Is there still hope ?

Post Reply New Topic

That is all I am looking for - hope.

My son turned 5 a little while ago and is still not saying a word. He may occasionally combine sounds to form a real word but it is entirely random and not intentional. His receptive language ability is difficult to gauge, but is probably minimal, too.

In addition, his cognition is getting better, but not where it should be for a 5-yr-old. I guess I am just looking for feedback from anyone who developed language very late (not talking about just speech, but language and some form of communication), past the age of 5.

There are days that I think I should just accept that he is incapable of language and it breaks my heart to do that. But I also need to be really practical and the sooner I make peace with a possibly poor prognosis, the better for the both of us,

Do you think there is still any chance that he will develop language ? That he will ever improve, given his current functioning level at age 5 ? I am not asking for people to look into a crystal ball and predict the future, but just wanting to hear from people who had a similar profile at 5 but then went to becoming high to moderate functioning,

Thank you very very much for your time & feedback. Much appreciated !

I believe he can. There are several people who are members here who did not speak for years and then all of a sudden they started speaking. I did not have speech delays so I cannot speak from personal experience but I know that others here were in a similar situation as your son and did end up speaking. And even if he ends up being non verbal, there are some non verbal people here as well who are able to communicate much more eloquently and intelligently than I ever could. So even if it's not verbal, he may find his own ways to communicate that could be just as effective. But I do understand your concern. You have posted here before and I know how much you love your son and want him to do well. He will do well. Don't despair.

Big Hug

get him a dog or get him to a pet store and let him play with them for hour+ every day.

My parents tell me I was practically mute until they got me a puppy and then I wouldn't shut up talking to it.

That's funny!

http://www.facebook.com/carlysvoice

I think you should accept he does not have language. He has autism so language development may still occur, or it may not. But I think from what you've said that he needs every bit of his and your focus on supporting what communicating he is able to do and IMO this isn't giving up on him, it's being practical. It's hard to celebrate the small steps when you're yearning for big ones no matter how hard you try. There is a dwindling possibility and it is real, but life will go better if you can find what he does do to build on than by pinning your hope on what may not ever happen.

I'm not saying it can't. I'm saying people with autism need acceptance to thrive.

That's your best hope. It's ok to push for more, but I think you must accept. This is obviously just my opinion.

Edited to add: you sound like you are suffering a great deal with worry for your son. I am sorry. Do not give up on helping your child be the best person he can be and the happiest for him. Don't ever give up on that.

Yes there's hope. The puppy thing is a good idea.

Also, is he good at pointing? Tablets are great and may present for him an alternate way to communicate. They've been a great help to some on the autism spectrum.

I like the idea of getting him a puppy or maybe even a kitten.

error in posting

I have never had a dog but I have grown up with cats since I was a baby. I remember being very attached to my cats even when I was very tiny and they were my best friends growing up. We always had a Siamese cat and they were wonderful. Between the ages of two and four we had two of them. Then we moved overseas and we gave them to friends because we could not take them. Then after we moved we got one and we lived for 11 years. Then we got another one and he lived for 16 years. They took good care of me, very loving, caring and generous cats. Either pet, cat or dog, would be great. I wish I could have one now but our life circumstance at the moment makes it hard to have a pet. I really miss having a cat though. A pet that your son can love and touch and cuddle with is awesome. You should even think about an adult shelter pet. Sometimes that can be better than a baby since they are more delicate and if your child ends up enthralled with it a pokes and picks at it an adult dog or cat might handle that better. And if there is a place you can take your son where he can see and touch horses that would be fantastic as well. Of course at his age you and your husband will be the one doing all the work taking care of the pet so whatever works for you in that regard is best.

I have two friends who did not talk until they were 9. He may still develop language, he may not. Anything you can do to allow him to express himself and communicate in some way is good. I also have one completely non-verbal friend who in her teens took up typing. There is always hope.

if woud ever like to PM chat hismom please ask and will explain how it has been for self, am LFA,still non verbal with limited echolalic speech but have stil progressed far beyond what everyone expected and still continue to make progress.

if he is LFA he wont ever change to HFA as autistic functioning is medicaly based on general inteligence and how that impacts on the autism presentation,but being LFA doesnt mean non functioning or unable to get better.
lots of people who are non verbal [not mute] even as adults are high functioning as they dont have intelectual disability,it becomes easier to reassess in adulthood.

almost every member on here who says they are non verbal are not autistic non verbal by the medical/traditional term,theyre elective mute or become mute through stress,not having anything to say or socialisation,so its different to how son will experience it currently.

Hi HisMom. Having a non-verbal child is so heart breaking and scary. How can you know what he needs? How can he stay out of danger? It's terrifying. Have you ever taken him to get an AAC evaluation? I think the acronym stands for augmentative and adaptive communication. The speech therapist will introduce many computer based programs, usually based on pictures, and see which one he can navigate the best. Here in Boston, it consists of three 1-hour sessions. At the end, they will give you recommendations on which program to bring home, and how to work with your son on it. That way, he can begin to communicate with you. Research shows that a total communication approach is highly effective in helping children speak, so AAC might be a good option for you. Best regards, and good luck!