My young friend is talking now! / myLot

@TheHorse (205607)

Walnut Creek, California

January 18, 2018 9:22am CST

Some of you may remember that I talked about a young friend of mine at the preschool who had "expressive aphasia," meaning that he could understand everything, but didn't really talk. I don't see him as much this year, because he's with the younger children, and I'm working with the older children this year. But yesterday, he asked me to build a wall with him on the "bike path." He said my name clearly, and used many words to express what he wanted. Speaking with him is still like playing "charades" sometimes, but he's making progress. Maybe I'll bring my camera in today and try to get a more recent picture.

17 people like this

20 responses

Alfredo Rossi

@amadeo (111948)

• United States

18 Jan 18

My daughter was very late in speaking.She finally came around.Not sure why her speaking voice was later. Now you cannot shut her up

4 people like this

Alfredo Rossi

@amadeo (111948)

• United States

18 Jan 18

@thehousewife that is for sure.

The Horse

@TheHorse (205607)

• Walnut Creek, California

19 Jan 18

Heh. Maybe my young friend will turn out to be talkative. He certainly is social and loved communicating with others.

M.-L.

@MALUSE (69413)

• Germany

18 Jan 18

Does he have speech therapy or are people just waiting for him to speak one day?

2 people like this

M.-L.

@MALUSE (69413)

• Germany

18 Jan 18

@thehousewife In my house lives a family with four children. Three of them had severe speech problems when growing up. They went to a special school and obviously had good speech therapists. They all learnt to speak perfectly.

1 person likes this

The Horse

@TheHorse (205607)

• Walnut Creek, California

19 Jan 18

He does have a speech therapist. I'm not sure about how she works with him.

The Horse

@TheHorse (205607)

• Walnut Creek, California

19 Jan 18

@thehousewife How old is he now, and how is his speech?

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Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (305885)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

19 Jan 18

That's great progress!

1 person likes this

The Horse

@TheHorse (205607)

• Walnut Creek, California

20 Jan 18

He and I had planned to do some more digging and building today, but he "slept in" during nap time, and I didn't get to see him in the afternoon.

1 person likes this

Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (305885)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

21 Jan 18

@TheHorse

1 person likes this

The Horse

@TheHorse (205607)

• Walnut Creek, California

21 Jan 18

@just4him I'll see him next week. He knows he's my buddy and that I like building stuff with him.

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josefina

@josie_ (9763)

• Philippines

19 Jan 18

Clearly you made an impact on him since he chose you to help him build a wall. Hope he does not end up with a Trump fixation on border walls. Now Trump is one older "kid" you might consider working with.

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The Horse

@TheHorse (205607)

• Walnut Creek, California

19 Jan 18

I'm a sucker for "cuteness," and Trump is not cute. Bleech.

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The Horse

@TheHorse (205607)

• Walnut Creek, California

20 Jan 18

@josie_ As long as investigations continue, I'm OK.

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josefina

@josie_ (9763)

• Philippines

20 Jan 18

@TheHorse

Trump is more of an "acute" problem that seem to have no solution.

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April

@thislittlepennyearns (58119)

• Defuniak Springs, Florida

18 Jan 18

Some kids just don't start talking till later.How old is he now?

2 people like this

The Horse

@TheHorse (205607)

• Walnut Creek, California

19 Jan 18

I believe he's just over 3-years-old.

April

@thislittlepennyearns (58119)

• Defuniak Springs, Florida

21 Jan 18

@TheHorse Ah, well then he might just be a little behind. Or he just didn't have a whole lot to say. My best friend in highschool didn't really talk till he was four. But he had older sisters, so he really didn't have enough space to say anything lol. Glad he's talking now!

Robin

@Daelii (5619)

• United States

18 Jan 18

he is adorable! thats awesome growth for him! all kids develop at their own pace

2 people like this

The Horse

@TheHorse (205607)

• Walnut Creek, California

19 Jan 18

That is so true!

celticeagle

@celticeagle (158876)

• Boise, Idaho

19 Jan 18

I had a speech therapist when I was in grade school. It's more common than most think.

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celticeagle

@celticeagle (158876)

• Boise, Idaho

19 Jan 18

@TheHorse .....It did help. It was nearly sixty years ago so I don't remember the techniques used. I do recall we played games.

The Horse

@TheHorse (205607)

• Walnut Creek, California

19 Jan 18

Did it help you? Was it "fun"? What kind of techniques did the speech therapist use?

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Belle Starr (Iz)

@BelleStarr (61047)

• United States

19 Jan 18

My brother was more than three before he said his first word, it was by the way "hotdog" lol He is still a man of few words. Your young friend is a real cutie!!

