DS mimicking friend’s speech impediment

[Anonymous]

My kid did this because kids like to talk like each other. I just said, “use YOUR voice, please.” I didn’t make it about right or wrong.

[Anonymous]

One thing I will say is, this might make it tricky when your pediatrician asks about your son’s language at your next visit. I had to see a speech therapist for my daughter at 4 years bc my daughter had some odd speech patterns that she did just to be funny (making up nonsense words, speaking too fast, etc). So, when the pediatrician asked “can other people understand your child?” I had to honestly answer no because my daughter was always joking around when speaking to adults. We went to the speech appt and she was totally fine and even somewhat advanced on the evaluation. That experience convinced me that it’s part of my responsibility to make sure my kids know it’s important to speak clearly so people can understand you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid did this because kids like to talk like each other. I just said, “use YOUR voice, please.” I didn’t make it about right or wrong.

Good one!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That is so cruel. I don't care if he is only 3. You don't do that.

You are projecting too much onto a 3 yo. At 3, it is far more likely he is mimicking his friend because he has noticed the difference and is trying to figure it out in his own head. That doesn’t mean it isn’t hurtful to his friend or that OP shouldn’t correct him for that reason, but it is unlikely the intent is to be cruel. The child is 3.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you for these helpful suggestions. I really appreciate it. My son is definitely not making fun of his friend; they are best buddies and I think he is copying his inflection because he likes him. Great idea from the poster who said to encourage him to use his own individual voice. That’s a great message and I will do just that. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One thing I will say is, this might make it tricky when your pediatrician asks about your son’s language at your next visit. I had to see a speech therapist for my daughter at 4 years bc my daughter had some odd speech patterns that she did just to be funny (making up nonsense words, speaking too fast, etc). So, when the pediatrician asked “can other people understand your child?” I had to honestly answer no because my daughter was always joking around when speaking to adults. We went to the speech appt and she was totally fine and even somewhat advanced on the evaluation. That experience convinced me that it’s part of my responsibility to make sure my kids know it’s important to speak clearly so people can understand you.

No. It’s your job to answer the Ped’s question accurately. Adults could understand her when she wanted to be understood.

[Anonymous]

I am in this same situation and feel so much for you! I googled looking for advice and am shocked at people’s negativity towards you. My son loves his friend and just wants to be like him. We were afraid of the boy’s parents being offended so we spoke with them and they also found it sweet.

Our worry was that we often could no longer understand our previously very articulate child. He would screech and grunt instead of speaking. He also was doing his friend no favors by not speaking clearly to him.