Nephew has speech impediment

LegacyUser

I am worried about my little nephew who is starting school this year, he has quite a bad speech impediment, it makes him difficult to understand. He is a thoughtful and sensitive little boy and I worry about him being bullied or the other kids not playing with him because they can't understand him. I can't say anything to his mother as it will be taken as an insult.

I can't understand why the health nurse or a doctor hasn't sent him for speech therapy, the older he gets the harder it's going to be, he should have been going long before now. I just worry that he will be isolated because of it and kind understand why they aren't trying to help him. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? I feel that if this isn't sorted it could hamper his confidence, friendships, etc. I am being overly paranoid.

Mr.Wemmick

The Junior Infants teacher will spot it straight away and help get him referred but.. if the parents think there is nothing wrong, there might be a struggle there. Any child under 5 is usually fast tracked for speech and language assessment but after that age there might be a long wait. Many parents go private, if they can afford it, to get the ball rolling with an assessment.

I am curious as to why the parents aren't seeking help. There is very little you can do, albeit a well-meaning worried Aunt, if the child's Mam & Dad don't think there's an issue.

RainyDay

Worriedauntie2 wrote: »

I can't understand why the health nurse or a doctor hasn't sent him for speech therapy

Probably because the parents haven't asked for therapy.