I have an autistic 4yr old boy who isn't talking he has his own language and very few words any ideas?

Question

I have an autistic 4yr old boy who isn't talking he has his own language and very few words any ideas?

Answer 1

I agree that speech therapy and Applied Behavior Analysis services should be considered. An autism support group should be able to point you in the right direction for information on these services in your area. Speech therapy may also be available for your son through the public school system.

Here are some other resources that may be helpful:

Language-Building Activities for Students with Autism: http://www.positivelyautism.com/volume2i...

Christina Burk ABA: http://www.christinaburkaba.com/

Teaching Tips for Children and Adults with Autism: http://www.autism.org/temple/tips.html

Answer 2

We tried all the diets, and all the vitamins and supplements, nothing really helped. What helped our daughter was LOTS and lots of discrete trial training (relaxed ABA) and lots of floor time. We did speech therapy with someone who had seen kids with autism, and we also did occupational therapy, listening program.

It's a lot of work, but worth it as you see your child bloom. a lot just comes as they get older, it's a developmental DELAY after all. God bless,

Answer 3

OMG! i have a four year old brother who is the same way! we just don;t know if he is autistic yet. he barly knows any words and has his own language,too! you might have to do what we do and that is ask him if something is a color,and he has to answer it,hopefully knowing that it isn't that colot that you said. Then we also have to talk to him clearly and ask him to say it with us.He sometimes does not want to coaperate but you have to try your hardest.I hope you found this informative.

Answer 4

His lack of socialization cannot be attributed to any one thing until he is thoughly assessed. But let's say he has autism. What do you do?

137 scientists have recently discovered that autism is genetic in origin, so meds and diets are unlikely to work. Makers of glyco-nutrients in a recent ABC special in America admitted they do not work. Gluten-free diets have proven to work only for autistics with Celliac disease and gluten-intolerance, but they do not affect autism directly. Most other common methods, such as hyperbaric chambers and cheletion therapy don't work either.

In recent history, two autistic boys were killed during chelation therapy.

ABA in the Lovaas sense of the word is not good since it involves restraint and battery, although newer ABA methods seem to have become more moderate.

The only solution that appears to work is trying to interact with the autistic person on his or her level.

Autistics with slight andmoderate cases may communicate as much and as well as any non-autistic person, but those with the more severe forms may communicate only when they wish to make their needs met or may not WANT to communicate or may not be able to.

Forcing an autistic to speak does not seem humane in my opinion, but it is important to ascertain whether or not they are capable of communicating so that if they want to, they can.

I would suggest watching your son very closely. Look at how he talks and at what volume and at what speed. Begin talking to him as he talks, and he is more likely to take notice of you, which is at least a start.

Part of communication between severe autistics and non-autistic people has to do with trust. If they trust who they are communicating with, they will be more likely to respond when spoken to or make an attempt to make themselves understood.

But it should also be recognized that they may simply be incapable of communicating in a way that is familar to you.

Remember, there are more ways of communicating that just speaking. There is also handwriting and hand signals. Typing too. Yes, even a four year old can type, and you may want to introduce the typerwriter to him or her. You might be surprised to discover that your non-verbal autistic can read, even at the age of four.

Answer 5

Before you start stuffing him with stuff that even I as a Nurse of longstanding doesn't understand get him seen by a speech therapist and your Doctor. In the first instance stay away from the  'ologists' with 20 dollar degrees.Or in UK 20 dollar degrees

Answer 6

I agree with cocoabear,have him tested for food allergies.We saw a big improvement in language when giving my son Kirkman's SuperNuThera.His stomach did become sensitive to it and we switched to NuThera with P5P with good results. DMG helped him with sound sensitivity,which  effects language too.If possible,try and learn your son's language and then use it to work with him.

Go to www.autism.com It is the website for the Autism Research Institute in CA. It will give you lots of info on autism,treatments,like supplements,and much more.Good luck!

Answer 7

Get him into speech therapy right away.  Preferrably find a therapist or school that has experience with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).  Start small with your son.  Pick 2 or 3 of his favorite items and have him request those items by name before he has access to him.  For example if he likes his teddy bear hold up his teddy bear, say "teddy bear" have him repeat it (or as close as possible to the words) and then reward him by giving him the bear.  Give him lots of praise.  Your patience will be tested during this process!  Try websites such as austism-speaks.org or autismsociety.org.

Good luck!

Answer 8

Please before you start anything make sure you will have the support of early intervention-it worked for our son who is 7 and still can,t talk but relates better in a one on one enviroment.He is able to sign and is learning PECs at his local special school now in yr 2.He has various other severe behaviors such as headbutting,(thats his worst)he used to bite but doesn,t anymore and becomes frustrated most of the time.Its a hard slog ahead for u but just try to stay focused o.k.from one mum who cares for a child with disabilitys to another.Bye!

Answer 9

My son has autistic behaviors,he survived a stroke when he was 6 weeks old. Thor makes sounds but does not verbally talk,he uses American Sign Language(ASL) Try learning ASL and teaching your son ,he needs a way to communicate and express himself. The Picture Exchange Program is a good idea,my son wants nothing to do with that. If you want to try it,take pictures of him eating,tv,bed,whatever is  normal/routine in your home. Make a poster  and put in plain sight(like fridge) . At top of poster write Adam wants.... and read to him Adam wants then have him point to what he wants. Good luck Robin

Answer 10

He should be tested for food allergys.Also go gluten and casien free.Avoid artificial ingredients.Kirkman labs has special suppliments for autistic childrenShould try Super-nuthera,DMG,and essential fatty acids.Some autistic kids never talk.The sooner you start alternative therapy,the better chance you have.

Answer 11

i heard very interesting story recently. somebody in mine town have 4year old doughtier who did not speak at all, after all analysis little girl been told that she's was born autistic. her mum true some friends send girls DNA to england and after few months results come back. girls wasn't autistic just allergic on diary products. now girl is healthy and talking but can not have any diary products as that's is poison for her..its true story maybe just some products make your boy allergic on it.....good luck

ps. i have 40years old brother who is autistic and i know how difficult and hard can be handling those children and not be able always to help them. good luck!!

Answer 12

you need to put him on speech therapy. it's very common for autistic children to have their own words that we don't understand. this is because they isolated themselves from their surrounding and live in their own world. that explains their speaking capabilities which are also limited.

Answer 13

The fact that he is using language of any sort is something to celebrate. It shows that he has an interest in words and an interest in communicating. He just needs to be re directed now. I would suggest a speech and language therapist. P.E.Cs may also be useful but ensure you receive training from someone who really knows how it should be implemented. P.E.Cs is a visual way of learning new words. Children with autism tend to learn better visually rather than the spoken word. More information on Picture Exchange Communication System can be found on many sites. I wish you and your son well. I am sure he will get there. Best wishes. Be careful of A.B.A therapy, research has proven that once the child reaches the age of ten most of the language that has been learnt in an echolalic style is lost.