Mixed Receptive-Expressive Language Delay

This is a video I took of my son to show an example of a child with Mixed Receptive-Expressive Language Delay and Phonological Delay.

Christian (my son) will be 4 yrs old in less than a month, and was diagnosed with both of these delays a year ago shortly after he turned 3. Back then he could hardly talk at all and couldn't name objects when asked what they were. For instance, his speech pathologist asked him to show her the window, and he couldn't even point out the window. He isn't able to pronounce letters that other kids his age are able to. Also, he doesn't understand a lot of things people say to him like other kids his age would...such as simple questions or instructions. He has now been in speech therapy for 1 yr now, as well as preschool, and has progressed SO much. However, as you can see in the video, he still trouble with his ABC's and understanding spoken language.

Notice in the video how he doesn't understand the simple questions I am asking him or follow simple instructions, and still can't recite his ABC's by himself. He also still has alot of trouble with colors. I hope this video can be helpful to others who are having trouble identifying whats wrong with their child's speech. I was at a complete loss in the beginning but I always knew something was wrong when he didn't seem to understand what I was saying to him. Early intervention is the key, and I absolutely LOVE Christian's speech therapy team that's working with him. He has come such a long way!

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• mixed
• receptive
• expresssive
• phonological
• language
• delay
• kids
• sing
• ABC
• funny
• cute
• speech
• therapy

[jimbobgeorgejohn]

Hi my son is 3 years and 4 months and was diagnostic with the same delay.. he goes to speech 2 days at week and enrolling to preschool pretty soon. I pray that we can comunicate beautiful like your son.

[crzybeautiful3]

@jimbobgeorgejohn Just keep up the work! I'm glad to see you are doing something about it. Christian is now 6, and was recently tested by the speech therapist at his school, and apparently he is still having problems with his receptive and expressive language. He is still receiving speech therapy after 3 years, but he is doing soooo much better. I hardly see a problem at all compared to what it used to be. Just don't give up, and make sure your son continues to be tested regularly.

[ringosinclair]

This is Amazing ! Cameron is 3 and 3 months and I can't imagine him being able to talk this well in 9 months time ! would love to see an updated video. My Cameron talks all the time Jargon and echolalia mostly. We have been going to speech for a year.. he does know his ABC though but only through a computer game ! whahah .. would love you to take a look at our video and see what you think. =) thanks

[crzybeautiful3]

@ringosinclair Thanks for watching! I'll definitely check out your video. Christian learned his ABCs simply from singing the song. I find that if I put stuff in song format, he learns it. He loves music, so it helps a ton. I'm working on putting up a new video. Both of my camcorders decided to stop working for some unknown reason. Christian is now almost 6 (in June), and still in speech therapy. He has come so far, and now you can barely tell he even has any speech issues. He talks so well.

[crzybeautiful3]

He's now constantly asking me a ton of questions about what certain words mean, and how things work. It's hard to believe he started out w/ just jargon. I wish I had a video of him a year before this video was done. You couldn't understand him.

[flojoo33]

Hi crzybeautiful3 ..

yes.. thank you so so much for everything.. you have shown that we all need to persevere :')

Sierra is going to special kindy these days for language delay...she's 4.5 yrs old now.. and she's come so far (tho talking jibberish..but better than not talkin at all :))

hope Christian is all good and happy :D

take care &GBUAbundantly

oxoxoxo

[crzybeautiful3]

@flojoo33 Just keep up w the speech therapy, and she will be talking your ear off in no time! Christian will be 6 in June, and is still in speech therapy, but you can barely tell that he has any speech concerns. He does still have phonological problems, and trouble finding the right words to use, but it's NOTHING compared to how it was when he first started. I'll have to upload a new video of him soon that shows how well he's talking now. You can't even tell he has language delays really.

[Kienji1495]

your son reminds me of my son. My son is going to 1st grade. Like your son, he loves singing and dancing and is exceptional at the arts. He was the top speller in his class and good at math, but when it comes to speech he says certain things clear and then uses jargon on other things. There are also certain comands he doesn't understand off hand, or if you ask him a question he speaks off topic. I am interested in knowing what you are doing. Your son looks like he is very bright.

[ringosinclair]

@crzybeautiful3 Wow that is such good news !! it makes me very excited to know that in a few years time we will get to have conversation with Cameron ! my Cameron also loves music and can sing hundreds of songs. thanks for watching our video.. its good to know other Merld Parents. they say my Cameron also is sensory seeking and avoiding but Im not sure it effects him to much he goes to OT and they tend to think he regulates this very well himself.

