the American Speech Language and Hearing Association since 1978 and holds licensure in both Minnesota and North Dakota. He is also a Board Recognized Specialist in Fluency Disorders.


Bruce Hanson, M.S.


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