My DS2 was evaluated today by a speech therapist and appears to have a phonological processing problem. He can say over 150 words but tends to abbreviate the words to the first syllable and repeats that syllable. He says certain sounds consistently incorrectly like "d sounds like g" or "l like y" and "t like k". He tends to say individual words and very few 2-3 word sentences. He is qualifying for speech therapy but given his age that will only start in a few months.
He also is growing up trilingual at the moment but according to the evaluator that tends to produce sometimes a global delay in communicating rather than this processing issue.

I am wondering if anybody else had similar issues with their children? Did speech therapy help? Do you have any other suggestions/ thoughts?

Thank you very much for your help!

Hi Licorice,

My DD had only 20 words when she turned 2 and even as she added words she mispronounced certain sounds etc. She did receive speech therapy and quickly progressed - whether due to the therapy or simple development I am not sure. She stopped speech at 3 1/2 but recently (she is now 7) she is spelling phonetically and still has some sounds wrong - she will spell (and say) finking for thinking or brudder for brother. She starts speech again this week to help her with her writing/speech.
I was worried when she was young that she may have more issues but her receptive speech and ability to communicate non-verbally were really great.
How great that your son is growing up tri-lingual! In the long run I think this will be a big advantage.

Licorice, My son had speech therapy when he was 2 also (he only had 20 words at that time) and he switched the syllables around...saying the second syllable first at times. He would say his name Noh Coh instead of Connor...and because he couldn't do a hard C it sounded like "Noggy." We still call him Noggy for a nickname and it cracks him up. I don't remember if the speech therapist specifically called it phonological processing, but it sounds very similar to your son. DS overused the "h" sound when he couldn't produce other sounds so "hotdog" sounded like ha-ho. He was in speech therapy til kindergarten, but the reversing and the substituting sounds part of his speech cleared up within a year or so. And yes, how great to be growing up trilingual!! Nan

Thank you for all your responses - it makes me feel better that you guys have gone through speech therapy and it has helped. DS2 is very good with his receptive understanding but I feel he gets very frustrated that we do not understand him immediately.

We are seeing the pediatrician today for his 2 year wellness check up so I am curious what they will say. Also, did any of your kids have any hearing related issues that caused this speech delay. The evaluators yesterday commented that his speech pattern appears to be common for someone who would have some hearing issues. DS2 has only had 1 or 2 ear infections that we are aware of and they were not major by any means.

Licorice, I think hearing problems are always mentioned. DS was required to have a hearing test (through the early intervention program...at an ENT specialist) which was 100% normal. So, I imagine, you will likely have to have that done, too...it was not at all traumatic, very easy! Nan

I needed to have speech therapy at around that age because I had so many ear infections early in my life. Hearing problems/ear infections can make letters sound differently.

The pediatrician was not really concerned with DS' speech. The pediatrician also thought that the trilingual upbringing may have something to do with his issues but thought it would only be a short term issue. There was no fluid behind his ears. We will also have him checked out by an ENT. So, now I feel with some speech therapy and simply time he will be fine. Today I am feeling far less stressed out about all of that than yesterday. :*)