Speech

In the midst of all the surgery planning and preparation, there is something very exciting to share.

For some time now, Zane’s brother has claimed that Zane repeats words. Sometimes words that are far more complex than ones would ever expect him to say. And since then, I’ve noticed Zane making sounds that resemble words, too—but not making much of it. But lately, Zane has clearly been repeating words. One example is “hi”. We say “hi” to Zane, and he immediately says it back. Not always. Mostly, when he feels like it. 

I mentioned it to Zane’s ST this past week, and she termed it echolalia: basically repeating or echoing what another person says. It is a normal part of language development, but can linger much longer in kiddos with developmental delays. In a typically-developing child, it would be seen around 18 months of age.

Today, I was reading a color book to Zane, simply entitled Colors. On each page is a color with the word and an accompanying picture.

“Red,” I said, letting him explore the picture of the raspberry and the texture on it—if he wanted.

I turned the page.

“Blue.” Immediately after I said the word, Zane said “boo.”

I praised him.

J walked in the room. I turned the page again. “Yellow,” I said.

Both J and I heard Zane say “Ellow.” We both praised him, a bit astounded by what we heard. In fact, I had to double-check with J to make sure he did, indeed, hear what I did. 

It is progress. Maybe not toward the communication program we had hoped for, but toward him actually speaking!  Of course, he’s quite a ways off from being able to communicate his needs (and we’re not sure how much of what he’s saying he actually understands), but wow! So cool!

A bit of brightness in the center of so much uncertainty.