Jackson was a late walker. It got to the point where every time someone called me the first thing out of their mouth was, "Is he walking yet?" I hated it because I strive to be the kind of mom that doesn't stress {too much} over things like that, the kind of mom who KNOWS that all kids develop at different rates and just because he doesn't do everything exactly when "the checklist" says that he should, doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with him. But getting worried looks and questions from people when I told them that he was still crawling just put more worry and stress in my heart.
So at 16 months, when he just got up one day and started RUNNING around the damn room {and hasn't stopped yet, I might add} I posted a video of him walking on Facebook. It was a little Here, now STFU and leave me alone, if you will.
But now, at 22 months, he still isn't speaking. And the worrying? it's back with a vengeance.
Sure, he babbles. He makes random noises. But none of that has turned in to actual words yet. He no longer mimics me. On a few rare occasions, he has said mama, but not regularly, not consistently.
He's gone to speech therapy twice a week for the last 6 months. He's already gone through 2 therapists, one who just up and left without giving us any notice whatsoever, and one who I'm pretty sure had no idea what she was doing. She would give me advice like, "Just talk to him more, maybe read to him more often." I'm pretty sure that if I read or talked to him any more then I would be plagued with a constant sore throat. And when I asked her if she thought he just had a speech delay or if it was something more serious (my eyes tearing up as I asked) she said, "No, babies this young aren't even supposed to be talking yet."
If that were true then why would he be in speech therapy? And why are all of the other kids Jackson's age (and younger) talking up a storm? So like I said, she had no clue what she was doing.
So after mounds of paperwork, hours of being put on hold and given new numbers to call, and weeks of waiting, we finally get a new speech therapist today. I've talked to a lot of other moms that have worked with her before, and they all say she is amazing.
Is there something truly wrong with Jackson? I don't know. I hope not, of course. I keep reminding myself that my husband didn't start talking until he was almost 3 and that is definitely a factor. But with each day of not speaking, the worry (mine) and frustration (both of ours, as he throws tantrums because he can't communicate) builds.
I can only hope that today might be the start of something good.
Monday, April 26, 2010
A new start
Posted by Cassie at 2:53 AM
Labels: milestones
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I used to work in the 1 yr old class at a daycare. While all the kids were progressing very rapidly there was 1 boy who never talked. I watched him turn 2...nothing. He would try but his words always fell short. Ball was always ba and it sounded kinda like gibberish. Anywho, he would be around 6 now and I've been told that he talks great now. Kids really do just learn at their own pace. I don't blame you for pursuing a speech therapist. I would too. I just wouldn't worry quite yet. Hang in there. He'll come along...in his own time.
Did you change your blog? It looks good.
I have a great feeling he'll soon have his words. No worries! By the way, this personal defense for women like us might interest you. Thanks and more power!
Shaun was a late talker and now won't ever shut up, he even talks in his sleep. He's also in speech therapy for other issues. As moms we worry but we also do what we have to keep our kids happy and safe and healthy.
Not like you need more advice, but have you had his ears & hearing checked? My son didn't talk much and when he did, it was incoherent. I had his hearing checked and it was "flat line" meaning he wasn't hearing anything. That was when he was nearly 2 years old. He's 6 now and is just beginning to speak well after tubes in his ears for 2.5 years and a year in speech therapy - I quit taking him after I realized they did nothing more than I was doing at home. Enunciate your words and he will follow. Be choosy when correcting his speech. There *is* hope. :) Luv to you - and I'm dropping by from SITS.
I hope so, too. Have a great day. Call me if you need to vent. Love you.
Thats funny how he just got up and started running! Love it!
With the speach... I would be worried too. But you are going in the right direction to get him some help, and to help calm your nerves. take care.
-Misty
good luck. i know it can be heartbreaking not knowing what's going on
Oh my goodness! He is way too young to be worrying about whether he is going to talk or not! Most of the time boys are later at talking than girls anyways. If he is understanding you when you talk to him, he will eventually talk back. Jacob just turned two and he says words but not very clearly and I am constantly telling him I do not know what he is saying. He gets frustrated too sometimes but he just keeps trying. Some kids talk early and some don't. But all kids learn to talk unless they can not hear. So if he is hearing you, then just relax and let him step into that next phase of life at his own pace. He will probably just start speaking in full paragraphs one day like he did with taking off running. The main concern is recognizing if he can hear you and understand what you are saying. That is all you need to find out. Because that is all that is necessary for him to learn to repeat language back. And you should be able to tell that by checking to see if he understands you by talking to him while you are not looking at him and see how he responds. I am so sorry that society makes you feel as if kids have to live up to standards that are just stupid. Jackson will be just fine!!! :)
So I am about to disagree with previous posters. Yes, he most likely will eventually catch up on his own but studies have shown that early intervention really does make a difference with speech and physical delays.
My son Xander is 15 months old and not talking. I get all sorts of advice from family members about not worrying and just waiting but that isn't the advice you'd get from specialists. Our pediatrician referred us to the group Parent to Parent (p2pusa.org), they did an initial screening in our home and now we have an evaluation set up through our school district. If that evaluation shows that he needs intervention then we will be sent on to speech therapists (as our school district is too small to have any on staff).
