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Language -- incorrect use
Okay, my daughter finally used her first word(s) spontaneously. She has said a bunch of words, but only repeating and then never saying them again. Unfortunately because of Baby Einstein, Baby Babble, Baby BumbleBee, Bee Smart Baby, and Baby ABCs, she thinks the word Baby means watching her videos. So when she wants a video, she now started saying "Baby please" and does the bambi eyes up at me and waits (we have video once per day only after lunch so a lot of times I will say no but at least we are having a conversation). So, we have been trying to correct her definition of what baby means by showing her pictures of babies, the fisher price little people baby in the house, saying "mommy, daddy, baby" and holding up the people. Unfortunately it just upsets her because it reminds her that she wants a video. Do we just let her go on thinking baby means one of her videos? Or say, you want a Baby Einstein video or Baby Bumblebee video? And clarify that way? Tantrums are another issue, and well, we've entered the terrible twos, and without having communication developed, it's been a bit rough going, plus she's got a majorly strong will that has amazed one of the therapists one day she decided to have a fit during therapy. So, I'm exhausted trying to reteach her what baby means since every time I try she throws a tantrum and wants the TV, and I will not give in to her TV demands.
I don't know what way of thinking is normal, either. It must be one of the great questions of life.
I've been pondering that even as a kid. I find it amazing how I can remember some of my thought processes as a child. I don't only think in pictures and words, but as movies. I'd see something animated in my head, which I'd sometimes find amusing. This would cause me to laugh at weird times. Even to this day I still see "movies" generated in my head. Not only that, but I can minipulate them as well. It works really great when writing my stories. I can imagine the characters, animate them, and imagine what their voices sound like. I can even generate smells and sensations on occasion with my movies. I can't describe my thought process to someone not thinking this way. Best I can say is it is like recalling a memory, sometimes particular vivid one. I can remember fragments of dreams like memories too, though somehow I seem to know they came from dreams. But if it is a particularly old dream, distinguishing it as a dream rather than a memory could possibly get blurry. One such experience was remembering trying to get out of my room and feeling like the whole house was pulling me back as if it was tipping over. I seem to remember it as if it happened, but I think such a thing may have been a dream or SP episode that I had as a 5 year old.
Interestingly enough it seems I can't do eye contact with my characters in my head, either... I'm trying to work on that though. It’d be nice to see their eyes. I don't know how I manage to draw out their expressions. Perhaps with expressions I just see quick flashes.
In a way perhaps I have the best of both worlds, being able to think in images, movies, sounds, and words. But at the same time, it can be awfully distracting. It is hard for me to turn off that mental clutter when trying to listen to a conversation such as a meeting. If there are posters, knick-knacks, background noise, and what not, no wonder why I come out hardly remembering a thing...
I've been pondering that even as a kid. I find it amazing how I can remember some of my thought processes as a child. I don't only think in pictures and words, but as movies. I'd see something animated in my head, which I'd sometimes find amusing. This would cause me to laugh at weird times. Even to this day I still see "movies" generated in my head. Not only that, but I can minipulate them as well. It works really great when writing my stories. I can imagine the characters, animate them, and imagine what their voices sound like. I can even generate smells and sensations on occasion with my movies. I can't describe my thought process to someone not thinking this way. Best I can say is it is like recalling a memory, sometimes particular vivid one. I can remember fragments of dreams like memories too, though somehow I seem to know they came from dreams. But if it is a particularly old dream, distinguishing it as a dream rather than a memory could possibly get blurry. One such experience was remembering trying to get out of my room and feeling like the whole house was pulling me back as if it was tipping over. I seem to remember it as if it happened, but I think such a thing may have been a dream or SP episode that I had as a 5 year old.
Interestingly enough it seems I can't do eye contact with my characters in my head, either... I'm trying to work on that though. It’d be nice to see their eyes. I don't know how I manage to draw out their expressions. Perhaps with expressions I just see quick flashes.
In a way perhaps I have the best of both worlds, being able to think in images, movies, sounds, and words. But at the same time, it can be awfully distracting. It is hard for me to turn off that mental clutter when trying to listen to a conversation such as a meeting. If there are posters, knick-knacks, background noise, and what not, no wonder why I come out hardly remembering a thing...
