hi i got a nearly 4 year old who has a speech delay too he  has not got a lot of words and he goes to speech and ot and physio iits hard because he still does not have that many words about 8 or  so and he uses alot of gestures and points i find that i just have to keep doing things  with him all the time and just praise him even when he trys too talk or say a word i get really excited and he has a big smile on his face and looks proud with him self . every night we do a special activity  during the day i do things but at night i do flash cards or works books, books just anything to promote his languge or help. yeh i am  really worried too but i know that i am doing everything that i can do and u are doing everything too. My son goes to preschool next year not sure if he needs extra help but if u think he needs something just push for it u know what your son needs.but if u want to talk more it be great 

good luck

Our 4 year old daughter was very slow with her speech too, but finally looks like she is going to be another chatter box.  She is very lazy with the way she says some words, and we are trying to correct it before a bigger problem occurs.  You could try flash cards with easy words on them to see if that helps, and concerntrate on the the words he has trouble with.

Also look into medical reasons. Hearing? Does he or has he had a lot of ear infections. Get his eyes checked. I did this because my son was always a little behind other kids his age and he was very long sited and since having glasses he has advanced in leaps and bounds.

Also does he talk at all? Had he talked before? If he has it might be laziness and try not giving his certain things unless he asks if you know what words he can say. For eg. if he can say drink but always points make him say it before you will let him have it.

Take him to a doctor, better still a paediatrician. There could be a problem you don't know about. Also have his hearing checked. My son's speech was behind because he had a lot of ear infections when young & couldn't hear properly. The therapist should be finding ways to help him - if they aren't getting anywhere you have to wonder about what they are doing. They also should be suggesting other tests such as I have mentioned.

At home, encourage him to use his words. Don't give him what he wants unless he uses, or at least attempts to use, his words. Use a star chart for encouragement. Do you read to him much? Reading a lot can be a great help. Let him read some of the simple words. Even if you use picture books - point to a picture, say the word, then ask him to say it. A star chart can also help here - let him put up a star when he says the word. Praise him up a lot when he says words - kids thrive on praise - tell him how clever he is, what a good boy he is, tell others of his accomplishments so they too can praise him.

Don't worry too much. I'm sure there is a logical reason - some kids are just slow starters at some things.

This question got posted yesterday, you might have a look at the answers.

Jodi