I want to hear my son say Mama

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Sign language was a very good tool for us too. I would add that it is important to keep in mind what will motivate your son. What does he like? Our daughters' "first word" was the sign word for "more". She really liked bubbles at the time. So we would blow bubbles and hand-over-hand help her sign for "more". while the other parent showed her the sign, all the while everyone of course verbalizing the word. After about two weeks of playing that game, she signed for more bubbles her self.

I know that it is hard, but I have to agree that hanging on to all of those milestone fantasies about your child in this case may be detrimental to his sense of self worth. These kids know when their parents are disappointed in them and I believe that may cause them to retreat further. My daughter didn't say "Mama" or "Daddy" until she was four. But she would toddle up to us several times a day with her arms open wide and a big smile just to be held. She would also give us things (marbles, scraps of paper, crayons, stuffed toys, rocks); toddle up, plop it in our hand, and triumphantly say "Peek Mah!" (whatever that meant, but it was a word as far as she was concerned), and smile or giggle and wander off when we said thank you, very proud of herself. She loved us and had her own ways of showing us how much we meant to her. I know that every child on the spectrum is different, but I'm willing to bet that your son may have his own way of trying to bond with you.

Woah there. I never said I was disappointed in my son, nor do I feel that way at all. He may not speak, but he is a very smart, loving an gifted little boy. I'm very proud of him, and he knows that. I'm not prodding him or pushing him, he receives positive reinforcement and encouragement. I don't think I'm living with my head in the clouds because I'm concerned by the fact that my son is missing developmental milestones. I think any good parent would and should show some concern. There's a difference between concern and disappointment.

I'm sorry if I was slapping my stuff on you when you don't deserve it. I see a a lot of parents who just want their kid to be normal and I get frustrated. My foul. I wasn't trying to step on your parenting skills and priorities. I apologize.

I did have a lot of people brush off my concerns and a lot of times, I felt guilty for even having them. Sam was such a sunshiny, cheerful baby-he didn't talk and he wasn't very coordinated but he was very social and friendly and outgoing-everyone remarked what a wonderful baby/toddler he was so saying anything like "I think there could be a problem" felt to me like I was being so ungrateful. The talking situation was tough though. I had those same thoughts..what if he never talks? It was really hard sometimes.

Later on when we took him to a neurologist when he was five I most definitely did feel brushed off. The doctor agreed Sam had fine motor skill delays but wouldn't agree that he needed occupational therapy-it was just like 'Hello? I'm the mom-I would know if there was a need for it!' I mean, he couldn't color pictures in class, couldn't write but he could read and spell, couldn't cut properly with scissors, could barely use feeding utensils, the teacher said he didn't interact with the other kids and didn't really seem to know how...the doctor basically said he could be a lot worse and sent us on our way. It was frustrating, and now that I live in a small town with a very poor school district, I don't know what kind of support we can get.

Hang in there though, you are on the right track. It is excellent that you are being more pro-active then I was. I am sure that he will talk in his own time but believe me, I know it's so hard to wait and not know when that time will be.

I had to tell you I ordered Signing Time tonight, the first DVD, after doing a lot of reading about it after your post. I'm looking forward to introducing my son to it. I wanted to say thanks I know he is torn between wanting to communicate and not wanting to talk (except for his own little language) so I am hoping this will bridge the communication gap and ease his frustrations while helping him learn.