I'm discouraged - my daughter isn't talking

[SLGIRL]

My daughter, Addie Mae. turned 3 in January.  She started homebased speech therapy at 16 months of age.  She stopped homebased speech therapy when she turned 3.  In all that time of therapy, she never said any oral words.  She started preschool at the public school right after her birthday.  She gets speech therapy there once a week for 20 minutes.   She gets PT/OT once  a month at  preschool.

We have been told that she has hypotonia, ataxia, possible apraxia & sensory issues.   Her hearing is good, she was just at her ENT last week & everything looked great.  She has had an MRI, an EEG and has had genetic bloodwork done twice & they didn't find anything genetic as a cause.

In the back of my mind, I wonder if she isn't autistic.  I have been told that she can't be autistic because she is too smart to be autistic.  Her aunt thinks she might be autistic also.  She works with special needs children. 

We have found a dr. in Kansas City, Missouri that specializes in children with speech disorders & we're going up there this summer to see if they have suggestions & can help. 

I get so discouraged, because I don't know what she wants & she gets frustrated because we don't know what she wants. 

Any suggestions are welcome.

[peasntatersmom]

Hi!  :0)

I know about this frustration all too well.  I think above all else, lack of communication is our biggest obstacle.  My son has been receiving speech therapy for 4+ years now; still not even one word.  He used to sign a little..eat, drink, more (sort of).  I know he understands when I sign to him, but will not sign back.  *sigh*

We have pictures of some of his needs on the refrigerator, inside those 5x7 magnetic picture pockets you can buy at Wal-Mart.  A pic of his cup for "drink", a pic of his booster seat and his favorite meal for "eat", and a pic of the bathtub for "bath".  He doesn't use these as often as I would like, but it is an idea that may work well for your daughter.  Have you tried signing and pictures?  Is she able to understand to communicate by shaking her head "yes" and "no"?  Even that would help I think...

Please let us know how things are going!

~ HUGS ~

[singlemomme2jj]

Hang in there!!!  Your daughter sounds a lot like my son... hypotonia, ataxia, apraxia, sensory issues (avoiding, not seeking sensory input).  He also has dysmorphia, microcephaly, and motor delays.  He is 4.5 and just starting to talk.  It's so exciting!  Take one day at a time and celebrate the tiny successes.  Sometimes we don't notice growth, too, because we're there on a day to day basis.  Go visit friends and relatives you haven't seen for a while and let them fill you up with the progress they're seeing.

;) Tammy

[caremare]

My son, Thomas will be 4 in May and only says Mama. He seems to understand a lot but just can not talk. I teach him sign language and it has made a ton of difference. He wil even go get the book if he wants to learn a sign for a word.

I did not know sign language before Thomas, but I bought a good book and off we went.

I have troubles with others even the school, no one seems to learn with him and many of his signs are not exact just like when you as mom know what your littles are saying but no one else understands them.

It does not matter to me--he can now communicate with at least one person---his mom and we are thrieving on it!

Carol

[Mesofrog]

I too can understand.  Are child who is not yet 3 is still not talking.  She some time talks.  She Has TSC (Tuberous Sclerosis complex).  She was talking on time but then started having event's (seizures) and she lost the skill.  We are now working are way to it with not much advancement.  We are trying to get her to talk so we can have a bit more silk in are liefs but it's going no where.  But they gave me this saying about children who can talk.  I want to share this with you.

I am the child who cannot talk. You often pity me: I see it in your eyes.  You wonder how much I am aware of. I see that as well.I am aware of much whether you are happy or sad or fearful. Patient or impatient. Full of love and desire, or if you are just doing your duty by me. I marvel at your frustration. Knowing mine to be far greater, for I cannot express myself nor my needs as you do. You cannot conceive my isolation: so complete is it at times. I do not give you answers to your everyday questions. Responses over my well being, Sharing my needs, or comments about the world around me.  I do not give you rewards as defined by the world's standards. Great strides in development that you can credit yourself: I do not give  you understanding. As you know it. What I give you is much more valuable. I give you instead opportunities. opportunities to discover the depth of your character, not mine: The depth of your love.  your commitment, your patience, your abilities: I drive you father then you would ever go on your own, working harder, answers. I am the child who cannot talk.

The first time I read this I cried and it allowed me to understand that their are thing's she does know and can know.  Hope this helps you!

[courtneycmp]

My daughter wasnt talking so we decided to teach her sign language- it opened up a whole new world of communication for us.  We use Signing Times by rachel Coleman I cannot say enough about it I tis the best series of videos ever.

[peasntatersmom]

Quoting courtneycmp:

My daughter wasnt talking so we decided to teach her sign language- it opened up a whole new world of communication for us.  We use Signing Times by rachel Coleman I cannot say enough about it I tis the best series of videos ever.

thanks for sharing this!!  :)

[KyMom6751]

I would look into trying to get more speech therapy through the school and/or through your insurance.  20 minutes a week doesn't sound like enough.  I'm also in the same boat wih you, my son will turn 3 in January and has only a few words.