Debina Bonnerjee takes 3.5 year old daughter to speech therapist; when to seek help

Debina Bonnerjee, a TV actress, took her 3.5-year-old daughter to a speech therapist. Bonnerjee explained that while children mispronounce words occasionally, constant misunderstandability may indicate a need for professional help. She emphasized that correcting a child's speech should aim to build confidence rather than lower it.

By around 3.5 years, unfamiliar listeners should generally comprehend most of what a child says. However, if a child's speech remains unclear, a speech-language therapist can determine if it's a normal part of development or requires intervention. Frontal lisp, normal up to age 4, but lateral lisp, which sounds "slushy," should be evaluated promptly.

Dr Nehal Shah, a pediatrician, advises parents to be patient, model the correct pronunciation, and not to pressure the child. Early speech therapy can help prevent poor oral-motor habits from developing later.