What words?

[sherrardk]

My nearly three year old has been to the speech therapist today and she has said that he actually can't talk as opposed to won't talk. Part of her plan is to sign some words to him and as his 'treatment' doesn't start for nearly three weeks I thought we should get started ASAP. What words would you consider to be the most important ones (think I might be too close to the problem to be able to have a clear idea of what they might be). Thanks.

[NOX]

Well anything that relates to his immediate needs would be good, my youngest son signed when he was smaller as he had some issues- so things to do with him needing food, drinks, going to the loo, being too hot or cold and wanting things etc as well as anything very familiar like the cat or dog, members of the family etc. Hope things go on alright.

[PipinHull]

Sorry if you've already mentioned this on another post, but has he never talked? If so, I imagine he must have already found ways of letting you know that he is hungry/thirsty, tired, happy, sad etc? Many children make up their own sign language when they cannot explain what they want. Perhaps think about what he has got frustrated about in the past - maybe around what he wants to eat or wear or watch on TV, and make up some signs to help? Good luck.

[sherrardk]

He already does some signing but I thought it was detrimental to his speech so I have not encouraged it. However, Mr Tumble is set to record from now on. Thanks for your answer.

[tamborine]

Cant talk, why ? Has the child got an older sibling that does the talking for him ? My 2nd son didn't talk till 3-4y and only grunted.

The therapist said I should ignore his grunts till he said yes/no or other words. He was found to be 'hard of hearing' but talks now.

[yinyang]

It's good that you're child is getting stated so young. My youngest twin was 7 before I could convince doctors / school that she wasn't going to grow out of her lisp and trouble producing certain sounds. She's just turned 9 and it's proving very difficult and frustrating to change her speech habits.

My advice would actually be to leave it to the Speech Therapist to decide what to do. I can understand you're champing at the bit to get started but for you to spend 3 weeks doing things one way, only to find she has a totally different method might be counter productive.They know what they're doing, whereas an parent might, with the best of intentions, be teaching them the wrong things.
At the end of every session with my girl I get brought in and told what they're working on and what they'd like me to practise with her during the week. They do their best to make it fun.

[sherrardk]

Thanks for your answers/comments.

Nox/pipinhill - he can say Flower (instead of his sister's proper name) and does some signing already to show what he wants.

Tamborine - he has recently been given the all clear regarding his hearing. He has four siblings, but they don't talk for him (as they have their own things that they are doing). The speech therapist said they don't know why some children don't talk, but it is like e talking 'switch' has not been switched on.

Yingyang - hope your daughter is getting on ok, it maddens me when doctors/school don't take the concerns of parents seriously. I have thought about what you said and I will wait for the speech therapist to get us going on the signing, don't want to confuse the boy.

[ljdksa]

Hi sherrardk, I agree. It's probably best to do the whole process in the way the Speech Therapist suggests. My youngest also saw one for a bad stutter and she talked it through with me and gave me things to practise at home with him. He has not stuttered since. Wish you best of luck with your little boy.

[ljdksa]

Just out of interest, as I think you're quite local to me, we have Speech Therapy "Drop-in Centres" every Thursday morning. Only for children between 2 and 4. Maybe there is one near you that you could take him to? They may give you some pointers before he starts.

[sherrardk]

Hi ljdska - the speech therapist mentioned this and then changed her mind to one-to-one sessions. He can be very shy and I have the problem of finding someone to mind his twin sister, but thanks for the information. (PS - we live just outside Hereford.)

[ljdksa]

Bless him. At least he has a name for his sister, which implies some speech is there. Hopefully they will give you a way to bring it out.

[whiskeryron]

I would suggest that you wait for therapist to start treatment,if you discover that your child does require teaching in signing, in order to avoid confusing the little one with different methods that you only teach him official British signing. Ron.
http://www.british-sign.co.uk/