Speech development

I haven't posted about Blake's speech in a while, so I figured I'd fill you in...

First this is a slow process and we knew that going in. He is learning more and more signs and beginning to use the independently. He is also clearly saying more beginning sounds than ever. We are still working on /m/, /b/, /p/, /ee/, /oo/, /oh/ and /h/.

It is hard because he tries very hard, but still struggles to say the sounds correctly. We haven't had a chance to constant an ENT about his tongue, but that is on the top of the to-do list. We are now also working on using his upper lip... he doesn't round it when he makes sounds such as /oo/. We've noticed that he keeps it flat while drinking out of both a sippy cup or straw cup. Strange.. he does have the strength to use it correctly... now it's just a reteaching thing.

As for me... well I still struggle with trying to help him. I still struggle with trying to figure out what he needs to keep his frustration at bay. I still struggle with the feeling that I should have caught this earlier, I should have done something to eliminate this issue before it got to this point. But alas there is nothing I could have done, and nothing I can do now. We just take it one step at a time and realize that he is making progress... and he will get there.
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13 comments:

  1. Continued prayers on his speech! Sounds like some pretty decent progress there!

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  2. I'm glad he's making progress! And hopefully things will get easier soon. :)

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  3. Continuing to pray that you are able to guide him. It sounds like he making progress. It is nice that you are documenting the progression.

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  4. Yes, I can imagine everything must feel quite frustrating at times. But don't look back, you did do something about it and thinking about if you did something sooner won't help. He is making progress and that is exciting!

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  5. Don't beat yourself up, you had concerns and you followed your instinct. If you hadn't he wouldn't already be making such progress.

    In a couple of years you will look back and think, wow, look what Blake did!

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  6. Lori-
    Don't ever put yourself down for not doing something sooner. My girls were 4 almost 5 before they ever had speech. I always thought they would grow out of it, and I could figure out most of what they were trying to say, so it didn't bother me. It only became a problem with preschool, and others. They still struggle, but here in Maryland, if it does not impact their learning, they don't correct. Before it was impacting their learning (ie not saying endings, subsituting f for /p/, now it is just minor sounds (effects their spelling more than anything).
    It does talk time. There was a long time of nothing before....boom-everything just clicked.
    Keep at it and practice, practice, practice.

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  7. I think sometimes as teachers we are exceptionally hard on ourselves and our children when it comes to development and what we should/can be doing to help them be successful. I am finding that sometimes you just have to realize that kids are kids and they will all have their "struggle" no matter what we do. Whatever that "struggle" may be. You have and will continue to do whatever it takes to help him. You are being a great mommy. Don't stress yourself.

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  8. Any progress is a good thing!

    I know as a mom, we feel badly if we think we have dropped the ball. I know you haven't, look at all the work you are doing (with both kids)

    You are a great teacher for you kids.

    On a side note, Jillian said today as I was taking her to a hearing test. I am going to puke. (after smelling manure, while driving) Made me laugh, and just to think six mos ago she hardly spoke a word.

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  9. It is a process...it won't happen over night, and some of those little words he mispronounces you will miss so bad. But he will learn to create the sounds properly in no time. Keep up the work. So glad he is trying so hard.

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  10. it's always frustrating when they are trying to say something and you can't understand it. funny how we learn their language when noone else has a clue what they're saying though. glad he's making some progress..that's awesome!

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  11. It is always difficult when our children are frustrated. Don't be so hard on yourself. You have gotten him early intervention and he is maiking progress.

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  12. Brea has just started studdering on anything that starts with Mmmm.. Were working on that and it is so hard. I pray for you guys.

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