My three year old is VERY sociable. He gets that gene from my side of the family (obviously). Anyway, he doesn't make shy and is very quick to want to play with kids. He does share well with other peoples' toys but has a few issues with select favorite toys at home ~ very normal.

Lately, as in a month or so before we move (say June'ish) I started noticing him stuttering with some words. I posted about it awhile ago if some of you recall. I took the advice of my BIL and SIL who are both speech pathologists and get down to his level, maintain eye contact with him, and listen to what he is trying to say. Both dh and I do this. We get frustrated in that he can't spit out these words, and that we can't finish his sentences for him, but we stick it out for his benefit. I was hoping by now this would have passed, but it hasn't and to me it only seems to get worse. I am watching for additional bahaviors which thankfully haven't happenned yet so I am trying to remain optimistic.

Since moving here, I have tried to get ds involved with stuff. We go to the park TWICE a day, attend preschool and socialize a few times a week with neighbor kids. He asks me on a daily basis (without exaggeration) "mommy do I have any friends?" it just breaks my heart. We had such a full life back in Pensacola. We had playgroups, neighborhood friends, preschool, there was always something going on so that he had something to look forward to. Here we just don't have that established yet. (key word: YET)

So today all the neighborhood boys happen to be outside when we were on our way to the park. We stop and introduce ourselves to the parents and all the kids venture into this one kids' yard. He had a sand box, yard toys, and a jungle gym. My ds went straight for the sand box while the other kids played together. When ds came over finally to play with them and to talk to them he kept tripping over his words and stuttering. Every time he went to say something he would get stuck on a word and not finish talking...the kids just turned away from him.

As a parent it was very ahrd to watch that. It meant nothing to ds, that I could see. He just continued to play with the other yard toys that were available....but there were KIDS HIS AGE THERE TO PLAY WITH AND HE WASN'T PLAYING WITH THEM. He has asked for friends since we got here and the one opportunity we've had so far to get him connected, he disconnected. I don't know if it was because he was more interested in the sand box or if it was because he felt slighted. He didn't try talking to them after that. So I really don't know what to think

My heart breaks for him. He's such a sweet kid. Well mannered and has good intentions (for the most part). The one thing I think that is holding him back is how he's tripping over his words.

When I drop him off on Tuesday at school I am going to check in with the teachers and see how they think things are going for him socially. I want to know if he has made any friends. When I ask him how his day goes, he never talks about any friends. I also want to know what they think about his stutter. They know what we've been dealing with and how we're working with him.

As a mom watching their child go through this, and just seeing the other two kids turn their back and then pair off and leaving him by himself, just breaks my heart.

Any moms out there that have experienced this?

I kinda have gone thru this with my son. He wasn't stuttering so much, but couldn't pronounce some of the sounds which made it hard for people to understand what he was saying. I took him to a Speech Therapist to get him evaluated when he was about 2, and they didn't think anything was wrong, and said it was age appropriate, and also said that if in the next 6 months I felt the same to bring him in again. Which I did, and again that said the same. Now he's 4 3/4 and he still has a hard time saying the 'k' and 'g' sounds, which they (speech therapist) had said will come later. He is able to say the 'l' sounds which he wasn't able to earlier.

Just for a piece of mind, I would take him for a evaluation. I'm not sure if this is nationwide, but it's a free service provided by the public school system until the age of 6 I believe. You might want to check into that. Or since you have Speech pathologist in the family, maybe talk to you BIL & SIL of what they think, and if there's anything you need to be worried about.

My youngest (almost 5) has trouble saying some of his letters and will really struggle getting a whole thought out sometimes. Like he'll start to say a sentence, get stuck and start again and again. I asked what the teacher thought at his kindergarten interview, thinking she would probably put him in speach, but she said it was an age thing and he would grow out of it. He'll be starting kindergarten in two weeks, so I will talk to the teacher then to see what she thinks. I sometimes tell him to stop, take a breath and think about what he wants to say. Usually when we do this, he is able to get that sentence out of there.