We've already had Xander's hearing tested and as much as they can tell at this age he hears fine. The initial screener recommended getting rid of his "soggy guy" (a doll he uses like a pacifier), she said that is the first thing therapists recommend is getting rid of anything that is in their mouths. So now he has soggy guy only in the crib and playpen, he handled that really well. Xander doesn't say any words, I would give anything to have him call me Mommy!
I understand the worry. I really do.
Ben was the same way. He barely spoke at all when he was two. At two and a half it was just a tiny bit. And then all of a sudden he took off. Now he is three and he NEVER SHUTS UP! People still have a hard time understanding some of what he is saying but we can really see his progress. The doctor thinks he is just fine.
I think it is probably the same with Jackson. Especially since your hubby was the same way as a boy. That is a HUGE part of it.
You are still doing the right thing taking him to a speech therapist. If for no other reason than to give you peace of mind. :)
My son didn't walk until 16 months either. And he doesn't talk. We took him to a speech therapist at 18 months who said he was developmentally "normal" and would eventually figure things out. She also said that doing a lot of tactile stuff with his hands (i.e., letting him get his hands dirty) can help speech develop.
Eli is 24 months now and says about 10 words, most of which are only identifiable my myself and his daddy. He is nowhere near where my daughter was at. I am not too worried, but yes, it would be nice to hear some more words come out of him (and less frustrated head banging!).
I'm going to send this to my sister. My nephew was also a late talker, but he is now 7 and can read and comprehend at a very high level! The kid is smart!
If your husband was a late talker, your son is just probably like Daddy.
My son too was a late walker (16 months) and a late talker. At 2 years old he was in speech therapy. The speech therapist had him drinking apple sauce and yogurt with a straw and using straws for other liquids more often to help strengthen the muscles in his mouth; shortly after that his speech progressed into something amazing!
He is now 9 and my little professor.
Your beautiful baby will progress at HIS own pace when he is ready. I wouldn't spend too much time worrying.
Good luck sweetie!
Thanks for that tip Jennifer. Xander has used a straw but only when we are out somewhere, I'll get some for at home.
It's hard not to worry! Motherhood sometimes is very much trial and error.
I imagine things will work out. My oldest went through a phase where he had trouble communicating..which you have figured out results in tantrums. We used sign language until his speech came.
He will get there. Some kids just take their time with these things.
I can remember my daughter (now 18) babbling until she was almost 3 with only some regular words thrown in there. We didn't have the ability to do speech therapy. But just so you know, now I can't shut her up!! :)
I know things will get better and I'm glad that you found a speech therapist that can ease some of your worry.
Hope this new therapist is helpful for you guys! Everybody knows a child that didn't talk until they were 3, then turned out fine. But, I would follow up with a hearing check. My son had frequent ear infections that delayed his speech a tad. Have you tried baby signing? That will help his frustrations. Oh, and my grandma would say...don't answer for him and anticipate all of his needs...make him indicate choices before you hand him something he wants, etc. Good luck!
It's so hard not to worry. All kids do stuff at different times. LOL back in the day they didn't have these Drs saying that they are late and such and look how our grandparents and parents turned out! Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment!!! I'm now following you!!!!
http://meandmineinasmalltown.blogspot.com/
Oh it IS so hard to not worry! When MageeBoy first started saying words they were clear as day and the older he gets the more they don't sound quite the same. I worry about his hearing and am going to get it tested.
My sister didn't speak a word until a little after 2 years(no mama/dada nothing) and then all of the sudden started speaking in sentences later.
I don't know I just say go with your gut feelings because you are your child's best advocate!
PS thanks for stopping by my blog. Got the big boy bed at WallyWorld(Walmart) for around $200 didn't include the matress. Not the best materials but looks good! :)
Goodness girl; that's a heavy burden to bear. What great Momma wouldn't worry about their child's development?
I'll be hoping this speech therapist knows her stuff and I'll be sending positive energy your way.
Keep your head up girl. Jackson is doing great!
Sounds like we are in the same boat! my son didn't walk until 15 months, and he still hasn't said any words (at 25 months). We have a hearing appointment on Monday.... We'll see!
I can completely relate! DS1 didn't start walking until 15 mos, and he started speech therapy at that time. He had a great therapist, but he didn't make much progress until he was accepted into a special education preschool at 2 1/2. He has made SUCH great progress! He still has a ways to go, but every child is different (my 2nd son has been saying 4 word sentences since 15 mos!).
I think what clicked w/DS1 was being in a classroom w/other kids and his wonderful teachers and the school's therapist.
Hopefully your son is just delayed as well (all the therapists talk about how boys are later "talkers" than girls), but no matter what happens I hope you can get the assistance you both need!
I can relate to the worrying! Marlee's doc. said she should be starting to run now, and she just turned 15 months old, and is just now getting the hang of walking like this week.
My sister's son went to speach, young too, and you wouldn't know that he didn't talk until he was 3 or maybe even a little older. (he's 6). I hope the new S.T. knows what she's doing!
My little brother didn't start talking until he was 3. He did speech therapy until he was 8-he is now an honors student in college & never shuts up! lol He'll get there! I'm stopin by from Friday Follow! I'm a new follower & can't wait to keep reading!
I hope this speech therapist brings good things for y'all. I'm sure Jackson is fine, but it's smart of you to stay on top of this. And of course as soon as he starts talking he'll give you something new to worry about. Darn kids! :)
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