My daughter was nonverbal until she was 4. She would occasionally make sounds similar to words. One day I was home from work on lunch break, I worked 5 minutes away and would come home for lunch to save money.
I was leaving to head back to work, kissed my wife and then my daughter who was sitting in a high chair also having lunch. I told her "bye, I love you!".
She replied with a crystal clear perfect "I love you" back.
The reaction from my wife and I was similar to this mom. Hearing her speak at all, let alone telling me she loves me, is one of my strongest memories now. I remember it often and this video brought back all the emotions.
My little dude is 3 and he's non verbal. Reading your comment. My god, I'm so so happy that you had that moment and that you have that memory but I'm not going to lie to you and tell you that I don't have a genuine burning jealousy towards you for that. I can only hope and tell myself that we'll have a moment like that as well.
He's got time, theres still hope. I was the same way at that age with a serious slur and stutter for years after, but today, you'd probably just figure it's an accent. My parents never imagined I'd be where I am even when I was 5.
Keep working and hoping. My daughter didn't "get it" until she was almost 2 and we got her this video called "Let's talk with Puppy Dog". My friend's daughter didn't speak until she was 3 and she is completely caught up now at 15. My daughter is 17 and she has autism, so she struggles but she is very high functioning.
Little dude is on the spectrum as well, which is why he struggles so much.
I'm definitely the more hopeful one of us both and he'll absolutely get there. It's just very interesting something that we all very take for granted. Telling each other how we feel about others, ourselves. From a simple "I'm thirsty" to the bigger "I love you". It gets to him as much as it does us. He wants so badly to communicate, he tries to mimic sounds and inflictions but he just can't get the actual letters and words yet.
I understand your feelings. It's hard, and nobody can really alleviate the thoughts and fears you have. Kids are amazing and will surprise you time and time again. Your little man will find ways to express himself even if not verbal, and there are non-verbal ways you can communicate back while also reinforcing the verbal cues. For instance, a board with pictures of his toys that he can use to tell you which toy he wants. Or foods.
Don't be discouraged by comparing your son to anyone else. He is unique, and your experiences will be unique. Shower him with love, work with him patiently, and you will be amazed at what he learns! <3
My friend's nonverbal son just randomly said "helicopter!" absolutely perfectly at fucking seven and now he speaks basically normally. Plenty of time if your little dude is only 3
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u/mistiry 18d ago
My daughter was nonverbal until she was 4. She would occasionally make sounds similar to words. One day I was home from work on lunch break, I worked 5 minutes away and would come home for lunch to save money.
I was leaving to head back to work, kissed my wife and then my daughter who was sitting in a high chair also having lunch. I told her "bye, I love you!".
She replied with a crystal clear perfect "I love you" back.
The reaction from my wife and I was similar to this mom. Hearing her speak at all, let alone telling me she loves me, is one of my strongest memories now. I remember it often and this video brought back all the emotions.