As far as the neighborhood kids, I would keep taking him there. Maybe it was just a "new kid" thing. I'll bet after a couple of times getting together they will all blend and be friends. It's so hard to see our little ones struggle. Big hugs to you both.

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The mighty oak started out as a nut that held its ground.

He did not stutter at all before June?? My 3 1/2 year old went through a bit of stuttering for a few months at about 2 1/2. We just would gently correct her word..and although I know it got frustrating for her (and us!), she would say it until she got it, and in about 6 months, the stuttering was gone. Since you have two speech pathologists in the family, they might can give you more one on one, but I have read that stuttering is one of the hardest things to overcome. When did you all move? Did the stuttering start before or after? Poor guy. About the friend issue, too....it will come. My dd was the same way a year ago. She was sort of in her own little world...enough so that I asked the dr. about it. She told me to give it time, and she was right. We now have her in preschool two days a week, and one day a week, she and a friend swap off going to each other's houses for the day. She is my social butterly...loves everyone and everyone loves her. He'll get there. Bless his and YOUR heart. I know you have got to be so worried. Hope you all settle in SOON. Moving is TOUGH.

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Shaking in my boots (well, if I was wearing them in the middle of summer!), but glad to be back!

I'm so sorry your little boy is having this trouble. My nephew started stuttering when he was 2 or 3 ( can't remember exactly). My SIL took him to the doctor and they said he would probably outgrow it, and he did. By the time he started kindergarten he was speaking fine. But we did notice that when he was nervous or scared his stuttering got worse. Considering that you just moved, maybe he is a little nervous, too. I hope it gets better with time. Good luck!

I'm so sorry you guys are going through this. It probably affected you more than him at this point. I agree; for peace of mind, check w/ your pediatrician to see if further eval us needed. Would it be possible, that next time you are out, that you are right with him for intros, and maybe just do a child at a time, not a whole group? That way, the child would be more likely not to go with the group and take the time to talk to yours. Also, you could help introduce and ask questions of the other child. 'Cause, then, yours may pipe in and start talking. Because mine has Aspergers, and is VERY social, he'll go up and start talking to kids, showing his toys, and kind of overwhelming them, so I know how heartbreaking and embarrassing it is - you are much more embarrassed for your child than for yourself - your heart lives outside your body. I know some people say to let them figure it out, but if a child has an issue, it takes time to figure it out, and if our suggestions don't work, they feel frustrated at themselves - we're the mommy, so we're always right, right (in their eyes)? When they're this young they sometimes need us. I found that after I helped break the ice, they would find something in common in that conversation, then off they go. Good luck to you.

My ds stuttered when he was 3 and 4. He is now 6 and only stutters when he is nervous or really excited. We didn't ask about it, just figured it was normal. My children also have a hard time socializing, at first. It takes them awhile to get warmed up to where they are at and the kids around them. It's getting easier now that the two oldest have started school. Also see if you can find some friends of your own with children your sons age and have them come over, that way you get to chat and your children will get to know each other. I have a friend with two children the same age as my 5 and 2 year olds. They come over( or we go over there) alot. The kids get along great(most of the time). Try not to focus on his speech too much because if that is your sole focus that's all he'll think about(although it is important to work with him on it) just make sure you empasize how wonderful he is and how special he is to you. Just boost his confidence. Anyway, good luck!
-C.

Poor Zach!!! That is breaking MY heart! I can't say I have any experience with stuttering, but very few people understand my middle child. However, kids never seem to have a problem and he is even more social than Zach. He came home from preschool the first day and told me he had made 100 friends! Zach will be fine. You are doing great by listening to what your bil and sil have adviced you to do. Just keep taking him to see the kids and they will get used to him and accept him and vice versa.

You guys just need to find your groove in Oklahoma, which I know you will.