Level of speech for those kids around 3years old?

DS is almost 3 & I'm wondering if I should try & continue speech services for him & have him evaluated by the school district. He has had 5 months of speech therapy that he finished at the end of summer - he went from 0 words to non stop talking BUT he is not speaking in complete sentences (for example, he'll say "I want tv" instead of "I want to watch tv" & his pronunciation isn't always very clear. He also seems like he has a slight lisp. I know we shouldn't compare as parents but what the heck, is my kid on track or not?

edited to add that his speach therapist did not qualify him to continue EI services but now at his age, he would qualify through the SD.

Message edited 12/21/2012 11:44:30 AM.

Level of speech for those kids around 3years old?

My three year old doesn't always speak in complete sentences, but when I correct her, she will repeat the complete sentence. She can also connect two thoughts, like using I'm hungry and cold.

Re: Level of speech for those kids around 3years old?

My son is 3 and barely qualified for speech through the school district.. They are strict. My therapist says it is pretty normal for them to not speak in complete sentences.. He started speech at 22 months old.. EI ends once they reach 3. You can call the school district to have him evaluated. My so thit the cut off and he has a long way to go. He still can't pronounce "ck", "k", "g"... He is missing a lot of words..

Level of speech for those kids around 3years old?

Go through the school district. I didn't stop services until he started kindergarten. Prepare him the best you can. Complain that he gets fustrated when he can't communicate.

Re: Level of speech for those kids around 3years old?

Re: Level of speech for those kids around 3years old?

I would have him evaluated bc there is a big difference btw EI and Preschool services. EI encourages communication and using words, but at the preschool level they focus in more on specific problems like articulation and using full sentences. Its worth it....I honestly hated EI bc I felt that therapy in the home was a waste of time for my son. It was such a hassle trying to keep him interested in working and playing with the therapists toys, but the county would not let me switch. He's been receiving services out of the home for about a month now, and he is doing so much better...just like you described your son. He still struggles with the articulation of some sounds but that is one of the main areas his therapist is working on. I see so much improvement.

Re: Level of speech for those kids around 3years old?

wow, thank you ladies for your advice!

Re: Level of speech for those kids around 3years old?

holy cow!! speaking with SD 26 in queens right now on the phone & they guy answering the phone CANNOT speak engligh. He said I need to go through special ed?? & gave me another # to call.

Re: Level of speech for those kids around 3years old?

my almost 3 year old is above the norm for speech. She speaks complete sentences and has for about 6 months. My older son was not as "advanced" with language. I think she spoke quicker b/c of having an older brother so close in age. I say go with your gut. If you feel the speech is not up to par then try to get more services.

Re: Level of speech for those kids around 3years old?

I'm a speech therapist (in NJ though). I can't say anything specifically without seeing your son. But what I can say is that with kids this age, SO MUCH of language/speech is in the modeling. So like when he says " I want TV"... you should repeat and add to it, " You want to watch TV?"... so he can hear and learn the longer, expanded sentences that you want him to use. same thing with vocabulary- use 'bigger" vocabulary, so he learns new words.
But, sometimes its not just the model. Sometimes boys especially, tend to just be "busy" and not want to take the time to use longer sentences But thats where you just have to keep letting him hear the longer sentences and eventually he should slow down alittle bit and start using them too
As far as articulation (pronunciation) of words/sounds... each sound has an age where we expect the child to master that sound. For example, the "R" sound isn't expected to be mastered until around 8 years old. But "B" and "P" should be mastered pretty early on. Soo....the therapist will look at the sounds he has trouble saying and look at the ages those sounds are mastered. Then decide whether he qualifies for speech, or whether to just give him some more time to "Get" those sounds. Let me know if you have any questions

Re: Level of speech for those kids around 3years old?

thank you, ml110. After reading what you wrote, I realize alot of it is what our therapist also said to me during his sessions so I know he will be fine. He has improved from modeling his therapist/me in the past so I'll stick with that. Maybe I won't call for an evaluation afterall. But what about his lisp? How can I help him with that?