When Colton was born, we knew he'd learn to walk. We knew that he wouldn't learn as fast as other kids, but we knew he would physically be able to do it with lots of therapy and time. And he did learn to walk. He took his first steps at 26 months old. It took a lot of patience on our part, but he did it and we were SO stinkin' proud because he worked so hard! And now that boy is all over the place and we think it's the greatest!
But one thing you don't always know about children with Down Syndrome is if they'll talk. Sure, a lot of them do...but...a lot of them don't. They can be non-verbal. When Colton was born, one thing Hunter said to me was, "I just want him to be able to talk to us and communicate. I know that he'll walk and I don't care when, I just pray that he talks." So we decided we'd try communicating with Sign Language first. We bought the DVD's called "Baby Signing Time" and Colton loves them. We watch them all of the time because Colton learns best by repetition. Weston watches them, too, and helps me learn some of the signs I don't know. Colton started Speech Therapy around the age of 1 and all of his therapists have been amazing! They help him learn sign language and use lots of visuals and play games. They practice blowing because that is hard for kids with Ds and it's an important part of learning to talk. They obviously work on sounds and they sing lots of songs. Colton loves Speech Therapy. His current Speech Therapist told me that he'll mimic any sound she does (Ex: Ta-ta-ta) if she whispers it. He always whispers it back. He's hilarious! His therapists are constantly sending home little booklets like "Vocabulary for Christmas" with words, pictures, and these blocks at the bottom showing the signs.
Out of all of the areas he needs help with (Speech, OT, PT, Feeding), Speech is the easiest for me to help him. I try my best to be his Speech Therapist at home. I enjoy teaching him new words so we read a lot of books and sing a lot of songs. Colton loves music! The most you'll hear him talk is when he sings along to a song. It's so cute! Since day 1, I have made it a priority to talk to Colton about everything we do. People might think I'm crazy, but I think it works. Here are some examples:
"Colton, let's go change your diaper. Mama is going to lay you down now. Can you say diaper?"
"Colton, let's go open the blinds. Help me count. 1, 2, 3, Open!" I'd go to every blind in the house and do the same thing over and over.
"Colton, do you want to take a bath? Let's go take a bath. Mama is turning on the water. Can you say water?"
"Colton, let's open the refrigerator. Can you say open? It's time to eat. Do you want to eat? Say eat. Colton wants to eat."
So, I did this all of the time and it just became a habit (that I continue to do with Asher). Every time Colton would try to talk or make sounds, I would celebrate it. And if you know Colton, you know that there's nothing he loves more than clapping and cheering for himself. Haha. Eventually, Colton started to say words like, "More" or "Eat" or "Up" or "Ball." He had trouble saying 2 words in a row, but I was happy to hear 1 word. I'd keep requiring him to use the words I knew he could say during meals or when he'd want out of his crib or during playtime, and then I would praise him A LOT for saying those words. Slowly but surely, he began to attempt more words. Even if he didn't say them perfectly, I would celebrate each attempt. I had to be patient and continue to repeat myself dozens of times, but it was absolutely worth it to hear him speak.
Now, let's be honest. Me doing this at home is not the only reason Colton started talking. He has incredible Speech Therapists and Teachers at school that work with him every single day. Colton also was blessed with the ability to hear. I was told in the hospital that he would most likely fail his hearing test...but he has passed every single time. I was told he would probably have lots of ear infections because children with Ds have more narrow ear canals...but he has had less than 5 his entire life. I was told that he would most likely have fluid in his ears that would require tubes during his tonsillectomy...but he didn't. So, Colton being able to hear is a HUGE advantage. Colton has also been drinking from straw cups since the bottle to strengthen the muscles in his face and tongue and has been using a straw block to encourage him to suck with his lips, not his tongue (to keep that tongue in his mouth instead of wrapping it around a straw). We are so blessed to have a wonderful feeding therapist that gave us these tips because I would've never known to do these things. Colton's articulation has absolutely surprised me! I really expected him to talk like he has a mouth full of marshmallows, but he doesn't. Now, some sounds are harder for him than others but that's ok.
If a word is more challenging, Colton usually just says the END of the word...which makes me laugh. I'll say, "Colton, are you hungry?" He will say, "Gry." Or, "Colton, say baseball." And he will say, "Ball." But, he is starting to say words that are multisyllabic and is starting to use two or three word phrases. His Speech Therapist encourages us to clap out each word or syllable when we say the word to see if he will do it back to us. Base (Clap) Ball (Clap). And now he says, "Baseball." So this is what we are currently working on. It's very rare for Colton to say a full sentence, but the other day my mom called for Colton to come to her while he was in the other room and we heard him say loud and clear, "I DON'T WANT TO." Mom, Weston, and I were dying laughing. Oh, that boy is so funny and sometimes he surprises us!
Just because Colton can say words, doesn't mean he always uses his words. There are times when he's whiny after school and can't tell me what's wrong. He just holds my leg and moans and I have to try to figure out what he needs. Is he tired? Is he hungry? Does he just want to be held? So, it can be frustrating, especially when he's sick or hurt because he can't communicate what's wrong. But, I just continue to talk to him and ask him questions and try to get him to respond with a "Yes" or "No." He also doesn't request many things. For example, if we are in the car, he won't ask for me to turn on the music...but if I ask him if he wants the music on, he will respond. The other day, we were waiting in the car for Weston to finish a class and I decided to turn Baby Signing Time on the DVD player for Colton to watch. It was playing in the car, but I forgot to pull the TV down from the ceiling, so he couldn't see the show, he could only hear it. He wasn't able to tell me that so that sweet boy just listened. No worries, Weston made me aware of my error as soon as he stepped foot in the car. I felt so bad! Oops! But...Colton did bring me the remote the other day and said, "Lion King." So...there are times when he tells me what he wants.
I'm so very proud of Colton's communication. He's working really hard to talk and mimic sounds. He's made a lot of progress this school year. Being around other kids at school helps SO much!! He still has a long way to go, but I absolutely know that Colton will be verbal and that makes my heart SO happy!
And we must shout out to Colton's awesome big brother, Weston, who cheers for Colton when he says words and teaches him sign language and who reminds me, "Mom, he needs to say "UP" before you let him out of the crib!" Weston is an amazing kid and Colton is so lucky to have him! Just this week he said to me, "Mom, Colton is talking SO good!" I agree, dude. Colton is doing awesome!
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