[crzybeautiful3]

@pyrettablaze1128 Thanks for the comment! I'm glad to see you are getting the proper help for your daughter that she needs. Keep up the good work, and you'll see her blossom beautifully! :)

[pyrettablaze1128]

my child has the same thing . she is seeing a speech and OT therapists and also going to be starting special education soon. she is getting a little better but it is still hard for her to understand certain things and follow a conversation with someone. thank you for sharing this video , i hope things continue to get better for your son ! God bless ya'll!

[instagasm]

@crzybeautiful3 thanks. it is tough, but it gets better!. sounds like youre doing great by getting all the testing and help he needs. keep up the good work. its so worth it!

[crzybeautiful3]

@Mouichido85 They are now talking to me about medication for ADHD. I feel like I'm at a fork in the road. They say it will help him greatly. He has extreme problems w/ being able to calm down enough to pay attention. When I talk to Christian now, I can tell he's still behind. It just feels to me that he's clueless sometimes, or so simple minded (for lack of better words). I don't know if that has to do w/ the receptive speech problem or what. Does that sound like it to you?

[crzybeautiful3]

@Mouichido85 Thank you so much for the comment! We have definitely been working hard w/ Christian, and he has a great group of speech and occupational therapists. He is now 5 and sooo much better expression wise, but still 2 years behind on the receptive aspect. Just can't seem to boost that up. :( He is in Kindergarten, but they are worried they may have to hold him back because he just isn't getting the letter recognition and alphabet down well.

[crzybeautiful3]

@instagasm Thank you so much for the comment! Since this video, the docs have said they do not suspect autism (asperger's to be exact) at this time, but want a follow up. They are also suspecting Sensory Processing Disorder (which is why so many ppl thought autism) and ADHD. He is still in speech therapy, and doing so good, but still behind 2 years on the receptive part of it. It's so tough! Glad your daughter is doing so well! :)

[crzybeautiful3]

@joelh27 Thanks for the advice! Definitely something I need to do and WILL work on!

[crzybeautiful3]

@joelh27 He was actually in speech therapy when I made this video. Between the age of 4 an 5 they said he didn't need it anymore, but now at age 5, he is back in it. Today, he is doing extremely well w/ the expressive aspect, but is still 2 years about on the receptive part. He has (not "officially" diagnosed yet) sensory processing problems and ADHD (also in the process of diagnosis) as well, so I'm not sure if those things are slowing him down or what. This journey has definitely been long!

[crzybeautiful3]

@Jamdown1990 Thank you so much! Christian is now 5, and w/ tons of therapy, he has progressed so much! The only part he is still behind on is the receptive part. He was recently retested by the speech pathologist, and he is still 2 years behind in that area. Keep in mind thought that he is also suspected of having ADHD, and he is confirmed to have sensory processing issues, so I'm still unsure if those factors play a role or not.

[crzybeautiful3]

@hotmama78 Thank you so much! :)

[crzybeautiful3]

@flojoo33 I know it's been a long time since you've commented on this video, but I wanted to say thank you for sharing your story. I know exactly where you're coming from about feeling like it was your fault. It's something I still wonder about myself. I blamed myself to doing too much baby talk w/ him when he was young, and not pronouncing words correctly.

I will definitely make another video soon (he's now 5 1/2), so that everyone can see how he is now w/ all the speech therapy he's had.

[Mouichido85]

All MRELD folks must know to NEVER GIVE UP! It is harder and other kids can be very cruel. What helped me at an early age was video games. The first thing I started to read by myself was video game magazines. From there, I started to read strategy guides because I wanted to beat the game. I was only told to do that during holidays and weekends. Don't worry parents...If you keep at helping your child, he or she will graduate from high school and college. I did but it was no easy task!

[instagasm]

your son is just adorable! my daughter has PDD-NOS (autism) and also mixed expressive receptive language disorder,like your son. she's 7 and her words are clearer...but she still has a hard time understanding things and explaining things.

[joelh27]

Your son is so precious! One other thing I wanted to say too was that it helps to talk slower to them, and I also saw another mom state that the kids need to hear it 10-15 times before they can process it and remember it a lot of the times, so Im going to try this too.

[joelh27]

hi - my son also has this issue. He will be 5 on Monday. We had him in speech therapy for like 4-5 months and it did wonders! I then went out and bought all the tools they were using and do them at home. He no longer is in therapy, as he did get bored with it, and made a lot of progress. Have you tried speech therapy? It is crazy expensive but it is really worth it. I've learned lately that my son does better too when I show him things as I am talking instead of only talking. Hope that helps.

[Jamdown1990]

Thanks so much for sharing? Wow! He does a great job expressing himself. We just got a diagnosis for our daughter who is now three. Your son does a great job following directions and I really think you're doing a fine job with him. I'm in panic mode about the diagnosis, but I'm really hoping that our first therapy session will help to quell my fears. Again, thanks for sharing.