My five year old grandson has spina bifida and autism. His Mom and I have worked with him intensively, particularly while helping him with his medical procedures. Until this year, all he could do was sing. We taught him new songs constantly. He learned the verses quickly, remembered them, and sang in tune. He has realized that his singing is the bridge to speaking, which he wants to do very much. He struggles to get his point across, and sometimes invents his own expressions. For example, he had been here daily, having a wonderful time playing with Grandpa with a garden hose. Grandpa took a trip for a week, and our little guy missed him and came up with, “Why not Grandpa?”
He’s a creature of habit, so we mix it up a lot. If he expects me to select the song, I’ll tell him it’s his turn. He works very hard to convey the song he has in mind.
He has been in a developmental pre-school for three years, and is in a mixed kindergarten/first grade in the public school.
He can tell us his needs and choices. He can say I love you or thank you
in appropriate circumstances. He has an Alphie robot toy that helps with vocabulary, and gives him positive reinforcement if he answers questions correctly. The school is ordering him a communications board that will help him express himself. Years of constant effort are paying off. Keep at it!
Thanks for your comments. At first there was some discouragement (not from me, but others). I saw that he was physically healthy and had a nice disposition and I take things in stride, anyway.
But, everyone has gotten over the discouragement and we’re just keeping on track and doing what we can, while also letting him develop as he will, at his own pace. We’re not going to make him feel paranoid about “not doing some things”. He’ll get there when he wants to.