MJIthewriter,
Man, you have amazing memory. I can understand why you would think you were 3 or 4, because if your memory was so vivid you probably would have thought you were older.
I am I guess a neurotypical adult (is that the right word?). I have some sensory issues, but the rest I guess is typical. But, I think in almost entirely visual images, so sometimes I accidently say the wrong word and then people wonder what I am talking about especially if it's the opposite word from what I intended. My husband thinks I'm nuts because he thinks entirely in words, but then I think he's nuts, so we're even. :) For me, thinking in pictures and feelings and emotions, I am able to learn other languages pretty easily for some reason. But, then, my husband who can't do foreign languages much at all is quite versed in the English language and throws out lots of words I can never remember what they mean, especially the more philosophical words that don't have a visual or emotional connection to them. And then you hear words like zeitgeist come out of his mouth that have foreign derivations, and man, well, my husband is like this walking dictionary and encyclopedia with a photographic memory. I don't talk in my head, but I think pictures in my head. My husband talks in his head... and lots of times he starts muttering very softly or moving his lips. And it's kind of funny because my hearing is really really hypersensitive (I can hear whispers downstairs from upstairs), so I hear my husband "muttering" to himself a lot when no one else can hear. I think it's really cute. He thinks it's frustrating that I know what's going on in his mind a lot and sometimes he doesn't realize it, and he thinks I've read his mind. LOL....
I don't know what way of thinking is normal. As kids, we all must have thought more in pictures when we were babies and toddlers. Don't know at what point some people convert to words. Would be interesting study of language and thought development. Or maybe they already have that answered.
Man, you have amazing memory. I can understand why you would think you were 3 or 4, because if your memory was so vivid you probably would have thought you were older.
I am I guess a neurotypical adult (is that the right word?). I have some sensory issues, but the rest I guess is typical. But, I think in almost entirely visual images, so sometimes I accidently say the wrong word and then people wonder what I am talking about especially if it's the opposite word from what I intended. My husband thinks I'm nuts because he thinks entirely in words, but then I think he's nuts, so we're even. :) For me, thinking in pictures and feelings and emotions, I am able to learn other languages pretty easily for some reason. But, then, my husband who can't do foreign languages much at all is quite versed in the English language and throws out lots of words I can never remember what they mean, especially the more philosophical words that don't have a visual or emotional connection to them. And then you hear words like zeitgeist come out of his mouth that have foreign derivations, and man, well, my husband is like this walking dictionary and encyclopedia with a photographic memory. I don't talk in my head, but I think pictures in my head. My husband talks in his head... and lots of times he starts muttering very softly or moving his lips. And it's kind of funny because my hearing is really really hypersensitive (I can hear whispers downstairs from upstairs), so I hear my husband "muttering" to himself a lot when no one else can hear. I think it's really cute. He thinks it's frustrating that I know what's going on in his mind a lot and sometimes he doesn't realize it, and he thinks I've read his mind. LOL....
I don't know what way of thinking is normal. As kids, we all must have thought more in pictures when we were babies and toddlers. Don't know at what point some people convert to words. Would be interesting study of language and thought development. Or maybe they already have that answered.
I also remember trying to demonstrate to my parents how easy it was to crawl onto the mattress.. "See? See? Easier." It was something along those lines. I guess I must had been thinking it all along. No wonder my parents didn't budge.
I still do talk in my head. I read that way too, speaking the words in my head. I remember as a child I'd think in a combination of visual images and verbal words. Sometimes I'd try to speak aloud what I was thinking to hear it. I still do that to some extent. It would be very interesting to see if other autistics have similar memories as me.
I still do talk in my head. I read that way too, speaking the words in my head. I remember as a child I'd think in a combination of visual images and verbal words. Sometimes I'd try to speak aloud what I was thinking to hear it. I still do that to some extent. It would be very interesting to see if other autistics have similar memories as me.
