Will an older child's speech problems affect a younger sib?

[Malley]

My dh asked me this tonight. Our just turned 5 year old is on a 2 year old level for articulation and a 3 year old level for language. Our LO just turned 2, and he is talking really well, uses 4-5 word sentences.My dh is worried that the older one's poor articulation will rub off on him and wonders how to prevent it.

[sahm2shaina]

It's not something that can be "rubbed off" - we have 4 kids and only one with a speech disorder - each kids develops at their own rate :)

[Malley]

He is worried that the LO will pick up his incorrect way of speaking. He mimics everything big brother does, even uses the same expressions. I know he isn't going to have a speech disorder, but will he mimic the incorrect usage? For example, our 5 year old still says "Me" for "I" .

[beepbop1]

Actually siblings can imitate incorrect syntax (grammar) or articulation (sound errors) from older siblings HOWEVER this is usually attributed to a genetic predisposition (usually a family history of communication delay) rather than just simple modeling.  Therefore, if your 2 year old is already surpassing your older one in language it is highly unlikely that he/she would regress in that area.  If your 2 year old is exhibiting the same speech sound errors there may be a genetic pattern there, or it could be that at the age of 2 those misarticlations are in fact developmental but by the age of 5 are not.  Am I making sense here?  As for the simple "I/me" confusion...most two year olds do incorrectly use me and I so as long as you are modeling the correct use and your 2 year old continues to develeop language this will most likely reslove itself.

If you want to be sure about your 2 year old's development check out my blog Communication Station: Speech Therapy, PLLC titled "Is my Child Delayed?" at http://communicationstationspeechtx.blogspot.com/2012/07/is-my-child-delayed.html   you'll find a communication (language and hearing milestones) checklist as well as a graphic for typical articulation skills to determine if your child's current communication skills are developmental.

Also like me on facebook  at https://www.facebook.com/#!/CommunicationStationSpeechTherapyPllc to get FREE parent resources, educational information, tips, activities etc.  My goal is to help parents become their child's best communicator!

[nenedawn]

My 3yr has not had any effect at all on his lil brother who is 2 and talks like a champ