Progress of friends 3yr boy

Heres my qs, I babysit for my daughters friend, she has a boy that will be 3 in march,Im concerned about his developmental stage, if you tell him to go get things he knows what you are saying and will go get whatever I say but his speach is very behind, also he still picks things up off the floor and eats paper, that is something a  under 2 yr old would do not at 3, now I know about kids you all know my story, but he says ma, da, eeeee(for eat) jjjzzzz(for juice)and other things that I cant understand, she thought his speech would pick up bec he is around my kids all day for the past year, I work with him alot trying to get him to say it correctly but of no use, my kids along with others I know, including my 1yr grandaughter can say please,thank you, yes,and no he just grunts for yes and no  there is a small difference between the two, these are basic things you teach them in the beginning, I have tried to talk to her about it but it is her first child and she doesnt want to hear it, really takes offense if I say something to her any advice would be appreciated.

[RockRose]

Sounds like pica maybe?

People are often in denial about problems with their children,  and she may not fully see it until he starts kindergarten.  Especially if he's her only child.  

[sarubers]

Wouldnt the doctor say something to the mother about it? When I took my DS in for his 3 year old check up, they talked to him. Im assuming to see how his speech was. He is my first and would know if something was not quite right with the speech. So Im guessing that she is in denial. It's sad because he should be in speech therapy. I hope she opens her eyes soon! And you are doing the right thing by mentioning it to her. Maybe you could call and get some info or get a number for her. Im sure she wont want it but you never know, she might hold on to it and give it a second thought.

[wonderme]

Certainly there can be medical reasons for delayed development/speech.

Although it is her first (and only?), he is around a lot of other people (some of your kids) who may do a lot of talking for him.  And, respond to his grunts for food, juice, etc.

Why should he change when no one is making him?  I've seen this frequently with younger children whom everyone dotes on.

When my youngest would grunt responses, everyone would jump into action and get her whatever she wanted.  At some point it became apparent that she had become the boss of all of us.  When she was about 2-3, I simply told her I would not do what she asked until she spoke the words to me -- I would not reply to grunts.  She is now a bright and articulate little girl -- top of her class in fact.

That being said, if he does not pick up speaking when it is demanded (I mean this in a loving manner) of him, then it would certainly be necessary to have it investigated.

Perhaps you could tell the mother that you experienced a similar situation with one of your kids or nieces/nephews (even if this is not the case) and the doctor discovered that there was a cause.  Tell her you wanted to let her know, b/c it would have saved you a lot of worry and trouble if someone had told you so that your child could have gotten proper treatment early on.  It may make her less defensive if she feels you are commiserating with her.

Good luck!

[anxiousmomtobe?]

I have the same situation with my sil.  Both her children have terrible speech delays.  They are now 6 and 8 and I still find it very hard to understand them.  Their mum thinks they are just little boys and there is nothing wrong.

I hope he has a outspoken prek teacher who will insist he be evaluated by a speech therapist. Now is the time to intervene.  What a burden to not be able to communicate with the world.

[momof11]

I was at store sorry not to get back, she went to the ped. but she told him he says all these words, but in fact he only says partial words or something I cant understand, when the ped. tried to talk to him she said oh hes just shy, my kids constantly make him try to say the words properly bec it frustrates them when they dont know what he wants, he does alot of pointing, we all try to tell him say the words but at his home she does not make him even try, my daughter has been at her house when he points she does the guessing game, she want to enroll him in pre 3, so maybe if the teachers notice how he is then they can tell her maybe she will listen if it comes from a pro.

[wait and see]

my son had the same prob with his speech turned out that it was his hearing he could not hear in one ear properly so this was altering his speech saw an ENT he had tubes put in his ears and in the last six months his speech has improved he sounds like a thee year old should maybe that the problem have a hearing test done it cant hurt it may help, i hope that helps some.

[Me2mommy2b]

Wow, I'm a speech therapist and I say the earlier he can get some professional help, the better.  She needs to realize that the longer she ignores the problem, the worse the situation will get.  Someone suggested getting his hearing checked, that's a good idea.  Does he have any medical issues, takes any meds, any apparent facial muscles weakness?  There are many things that can be investigated to get to the root of the problem.  A child by 3 years of age should definitely be saying words if not sentences comprised of 2-3 words, at least.  Hope your friend realizes that it's for her own kid's benefit.