My son started talking really well around Christmas after he became interested in baby signing time. Before that he knew words, but rarely said them. His speech is a little unclear at times, although we are not really worried since I think it will become better as he gets older. The problem I am having is that he reverses words. He did not really say 2 words together until recently with the exception of jumbled sentences, Wher e go? wha is it? I a know? Now he is saying 2 words together, but mixing them up. cake cup, outside comeon, dog bad, ball basket, cup my, ect...This is my first child and I am wondering if this is normal or the beginnig of a larger issue. The words that he can sign like, sorry mommy, he gets right. I'm guessing because he is signing and saying them at the same time? When I say words backwards he repeats them right, which is why I am starting to worry.
Good Morning S.,
My nephew did that same thing. Boy cow, belt seat and more. He outgrew it. We would just correct him and he eventually got it. It took about 6 - 9 months before we noticed it was gone. He is now a police office, so.. I dont think I would worry about long time bad thing!! :-)
It is a form of dyslexia, but nothing serious!
Hang in there!!!!
I'm sure you will get lots of advice on this. But, in my opinion, there's nobody better than your pediatrician to address this concern with. The thing that worries me is that if you say something backwards, he repeats it correctly. So, like, if you say "ball basket", will he say "basket ball"?? I don't think I've ever seen that before. I'm sure he's just fine, but I would call my doctor for some peace of mind. =0)
Im sure he will be fine. I took my daughter to a speech pathologist when she was 2 because she still wasnt' talking and they said it would come, and it did and now she wont' shut up. lol
The pediatrician can recommend a speech pathologist or I went to the speech screening at the public school.
I agree with always speaking correctly to a child. They learn by example.
well my youngest is in speech classes he is 4 and is way behind but he is developmentally delayed but he does about the same but only on certain things like instead of me help or help you he says help me when he is wanting to help but then again like i said he is behind the curve hope everything works out
Im sure it is just a matter of his processing not yet being developed. As another mom suggested, I don't think it is something to worry about unless it doesn't change in the next 12 - 24 months.
If you are really concerned, I am sure your Pediatrician has a "Nurses Help Line" you can call for free.
Often toddlers grow so quickly that they will drop a "learned skill" for a while to concentrate on another new skill they want to master. Consider all the things he is doing right now, speech may not be at the top of his list. Especially if he is able to communicate effectively for now.
Do what makes you feel best about it. : )
P
Kids go through all kinds of stages, and I wouldn't give it much thought unless it continues forever and is consistent (like, about everything). My brother is now 64 and a retired high school math and science teacher (with a Master's degree plus a bunch), and Mom said that when he was little he called a wheelbarrow a 'barrie wheel' and a refrigerator a 'fridgereator' and a canthook (a primitive logging tool) a 'hook can't'. I don't think it had anything to do with his intelligence or his learning ability, tho! LOL Kids also often go through stuttering phases (especially boys).
Our younger daughter (now almost 21) used to say "my's" and "you's" instead of my/mine and yours (until she was 3 or 4). Kids rename lots of stuff! LOL
Hope everything's all right. Just appreciate your boy for the wonderful gift he is from God and don't sweat the small stuff (and everything is 'small stuff')
God bless!
Hi S.:Sorry this is so long, but bear with me. I have several years of professional experience working with small children (both with typical and atypical functioning), and a degree in therapeutic recreation. I have heard a few children do this same sort of thing - especially when they are concentrating on a newer skill. He is still learning what order words fit together, and as long as he is getting his point accross that might not be as important as another new skill he is trying to figure out. If you have ever learned a foreign language you understand the process of having to think about words and the order they go in before you speak, and sometimes toddlers do not have that kind of patience or their mouths just move faster than their brains. I have also nocticed that children who reverse the order of words will often say the word that is more important/gets the point accross more efficiently first. In the example of ball basket, the ball is what he wants or is looking at and basket is just a clarifier. I wouldn't worry about his repeating it correctly after you have said it backwards, since he has heard that it doesn't sound right, so trys another way to say it. I aggree that for the next month or two you should try just correcting him. If he points and says "ball basket!" then you could say, "Yes, that is a basketball!" Or you could say "Do you want the basketball?" Be very matter of fact and do not try to make him repeat the correct way back to you. It will only frustrate him and will most likely turn into a power struggle. Encourage everyone who has contact with your son to do the same.If you are still feeling nervous or unsure, Speech Therapists are an excellent resource. Even if there is nothing "wrong" you will have piece of mind, and they can give a lot of valuable pointers about other ways to "correct" common speech issues. Besides that if there is an issue you will be able to recieve early intervention services. Most insurance companies cover it and the agency your foster son came to you through will most likely be able to give you a recommendation.
