Re: and dynovox

[Guest guest]

I got to borrow a Dynavox from FAAST. My son will be 4 on June 2 so

he's younger than yours. Only one therapist where my son goes for OT

and ST has any training with these devices. After using it I

concluded it was probably for older children and adults. I personally

bought a GO Talk 4+. I program words on it for words my son cannot

say like " Yes " . His ST and I can understand him but others cannot.

(He still only has 4 words bt his approximations are better.) It is

frustrating. We're homeschoolers so there no one who needs to

understand my 4yo. That will change as he gets older and is in

enrichment activities. Hopefully time is just what your son needs

with regards to the Dynavox.

Sincerely,

Debra, homeschooling mom of 4 ages 10, 9, 7, and 4

>

> hi everyone and sherry,

> sherry i promised to keep you updated on the dynovox and .

> Long story short, he did not like it. He told the trainer " Take it

> back, i don't need it " of course in his apraxic speech. They

really

> know and understand him in school so they got it.

> I was extremely disappointed. He is not mature enough to

understand

> that it will help him the long run. He wanted to spell on it and

he

> can't spell yet. He did not like the voice output on it. most of

> all he did not like to use it with anyone and especially his

peers.

> Even though his peers loooved it. I thought the social thing would

be

> over rode by that the dynovox would help him express himself. He

> hates to look different, rightfully so, he already feels like an

> outcast with his speech.

> he is emotional boy, and i guess not being fully trained on the

> device and still had a long time to learn everything on it, it

wasn't

> fast enough for him to express what he wanted or his feelings.

What

> he was trained on wasn't sophiscated enough for him too. I guess it

> was baby language for him.

> They are not giving up on it yet. they said they would try next

year

> or when he starts 3rd or 4th grade. something has to give for him.

> He still behavioral but it gets less and less as he gets older but

it

> is still there. something has to be done for him to express

> himself. I get so scard when he gets older. boys " normally " get

> agressive and clam up when they hit puberty. so add puberty to

> severely affected child with apraxia?!? Don't know what I'll get a

> sociopath. (just kidding, a little sick humor)anyway as time goes

on

> and i still see such severe speech, i get so depressed and not

> hopeful about his future. will he be stuck and never lead a normal

> life on his own, get married, have children? OMG I know he is only

in

> 1st grade and I have a long time to think about these things. I

get

> so scard for his future and to be honest his mental health. I'm

> afraid he will just fall apart the more he gets older and more

> complex thoughts and be stuck in his head.

> Please tell me it will get better. I really need to hear some great

> success stories with older kids. kids who had SEVERE speech delays

> and overcame them.

> thanks always for your support

> chris

>