Hi...
Nicholas was non verbal until about 3, and that was when we hear his first real word..."up"...and "up up!"...because like Michelle, I would just offer him what I thought he needed until I got it right...once he was in EI and Building Blocks (ABA therapy) right before he was 3, I learned that I had to wait for him to tell me...soon I realized he could use his words, not many, to communicate...like UP when he wanted to be picked up or get out of his high chair or something like that, and MORE was the next word, although it sounded like "Muuuuuwwa!" He also learned to sign it...then came "all done" "the end" etc etc...then I noticed he was copying some things he heard on his tapes so I used it to my advantage and played along w/ him...he then could relate what he would learn from say ELMO about brushing hair to really brushing his hair...and would play w/ my hair and say "Haaaeeeaaa!"
It was a slow road, but never give up...now he is getting more verbal, and is 4 1/2 can say Mommy, Daddy...words that we waited 4 years to hear and brought us to tears...can say many phrases and uses them correctly and has at least 100 words...he sometimes still babbles and throws in a word or two or will say something similiar to what he means, like when we sneeze we always say God Bless you! and he will tell me if I sneeze, "buc guess you!" His version LOL...its still lots of patience and as long as they are communicated verbal or not, its good...sign language, and pecs and other means are so helpful too, I've found that the combo of all of them have helped NIcholas so much!
And to agree again w/ Michelle LOL, Echolalia is good, you sure can work w/ it, at least we've had some great luck w/ it.....even babbling and making sounds like vowel sounds is a good sign...best of luck to all! I will keep all our wonderful kids in my prayers...I always do!
hugs!
Ali
Luke is 27 mos, dx with PDD-NOS, and he started using words appropriately just within the past few weeks. Before then, he would very occasionally repeat words we said to him, but without knowing their meaning (I think). We're signing with him and will probably start trying PECS as well.
Dominic was considered non-verbal up until about 15 months ago or so. He was babbling and making words, but doing that echo thing from movies or commercials or whatever. Now, at 5 he never stops talking. lol. I love it.
He does okay conversationally with others, some of the time, though he's occasionally inappropriate, like asking total strangers to come over to his house... He's starting to express very limited emotions.. IE "I'm sooo sad". And he can express wants/needs and answer simple questions...but there's still quirks, too.
He talks to himself kind of a lot, or wants you to repeat a bunch of odd phrases that he tells you.. I.E. "Mom, say Yes Dommie Doodle" or "Mom say Warner Brothers Home Video Presents Dominic The Movie Rated G."
Again, he started with sign language around about age 2 and a half or so, for simple requests, like Help, Drink, Stop.. and then we went to PECS and the change has been -amazing-.
When I tell Jeffrey to do something, if he doesn't like it he has a simple phrase he says. "I aint buying that fairy tale" lol, it is cute.
Tammy
Lol that is SO cute.My son is a little over 3 and he has not spoken until recently. It has taken a lot of time and patience but well worth the effort. Hang in there. I hope and pray everything is going ok with you an yours
Just curious.My little one is still considered non-verbal but he is only 2. I too have the same concern and am interesting to hear what others have to say.
What is considered non-verbal exactly? Levi babbles a lot, but has very few words. He does say "ga-ga-ga-ga-ga-ga" in higher pitches each syllable when he is hungry.
Is non-verbal no words or not even babbling?
my son is 19 and non verbal. they gave him until he was 11 to decide that he would not talk at all. some develop language later. keep up with st and try and learn some other form of communicaton that he can use now.Mine says a few words but my severely autistic brother did not talk till he was 12 now at 38 you would have never guess that. . .
My son communicates his own way!
Well ds is only 2 now so not quite that old yet. He babbles and squeaks and grunts mostly. He has a couple words but he rarely uses them, especially in any form of context that is meaningful. If he is in an alert, mimicking mood he will repeat words we say that he knows. So like if I say "say puppy, say go..." he'll sometimes repeat.
He hasn't been dx'd yet. The online tests say anything from mild-moderate autism to moderate pdd so who knows. We are in middle of doing eval now. Luckily, thanks to my stepmom who has autistic son and made me aware of the possibility w/ my son (she noticed signs), we are catching this all early. We are hoping since he's still so young his progress will be good and he will talk soon. Even if it is echolia (he copies the tv and sound books) I'll even be happy with that.
