Re: Vocal

[Guest guest]

,

My son is 6 and non verbal. He makes a lot of noises & several words that

I can understand but communicates via sign. As a baby is never put anything to

his mouth and did not babble at all. He was only noisey in the sense that he

cried a lot.

Tara, Joshy (6 - PMG)) & (4 1/2).

Vocal

Hi all,

I was just wondering how vocal your children WERE as babies,

especially those who have NO hearing impairment AND are non-verbal.

The reason I'm asking is that our son, Bradley, is 15 months old and

profoundly deaf but he is very vocal. Admittedly, he doesn't babble

like " normal " babies but he is very noisy.

He is to be assessed for a cochlear implant but I was just wondering -

if the implant works and given the fact that he is so vocal, do you

think that is an indication that he could progress on to talking or

did your hearing, non verbal child vocalise alot as a baby too?

Hope you understand what I'm getting at.

Best wishes.

Holly (3 yrs)

Bradley (15 months) - profoundly deaf, PMG

Reading, Berks, UK

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I am writing to you as a speech-language pathologist who has

worked with MANY non-verbal children and also several with cochlear

implants. Most of my non-verbal children are able to make sounds

(although they are not really speech sounds)--more like screeches

when happy and groans when not. If your child is babbling speech

sounds, that is excellent. Typically, deaf children will babble for

awhile, and then stop as they are not being " rewarded " for their

effort--they can't hear it, so it's not so fun anymore! My

experience with the cochlear implant has been mixed. I will tell

you that I have worked with children who seem as if they have been

hearing all their lives. They speak with very little

hypernasalilty, and excellent articulation. The only thing I have

seen them avoid is the telephone. There is an adaptor on the

implant for the phone, but the kids are preferring to IM each other

now! So, it works great (unless your goal of therapy is phone

conversations!) It has been my experience that the earlier they

have the implant, the better they do. They learn language and

speech right along with their peers--rather than playing catch-up.

I actually had a 16 year old get one a few years back. She rarely

uses it--preferring to read lips instead. It was just too much work

for her, and she was set in her ways. She is teh norm for older

children and adults. However, the success rate for children who

have them before the age of five is excellent! I feel it is

important to make that decision early on. I'm not sure what

the " rule " is for implantation age in the UK, but I would highly

recommend doing it as soon as possible if you are certain it is the

right decision for your son and your family. Is he currently

learning sign? Does he have a speech therapist now? These are

other things that I would definitely begin if not. Do not be afraid

that he will not learn to talk if he learns to sign--quite the

opposite is true.

Good luck to you!

Beth (mom to , 15 mos, and her identical twin sister, (in

heaven))

[Guest guest]

Hello,

Jake is 31/2 years old and also makes sounds such as da da, ba ba.

He is usually quiet throughout the day but will have moments when he

makes noises. Although we try to teach him to sign things

like " more " he still has not been able to do so. We do feel he

understands things that we say and hopefully will be able to

communicate in some way with us.

Does anyone find using pictures (communication board) to be

helpful? We are in the process of putting one together to see if he

can communicate better that way.

Thanks, Rita

[Guest guest]

Hello Rita,

I have just come home from holiday and found your message amongst the 40

new ones from the group ! It is always interesting catching up after a

few weeks.

My son Finlay is 3 since last week. He makes a lot of sounds (but no

definite babble) but can be very quiet for long periods. We are still

trying to make him copy sounds. Just now the only thing he will copy is

AAAHHH.

Finlay can sign for more and drink. He indicates things to us without

clearly defined signs. The signing will be difficult as his right hand

is not as mobile as the left and finger work is at the moment still too

much to ask for.

I had started a picture and symbol book last year, but got so bogged

down with other projects, I have not really finished it. It has some

family members in it and some of his outdoor toys.

I am having some trouble putting it together because I cannot determine

what is most important. One of my friends has a good communication book

for her son, but he is very interested in food and got it started that

way. The boy is now indicating quite complex matters through his

communication board at the age of 4 ½.

Finlay is not eating very well and is mostly tube fed just now. Showing

him pictures of food and drink will not get any reaction from him at

this time :-) !

One day I am sure I will get the brilliant idea that will get him

started on this communication board. He is bright enough, if only I

could find the subject he is most interested in!

Good luck with Jake.

Annelies & Barry

Finlay (3, BPP, Microcephaly), Gregor (5)

Re: Vocal

Hello,

Jake is 31/2 years old and also makes sounds such as da da, ba ba.

He is usually quiet throughout the day but will have moments when he

makes noises. Although we try to teach him to sign things

like " more " he still has not been able to do so. We do feel he

understands things that we say and hopefully will be able to

communicate in some way with us.

Does anyone find using pictures (communication board) to be

helpful? We are in the process of putting one together to see if he

can communicate better that way.

Thanks, Rita