I thought I was 3 or 4, but then again, what do I know? I have the memory and can replay it over in my head almost as if I remember it happening recently. It was quite startling for me to push at the crib wall and then all of a sudden find myself falling forward. I clung on for dear life. I don't think I knew what to expect. It made a crash sound and I think that's what caused my parents to come gushing into my room. I wasn't hurt at all as far as I remember. I have other memories being in my crib before it broke. I'd drape one of my blankets over the top to make some kind of dark inclosed space. I also had colorful pastic toys of some sort. I can't remember. I think I had a cluttered crib, either that or liked to have a lot of stuff in it. I don't remember the logic behind every one of my games, but I'm sure I did, which probably mystified my parents.
MJIthewriter, wow, you have an excellent memory from when you were 2. That's really neat.
I see my daughter trying to mouth words (when she hears me saying them) without saying them herself, just moving her mouth. I am wondering if she thinks she's actually saying them. Or maybe she thinks things and thinks she said them too. Too bad humans can't be telepathic. We'd all be set then wouldn't we? Maybe I've been watching too many reruns of Star Trek TNG, with Deana Troi. :)
I see my daughter trying to mouth words (when she hears me saying them) without saying them herself, just moving her mouth. I am wondering if she thinks she's actually saying them. Or maybe she thinks things and thinks she said them too. Too bad humans can't be telepathic. We'd all be set then wouldn't we? Maybe I've been watching too many reruns of Star Trek TNG, with Deana Troi. :)
I didn't realize she was communicating with signs. That's also great just be sure to always pair them with the words.
chikp- I understand what you mean about the carrier phrases. Are you a SLP? I know they aren't big on that. I also agree with you that once she is requesting lots of things you can teach her to say, " I want" or "give me". I wouldn't just stick with one carrier phrase. However, if she was 2 1/2 and saying "I want jumping" or requesting anything that would be wonderful! You can always work on pragmatics later....don't you think? Lots of kids on the spectrum have difficulties with pragmatics. Although I understand your point too. I have to tell you I'm a special ed. teacher not a SLP (as you can probably tell). As a teacher of children on the spectum I am a HUGE fan of requesting no matter how it's done (one word, I want..., 2 words). Its all GREAT!!
chikp- I understand what you mean about the carrier phrases. Are you a SLP? I know they aren't big on that. I also agree with you that once she is requesting lots of things you can teach her to say, " I want" or "give me". I wouldn't just stick with one carrier phrase. However, if she was 2 1/2 and saying "I want jumping" or requesting anything that would be wonderful! You can always work on pragmatics later....don't you think? Lots of kids on the spectrum have difficulties with pragmatics. Although I understand your point too. I have to tell you I'm a special ed. teacher not a SLP (as you can probably tell). As a teacher of children on the spectum I am a HUGE fan of requesting no matter how it's done (one word, I want..., 2 words). Its all GREAT!!
The crib broke when u wr 2 to 2 1/2. In Iowa u had no speech at all.
Whetever thoughts u had, we couldnt hear! Maybe this is why AC's are non verbal, when they think their "thought sentences" are considered speech? Just an idea.
We didnt want u out of the crib running around for obvious reasons.
Whetever thoughts u had, we couldnt hear! Maybe this is why AC's are non verbal, when they think their "thought sentences" are considered speech? Just an idea.
We didnt want u out of the crib running around for obvious reasons.
There were other times, even earlier I remember thinking words. I think I was in Iowa at the time, which meant I must have been less than 4 years old. (Unless my parents can correct me otherwise) I remember crawling out of my crib and climbing onto some kind of counter-like thing to look out the window. (I wish I could remember the layout of the room better, other than my crib was right next to the door on the same wall. It was "upstairs" from the living room and kitchen. Split level.) It was night time and there was some kind of flag or something flapping on a post. I thought the word "Scarf", even if that may not have been the right word.