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Belle Starr (Iz)

@BelleStarr (61047)

• United States

20 Jan 18

@TheHorse lol Only a specific brand from Connecticut which he takes home to Georgia everytime he visits. lol

The Horse

@TheHorse (205607)

• Walnut Creek, California

20 Jan 18

Does he still like hot dogs?

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Anna

@LadyDuck (457918)

• Switzerland

18 Jan 18

He still gets help to learn to speak, or he is now on his own?

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Anna

@LadyDuck (457918)

• Switzerland

19 Jan 18

@TheHorse I am glad he is receiving help, it is important. The young daughter of one of my cousin has the same speech problem.

The Horse

@TheHorse (205607)

• Walnut Creek, California

19 Jan 18

I believe he still has a speech therapist, an both of his parents are very involved.

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DianneN

@DianneN (246603)

• United States

18 Jan 18

That's so great to hear! What an adorable little boy he is. I love his hair! Is he getting help from a speech therapist? Many children suddenly burst out yapping after years of expressive aphasia. My son's little friend went through the same thing. Now he's an attorney.

1 person likes this

The Horse

@TheHorse (205607)

• Walnut Creek, California

19 Jan 18

I predict this little guy is going to be an engineer. He and I made a "dam" in the sand today, and he made it clear that I was to scoop out the sand on one side, and he was to scoop out the sand on the other side.

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DianneN

@DianneN (246603)

• United States

19 Jan 18

@TheHorse That's so cute!

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The Horse

@TheHorse (205607)

• Walnut Creek, California

19 Jan 18

@DianneN This kid is adorable. And he and I are good buds. When I heard him say my name clearly the other day, it really warmed my heart.

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (325594)

• Rockingham, Australia

18 Jan 18

That's really good news. I remember reading about this little lad in previous discussions.

1 person likes this

The Horse

@TheHorse (205607)

• Walnut Creek, California

19 Jan 18

He's a delight. Today, he and I built a "dam" of sorts in the sand. He was able to express what he wanted me to do quite well, though he uses mostly short utterances.

1 person likes this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (325594)

• Rockingham, Australia

19 Jan 18

@TheHorse Do you have any worries that he won't end up totally 'normal' (whatever that may be)?

Angie

@andriaperry (116860)

• Anniston, Alabama

19 Jan 18

That is wonderful! I know it makes your heart happy.

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The Horse

@TheHorse (205607)

• Walnut Creek, California

19 Jan 18

It really does. I love hearing him say my name.

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Hanni Harel

@Hannihar (129388)

• Israel

19 Jan 18

He is cute. What happened that he just started to talk?

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The Horse

@TheHorse (205607)

• Walnut Creek, California

19 Jan 18

It's been a gradual process.

The Horse

@TheHorse (205607)

• Walnut Creek, California

21 Jan 18

@Hannihar I'm not sure what leads to some kids understanding but not producing spoken language. I'm glad he's moving forward.

Hanni Harel

@Hannihar (129388)

• Israel

21 Jan 18

@TheHorse The poor kid. What happened to him that he did not talk. Did he talk and then stopped or what The Horse? I am glad he is coming around now. You are a good influence.

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Yehezkiel Ronaldo Botu

@Dirren_Ronaldo (291)

• Yogyakarta, Indonesia

20 Jan 18

hahahah... yaa... that is so good, to see how our family learn about something..

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The Horse

@TheHorse (205607)

• Walnut Creek, California

20 Jan 18

I enjoy watching kids learn. It's funny when they use phrases that I accidentally taught them.

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The Horse

@TheHorse (205607)

• Walnut Creek, California

21 Jan 18

@Dirren_Ronaldo Hope you enjoy your kids! They are a lot of fun.

Yehezkiel Ronaldo Botu

@Dirren_Ronaldo (291)

• Yogyakarta, Indonesia

21 Jan 18

@TheHorse ahahahha... it makes me want to have children faster... hahahaha... i am just 19 years old.. hahahaha

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Patsie Hatley

@Hatley (163781)

• Garden Grove, California

19 Jan 18

tyhat is sotyriigtoi have that reak through heissouct allcurlyhair verysober faceojave agreatjob betui lovet too IL thjijkI woud have

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The Horse

@TheHorse (205607)

• Walnut Creek, California

19 Jan 18

He and I have a great time together. I can't help but run my fingers through his curly hair now and then.

aubrey

@averygirl72 (37716)

• Philippines

19 Jan 18

The child is cute. Glad to hear he is making progress

1 person likes this

The Horse

@TheHorse (205607)

• Walnut Creek, California

20 Jan 18

He's a smart kid. I'm glad he enjoying doing things with his peers. It's amazing how they understand his speech limitations, but still interact with him in a positive way.