Our young man is doing great in most areas. He had a wicked virus this week which included ulcers on the back of his throat, which led to...you guessed it...challenges in eating. Anyone who has met us or read about us knows that when Luke stops eating, we all start to panic. It took us the better part of a year and half to put as much weight on him as we have, and we were not looking forward to weight loss or, God forbid, eating issues. However, so far so good. Despite a fever of 103 plus on occasion, he seems to be recovering nicely, ate his usual yogurt this morning with only minor complaints and is cheerful.
But that's not the next big hurdle. The next hurdle is figuring out what's going on with his speech. Luke still says next to nothing. His only regular words are More and Block. He understands hundreds of words at this point, if you ask "where's Luke's shirt, or Firetruck", he'll find them and bring them to you. He can distinguish between books "go bring me Pat The Bunny or Moo, Baa, LaLaLa, and he'll cheerfully oblige. It appears that his receptive language is up to par, but ask him to talk...nothing.
Our speech therapist has identified a few more things that are puzzling regarding his speech development. His drooling. He is no longer teething, but the drooling remains and moist and slimy constant. It has improved only marginally. However, our MD has ruled out cerebral palsy, and most of the scary reasons that kids don't speak. Cognitively, Luke appears to be just fine, and of course we think he is brilliant! :) Our physical therapist says that with most kids, the developmental saying is, "From the hips to the lips", meaning that a kid first starts walking and then the expressive language (talking) kicks in. Since Luke was truly delayed in all aspects of development, now that he is finally (and so proudly) walking, maybe his talking will emerge.
Anyway, next Friday, it's off to the neurologist. Our hope is that whatever he/she has to do to figure out what's up is non-invasive. Luke's been through so much, we really would like the next hurdle to be a less traumatic one for him...okay, and for us too.
What do we expect to hear? Not sure, but our speech therapist has hinted at Apraxia of Speech. Could be worse. We'll wait and find out before we attack it, but for those who wish to know more, here's a link.
http://www.apraxia-kids.org/
Luke has been an education. Sometmes it seems really unfair how some kids are dealt so many challenges and others just cruise through life with relative ease. But when we start to get angry, it's best to watch how Luke deals with it all.
If he can't speak, he might as well sing. (and wink)
7 comments:
I hope you are able to gain more insight after visiting the neurologist. Your PT is right....kids only master one thing at a time. Perhaps now that he is mobile, he'll turn his attention to words. :-) Our Abby did that too. It took a good year after she walked before she would attempt to speak instead of just grunt.
Luke has come so far. I am certain he can overcome this obstacle!
You have found the best site/resource if it is, indeed, apraxia. My little guy did not babble as an infant, and when he did start to speak he would use a word, then lose it, or mispronounce it so badly that the general public could not understand him. We never had the tests done to confirm it neurologically - but two separate speech therapists also were fairly certain it was apraxia - though mild and only as it related to speech. There are some great tips and resources on their site and in their newsletter. My little guy had an "explosion" when he did start speaking - and I pray the same for your Luke.
Anne,
My 9 year old who is at a 9th grade level in school, could not talk until she was almost 5 after a year of speech- I pray it is nothing and he is just smart as a wip!
Hugs
Carrie
Hi,
Cheryl and I like to follow your family. This post is particularly interested because our younger twin, Laura has speech apraxia. She also drools, although happily she is not now. It is frustrating and maddening, yet slow and steady, she is adding more and more words. Mostly slurred and sometimes not. She also has some gross motor problems, although they are resolving. If you want to compare notes, email us.
30 pounds gained in one summer...that is so great. It really sounds like between the walking, singing, engaging, he's making huge strides all at once. He'll overcome this apraxia, if that's what it turns out to be. I have complete faith that he'll be jabbering like crazy with his new baby sister.
Your love & fortitude is awe-inspiring.
Our little boy did the same thing. John drooled and there was no teething involved...slobber, slobber, slobber, drool, drool, drool. We could never figure out the cause and then one day it just disappeared and has not returned!! I love Lilah's room with her brother and am looking forward to your visit to China to bring home one more precious little one!!
he is just the most adorable little thing... honest to goodness. sigh... I just love him and his beautiful voice. You tell him to come and sing with me anytime!
Patricia
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