He just started ST and is doing well. He doesn't look at her much but he watches her hands and mimics often and interacts well. Is your child in St or others? I wish you luck I know it's frustrating when your child won't tell you his/her needs.
Amber
Hi Amber,
Nick also was considered non-verbal when he started st.He was 23 mos old at the time and was evaluated at less than 8 mos on his comprehension and right at 10 mos on his verbal.He rarely said any words and of course he could not understand anything you said. His tantrums were frequent. After he began st, we immediately started him on sign language and to tell you the truth, I'm still amazed at how he could learn sign language so easily but had trouble even uttering a word.We introduced him to some simple signs in the beginning such as ..."eat".."drink" 'Please" and then eventually we tried "STOP" After that, he began to understand somewhat and the tantrums were becoming less frequent. Our whole family became involved and suddenly Nick started to socialize somewhat. Now granted, he still doesn't see his st as anyone but a person who hands him toys, but I think that in time he will eventually become verbal....even if it is only through sign language. And now, he does say some words, but nothing in any form of context... except for learning to communicate the basic need for food...lol
See ds's receptive isn't too bad. I think it was like 17mths and he is 2. He understands some things. Other times he doesn't, and sometimes I can't tell if he doesnt' know what I'm talking about or is just choosing to tune me out lol. But he understands when I say "get your blankey or pacifier" and "want food" or "want juice" and several other things. I feel that's a good thing as if his receptive isn't too bad then he will probably do ok learning the speech. Here's hoping!
Amber
Jakob is also non-verbal except for babbling. Have just started using some signs with him, he doesn't really seem to be "getting it" yet. I've been wondering about this lately myself. I'm interested in hearing from some of the parents of the older ones that did start talking. Like when their kids actually seemed to start understanding anything?My dd is 4 1/2..when she was 2 she didn't get it and she really didn't get it when she was 3. It wasn't until she started an intense (kind of
I can't even imagine a diagnosis of non-verbal with kids so young.
Tyler was pretty much non verbal until he was about 4. I don't know what the magic trick was.... He would always just scream for what he wanted.... I remember going through the cabinets or fridge pulling out each item until he grabbed for what he wanted. ALOT of consistency in first asking want juice? (pausing for answer) Yes? (short pause) or No? (pause for answer) Then later asking What? (pause for answer) I want..... (pausing for answer) Juice? (pausing for him to repeat juice as I stood with it in my hand) it took ALOT of patients and ALOT of consistency but eventually he became more and more verbal and now he doesn't stop when he wants to tell you about a particular pokemon or video game.
The other factor at the same time was thats about the same time when my ex husband left..... so he definately had total consistency but he also started meds for moods (frustration) and I'm wondering if it had an impact because I notice even today... when he gets over stimulated or anxious / frustrated he can't verbalize it. He stutters and takes long pauses to find his words and becomes self injurious out of the frustration. Echolalia, is a start to communication.... you can work with it or from it. Never give up hope.... speech can come at ANY time..... in the mean time find other forms of communication. Jeffrey was a little verbal up until the age of 2 1/2 to 3. Then he quit talking altogether. He didn't start talking again until the age of 7. Now he won't shutup, lol. I have a feeling I am gonna hate these teenage years. Especially after this weekend. But that is for another thread entirely. Tammy My son's are non verbal Matthew my 8 yr. old talked when he was 1-1/2 haven't heard a word since still have hope !!! My 3 yr. old is starting to say wawa and mama not clear but enough to understand.so he's on his way (I HOPE IT DON"T GO AWAY) Kathy
My Leo is non-verbal beyond babble.
Anybody whose child talked as late as 3,4 5 and beyond?
I sometimes resign myself to the fact that we may never hear leo speak,
but am looking for a little optimism.[/QUOTE]
wasn't talking by 5, then he wouldn't. Now she says that he could talk at
any time and they don't really believe that anymore. She has been
impressed with his ability to continue to gain "communication" of some
sort. He has some very difficult language (like he knows what he wants to
say but can't say it). He uses some sign language and PECS.
I have heard of several autistic/pdd nonverbals gaining language in teens
or as early adults. My hope is that my son's brain is spending all this time
unscrambling because DH just wants to hear him say, "Dad". (he says
mom when hurt or sick)...
Aleshamy son is 6 and non verbal. He understands everything, very nosey
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