Our youngest son invented his own language. Seriously. We were concerned that he hadn't started using any of the typical words like "mama" and such that the other two boys had by the time he was two. He said words and was very insistent that we call things HIS words...they just weren't intelligible to the rest of us. So we had him checked out. The speech pathologist did extensive testing, after which she said, "Mom, your son is very intelligent, and he is speaking; he just isn't speaking English. Our goal will be to teach him." So that is what she did, every day for the next nine months, she was there at 8:00 in the morning to teach him English.
He may not have had much to say for his first two years, but once he started, he never stopped. I remember telling My Guy, that if he ever learned to whistle, we were in big trouble. I SHOULD have been anticipating other noise making options. By the time he was six, he was drumming everything, with his pencil, his fingers or anything else he could use. We finally gave in when the school in Abqaiq started a rock band and said they would teach him to be a drummer. I enjoyed listening to the boys play. Hearing them progress in skill is a wonderful thing.
This is just one of the many sets of his drum sticks that were left when he went away to boarding school. I have used them for many things. They make great plant stakes. This set I will keep.
What a fascinating story - working in SEN I think this is the best I've heard. Incredible intelligence is often locked away inside those of us who march to the beat of a different drum - she had great insight and you have seen the benefit of it - wonderful!
@helenhall I forgot to add that in addition to an amazing voice, he has a fun sense of humor and had an entire drawer full of bits and pieces of radios and remote controls and who knew whats that he was forever repurposing into bizarre gadgets. There was never a dull moment in our home!
Great story. I have five children and my #4 - a boy, had his own language. He did take longer to speak and longer to learn to read, then struggled a bit at school. But he is very clever and creative (and loves to read now) and at 27 has just completed his architectural masters degree! (with an A) They do say too that babies exposed to 2 languages might take longer to speak but after that they are much more advanced than their peers. So interesting!
Each child has his/'her own gifts to share with the world. I love your story about his own language and the love that you showed by finding the tools (therapists included) to guide him along his way. I adore the tones and textures of these sticks. Fav.
Wow. Impressive narrative. What a special boy you've got there!
I love your focus in this shot. My boy also became a drummer (on everything!) and ended up playing in a band also.
September 9th, 2017
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@islambad Thank you so much! I am not familiar with SEN. Can you explain please?
@helenhall Thank you very much for your encouraging comment!
@joansmor Thank you so much!
I love your focus in this shot. My boy also became a drummer (on everything!) and ended up playing in a band also.