How to help my step son who needs speech therapy to think for himself?

Question

I know he needs to learn and I am getting him speech therapy, but we have a Vsmile for extra help and fun in learning. He still asks for our help to do the simplest stuff. When we have told him how 100+ times to make it do what he wants it to do. I know repeating over and over is good, but its like it never sticks.

Answer 1

You don't say if his auditory comprehension is as affected as his speech, or if it is within normal limits. My bet would be on the former. If it is the case, he isn't ready for the concept of operating a vsmile; if he's functioning at a 36 month level, that's why it doesn't stick.

The best thing you can do to improve his comprehension and verbal language/speech skills is to INTERACT with him by doing a shared activity suitable for his mental/language age. Read a story which has lots of pictures. You can ask who, what, why, when and how questions and have him point and answer. For example, "who is Mickey Mouse's girlfriend? "Where did they go on a picnic?" "How did they get there?"

Playing together with cars, pirate hats, and other play that requires imagination will be very helpful. However, his progress will be best if he isn't parked in front of a TV or video game console. Language is dynamic and requires interaction with other humans in order to grow.

Answer 2

Teaching sign language is a very good idea because it gives him the same word 2 times every time you say it.  Visual cues can be so helpful for some children.  The website www.aslpro.com is great for learning because it has videos of many letters, words, and phrases.  Also the book The Joy of Signing is fantastic.  Good luck.

Answer 3

First of all Mom, reassure him gently, he can do this. If need be make it funtime and quiz him on the materials, so he responds. Make it fun, not torture. Second, not to keen on that Vsmile thing. What would be better is to sign up with a good speech path who can work with him. They will give you tips, ideas, materials. Sometimes the best approach is going right to the experts, letting them work thier magic. You don't say what sort of problem he has specifically, Many public schools have special ed teachers who will work with your son on his problems even in the summer and you can get tutors as well. Just be patient with him. If you get mad, it won't help him, at the same time don't baby him. Find a middle ground that works. He has to feel comfortable with what he is doing, so he develops self confidence. This is where speech paths come in. They work to build on that self confidence with your child. Good Luck.

Answer 4

Have you had his hearing checked??? Maybe he's just not ready yet. He doesn't necessarily NEED to be reading yet, all children develop at different rates. Just support him and let him blossom at his own pace. If he's asking for what you deem "the simplest stuff" maybe to him it's not the "simplest stuff."

Answer 5

I had the exact same problem. Still now, at 25 years old, a funky word will come out of my mouth once in a while.

Repetition is the key. Be sure to not show any signs of frustration or he will be too and quit trying.

Vsmile is nice, but I think he really needs his parents to sit down with him a few hours a day. If you have to, work on one, or a couple words at a time until he gets it, maybe even a little longer after he gets it so you know it sticks.

Answer 6

I would suggest possibly teaching him basic sign language. Maybe if he visually learns steps it would be easier to remember. Sign language is a great way to jumpstart the brain. It could help with the speech as well.

Another option would be to start a reward chart. Every time he does it without help give him a sticker when he gets to 10 stickers he can go to the dollar store and pick out 1 thing... or something like that...

The only problem is you didn't say how old he is. That can make all the difference in the technique you use.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Who ever told you that a child that is almost 5 has to read? You are going to have to repeat things more than you know at his young age. The vsmile is great however it is redoing what went on in speech that day is much more important. You can also get phonic reading books at any local book store. Keep in mind your child is very young and does not need to be pushed. Most children outgrow their speech problems. Please do not add unneeded pressure.