I can also remember some sentences my parents spoke around that time. Sometimes I'd take words they spoke and attach them with the event... Somewhat of an embarrassing memory: I pooped in my diaper and it leaked. (this happened in the same room as the scarf story) My dad and mom were there and dad said, "You have got to be kidding!" I associated the word "kidding" with the stuff running out of my diaper. I don’t know why…
I can also remember some sentences my parents spoke around that time. Sometimes I'd take words they spoke and attach them with the event... Somewhat of an embarrassing memory: I pooped in my diaper and it leaked. (this happened in the same room as the scarf story) My dad and mom were there and dad said, "You have got to be kidding!" I associated the word "kidding" with the stuff running out of my diaper. I don’t know why…
I'm not surprised she's making those speech milestones so quickly now.
I have a few memories of speaking in sentences, only when I ask my parents about it, they say they never heard me. One of those memories was when I broke my crib by shaking the side. I think I did it with the intention of breaking it down too. I got my surprise. Parents came rushing in. They were both talking about something. I remember them saying something along the lines of "new bed" I recognized what they meant. This meant my crib would go away and I'd get a new bed.
I remember telling them, "I don't want a new bed. I like it this way!" Then I proceeded to crawl in and out the mattress that now was nearly on the floor without the wall thing that I had to reach my leg over. I think I may have even been trying to say the word "Easier" or been thinking along that line, which I think is quite well considering I was probably 4 years old.
The next bed I got (after sleeping on the couch) was an army cot. I thought the word "hammock" or at least visualized one. That broke. (it was the couch again) Then after that we went to a store and I found a bunk bed I enjoyed. I was thinking at the time I had several beds and I counted them. Crib, couch, hammock, then bed.
Even so for some reason even though I remember "saying" what I thought I said, it didn't come out. Perhaps I was talking in my head, like I still do and thought that's how we communicate. Who knows? I wish I could rewind back to that day and then fast-forward back to give you a more accurate answer.
I have a few memories of speaking in sentences, only when I ask my parents about it, they say they never heard me. One of those memories was when I broke my crib by shaking the side. I think I did it with the intention of breaking it down too. I got my surprise. Parents came rushing in. They were both talking about something. I remember them saying something along the lines of "new bed" I recognized what they meant. This meant my crib would go away and I'd get a new bed.
I remember telling them, "I don't want a new bed. I like it this way!" Then I proceeded to crawl in and out the mattress that now was nearly on the floor without the wall thing that I had to reach my leg over. I think I may have even been trying to say the word "Easier" or been thinking along that line, which I think is quite well considering I was probably 4 years old.
The next bed I got (after sleeping on the couch) was an army cot. I thought the word "hammock" or at least visualized one. That broke. (it was the couch again) Then after that we went to a store and I found a bunk bed I enjoyed. I was thinking at the time I had several beds and I counted them. Crib, couch, hammock, then bed.
Even so for some reason even though I remember "saying" what I thought I said, it didn't come out. Perhaps I was talking in my head, like I still do and thought that's how we communicate. Who knows? I wish I could rewind back to that day and then fast-forward back to give you a more accurate answer.
Instead of taking away her way of communicating to you that she wants to watch a video (by showing her that the word she is using really means something else) pair the word that she does have with the correct word ('movie' or 'video') since you can not make her say anything on command, you will provide the vocal and have her sign the word you choose to pair 'baby' with. So, if she comes to you and says "baby!" and you know that she is requesting a video, you will say "baby video" - de-emphasizing baby and stressing video - while prompting the video sign. Since she is doing well with her signs, she may pick up on this pretty quickly and make the switch to the new word on her own. Or, she may start saying 'baby video' which would also probably be appropriate since you could go back to the toys and say 'baby doll'.
Your daughter is still very young and seems to be on the cusp of a language jump which is wonderful! At this point, I would not stress the "I want ..." phrase when requesting. Just work on vocabulary and meaningful communication. What happens with "I want ..." is that you have a 3 year old running around saying "I want juice!", "I want hugs!", "I want swing!" and that is great. Eventually, though the child starts picking up on different forms of language (-ing verbs for instance) and then you'll hear phrases like "I want jumping!". This puts you in a position where you have to back track and un-teach the "I want ..." phrase and replace it with whatever phrase would be appropriate in each situation. It may work better to not push carrier phrases at all. Just try to expand her vocabulary with nouns and verbs. Once she is communicating a variety of wants and needs to you then you can work on expanding the lengths of her utterances.
