Would You Recommend a Speech Assessment?

[Pestle]

I have a 3 1/2 year-old in care who is often unintelligible to the parents as well as to myself. Today we sat down and I had them repeat back words as we worked our way through the alphabet. As is common, we don't have the letter L, R, or the TH sound, and S is hit or miss; however, hard G, hard C, and H are also missing. For instance, I just asked them to say "Frank is a cat" and they said "Fant id a tat." "Hugs and kisses" is "uds ad tisses."

This kid is in care two days out of the week and was isolated throughout toddlerhood.

Would you attempt some informal speech therapy for a few days just to see where you get with it, then tell the parents that you have noticed some unusual sounds are missing and they might want look into intervention?

Jump straight to the recommendation for an assessment?

Or focus on language skills and let it go for a few more weeks or months?

[mamadaycare]

My daughter had a speech delay from excessive ear infections. We were able to get a free assessment on her and ultimately free services through the school system. Maybe just mention to the parents that you have notice that he is struggling in some areas of speech and it wouldn't hurt to get a free assessment through the school. The earlier the better! My daughter started services at 2 and she is now in first grade and still struggling with reading and talking.

[Momboss]

Usually at 3 you can get an assement and preschool readiness test through the school district. I always encourage this and they will decide if there are any concerns.

[Cat Herder]

If the resources are available to you, it can never hurt.

If they are way behind and causing more issues than they are helping (overwhelmed services load, but still required to get lot's of paperwork and input from you and parents even if they never see the child) there are unlimited resources available on facebook groups, youtube videos, etc. The virtual crew (special ed teachers, experienced parents, etc.) started sending out the help to the masses for free, just like Khan.

I have never understood why they keep the information and tips to themselves, anyway. It defeats the purpose of humanity.

[SignMeUp]

As a provider who's had several kids with speech issues, I also recommend a formal evaluation. Early intervention is the best. It can be hard for some parents to accept this though.
The inability to communicate effectively affects their social interactions too, and children can get frustrated, even aggressive, when they are not understood.

[Pestle]

The parent was very receptive and I have texted the link to the county assessment program for 3 to 5 year olds.