I hope this long rambling post was helpful!
Kathy
When my son was 4 years old he was writing his name backwards. I mean letters and writing it from right to left instead of writing the letters correctly and from left to right. You could literally put it up to a mirror and it would be his name a perfect as you please. Which was fine if we read everything in a mirror. I took him to the doctor and she said, it's okay. I asked about dislexia and she said they wouldn't evaluate a child for that until they were in school around 1st or 2nd grade. My son is in 2nd grade now and needless to say - nothing's wrong with him. He also talked backwards like your son is doing but at 2 they are just learning how to talk and make complete 2-3 word sentences. Keep correcting him when he does it and he will get it right within a few months - you'll see. It's nothing to worry about but if you are still concerned say something to your pedicatrician at his next check-up.
call the doctor. i worked with 2 year olds in day care and this was something you never really heard of
My daughter said whole words backwards. TUNS for nuts, MAGRA for grandma. for a while she put a t at the end of her words wall-t paper-t ect. Your son is still young, the best thing for now is tht all the adults in his life model proper speech, no baby talk, and don't nag him too much. I am sure he will get it straightend out and it will all be a precious funny memory. Grandma L.-t
hi, i think it would be wise to talk to your ped. good luck, R.
.
Your request made me smile about a fond memory I have of my (now 10 yr old) daughter at that age. She used to get her words mixed up, too. She used to say things like "hass-gropper"instead of "grasshopper" and "bug-guy" instead of "goodbye". She eventually grew out of this stage and looking back I think she just had so much to say to us and her little mouth couldn't keep up with her thoughts. I don't think you have anything to be concerned about at all. time. My kid is a straight A student...still can't get her to stop talking. :)
Contact a speech therapist and get an expert's opinion. My son went to speech therapy through the public school system from age 3 until the 5th grade and it was free.
I also have a 2 year old little boy that does that same thing from time to time. When we say the words backwards, he says it correctly. I have never really worried about it because he's just two and still learning how to talk. The main time I notice him saying things backwards is when he is excited about something. It's like his mouth is working faster than his brain, lol. Most of the kids I have been around lately can not say but a handfull of words and they're 3 or older. If this is truly that big of a concern to you, call your ped. and ask them if you should be worried or if you should just wait to see if he out grows it. Good luck!
I think it is normal for this age. I remember my children doing this for a bit. By 2 1/2 they should start getting back on track. Keep working with him and it should get better soon. If you are still unsure, call the doctor and just ask.
Perfectly normal! My son (now 6) called the computer a "pee-cuter" and said phrases backwards all the time. My 2 yr old daughter has done the same thing but is starting to say sentences correctly now. I wouldn't worry about it unless it continues at age 3 & 4, but for now, just continue to say it correctly, but not make a big deal out of it. I thought my son needed speech therapy because I was the only one that could understand him, but when he got to pre-school and the other kids couldn't understand him he started speaking more clearly on his own. Good luck, but I'm sure your son will be talking your ears off soon enough!
Your son is probably fine, but it probably wouldn't hurt to call your Ped and get their opinion on this question. And congrats on his being able to speak as clearly as he is. Hopefully, as long as you keep teaching him the proper way to say these things he will get the hang of it. My niece spoke as though she had marbles in her mouth until she was 3 and in the span of one week her words just became as clear as a bell. All children develop at different levels and speeds so you never know. Good luck with your little one.