Your daughter is still very young and seems to be on the cusp of a language jump which is wonderful! At this point, I would not stress the "I want ..." phrase when requesting. Just work on vocabulary and meaningful communication. What happens with "I want ..." is that you have a 3 year old running around saying "I want juice!", "I want hugs!", "I want swing!" and that is great. Eventually, though the child starts picking up on different forms of language (-ing verbs for instance) and then you'll hear phrases like "I want jumping!". This puts you in a position where you have to back track and un-teach the "I want ..." phrase and replace it with whatever phrase would be appropriate in each situation. It may work better to not push carrier phrases at all. Just try to expand her vocabulary with nouns and verbs. Once she is communicating a variety of wants and needs to you then you can work on expanding the lengths of her utterances.
Okay, we have milestone number two for talking! Our little girl a couple nights ago said "Go to bed!" Granted, she didnt' want to go to sleep, she wanted to go jump on the bed. But, heh, she told us another thing! I almost cried I was so happy. Oh, I hope more words come. Another thing we found out... she recognizes the entire alphabet. She's been watching this Baby ABC video and we got her this older toy from a consignment shop that has Big Bird on it that is an alphabet quiz and it asks you to find a certain letter and when you find it, it makes a happy sound and Big Bird says "Great, you found the letter X or whatever letter it asked". Our little girl found every single letter it asked her to in no time flat. She's only just 27 months old now. We were astounded. Her speech therapist thinks she might be reading by age 3 even though her speaking is quite delayed.
The speech therapist will not use PECs because she thinks it will detract from the sign language that she is doign so well at. We do have some picture sequences to show her planned activities for the day, but no picture exchanges for the moment. The speech therapist really thinks the speech and communication will come soon and her saying these two things about "Baby please" and "Go to bed" I think is a big indicator that yes, language is coming soon and now! :) I hope it continues... can only pray and keep on going with the therapy sessions. :)
The speech therapist will not use PECs because she thinks it will detract from the sign language that she is doign so well at. We do have some picture sequences to show her planned activities for the day, but no picture exchanges for the moment. The speech therapist really thinks the speech and communication will come soon and her saying these two things about "Baby please" and "Go to bed" I think is a big indicator that yes, language is coming soon and now! :) I hope it continues... can only pray and keep on going with the therapy sessions. :)
GREAT!! YAY!!
I'm no expert, but IMHO language is language! She said something and used her words and communicated something using her words! It works for me. Minor details can be worked out later.
She said something and got a response. You BET this is a BIG DEAL!
21 years later, I can still remember my daughters first word. "light" At first she said "Bah" every once in a while when I hit the light switch. So I tink she associated the word "Bah" with "light," later she said "light"
I guarnantee, this is a milestone, you will never forget this moment!
I'm no expert, but IMHO language is language! She said something and used her words and communicated something using her words! It works for me. Minor details can be worked out later.
She said something and got a response. You BET this is a BIG DEAL!
21 years later, I can still remember my daughters first word. "light" At first she said "Bah" every once in a while when I hit the light switch. So I tink she associated the word "Bah" with "light," later she said "light"
I guarnantee, this is a milestone, you will never forget this moment!
I think it's great that she's requesting no matter how she is doing it...that's awesome!! She is just overgeneralizing which is common with children on the spectrum. I would just correct her when she is asking for the video by calling it "baby". I would have her say, "movie." I wouldn't worry so much about showing her what a baby is. If she can say "please" have her say "please" if you really want to make her work, have her say, "I want movie please". You'll have to make that call. You can even take a picture of her movies and let her pick which one she wants. Start off slow though with maybe a pic or two. You can velcro the pictures in a book, say "which movie do you want?" Then I would have her pick. She then has to say, "movie" to get a movie. Pair the picture with the word always!!! SInce she doesn't have a lot of language does she use PECS to communicate (picture exchange communication system)? If not I would say that is something to talk to your speech therapist about. It will limit her frustration...good luck and congrats on the requesting!
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