To ask how much your dcs understanding improved with age

[Jazzy1814]

My ds is 3 and has autism he has limited speech which usually consists of labelling; colours, numbers, animals ect he has a few words which I would say he uses as a form of communication which are help, more and open but he gets these mixed up and often asks for more when he means open ect. I’m not so worried about his actual speech but his understanding is really limited and it seems the few actual communicative words he knows he doesn’t actually fully understand. He can’t answer a simple question like “do you want a drink” ect he has no idea what I’m saying. I’m just wondering if anyone else’s child was similar and did their understanding improve? I should add we use some makaton and we are about to start using pecs, he also has speech Therepy and attends a special pre school but only once a week. I just want to know if he will ever understand what I’m saying.

[livpotter]

My ds's understanding was quite limited at 3. He wouldn't have been able to process a whole sentence like 'do you want a drink' at that age. We used photos and makaton which helped to support his understanding and gave him longer to process. so saying it once then giving him good time before repeating the word.

I found after a time if he wanted something he would repeat the word back but if he stayed silent he didn't want it.

He's now 7 and his understanding and language has improved massively. We still use visual supports but he can process social stories now rather than just single images.

[PretzelParadox]

My DS had limited understanding at 3. He could talk but it was all echolalia - he could repeat a lot of stuff we said or stuff from TV. He own generated speech was very limited, mainly labelling like you say. He couldn't answer questions. He used to repeat stuff a lot, often out of context, which made him seem odd.

He is now 7 and he speech has come on so much, it is quite unbelieveable. We he wants to he can chatter away like a typical 7 year old, only thing is some of his speech sounds are unclear (especially s and r), occassionally even I don't understand him. He's still not great at answering questions, but it not because he is unable to but mostly because he doesn't seem to see the point! His speech therapist has him working towards blank level 3 (if you've been introduced to the blank level questions yet). He still does the echolalia thing, but now in context, so you might mistake him for being extremely eloquent, especially when he's repeating science facts he's heard on youtube!

[PretzelParadox]

Oh and DS can now read, and is actually almost age appropriate in his reading skills despite his language difficulties. He tends to read by memory, he is less good at phonics. He is also learning to write - he can copy sentences, and is just beginning to write his own. I am amazed at how much he has developed, I remember be so worried when he was diagnosed at 3.

[BatleyTownswomensGuild]

My DS was very similar at 3. He's 7.5 now. His language and understanding has come on massively but I'd say socially and emotionally he's about 2 years behind his peers. I suspect he'll always be young for his age. I'm ok with that, he's on a different curve to other kids. We are ina great primary school that places real emphasis on valuing the individual and celebrates his successes. However, am already anticipating that secondary school might be challenging for him....

[Jazzy1814]

Thank you all so much for your replies. I know that they are all so different and that it might not be the same for my ds but you have no idea how much hope you have given me.

[Bigcitylights]

Sounds so similar to my son. Diagnosed at 3, did have speech with a lot of echolalia, but when he was properly evaluated we saw that his understanding was actually very poor. Now at six his language is fairly in line with his peers, although definitely not eloquent. Also young for his age. Very happy boy, although I too feel some trepidation about the teenage years.

[Jazzy1814]

Sounds similar to my ds. He’s happy, calm and so sweet and loving he just has really no idea of what is going on around him or how to communicate any thing. It is so lovely to read these positive comments. I’m not going to lie I have driven myself mad with worry over the last year or so asking questions which I know no one really knows the answer to, so it’s so reassuring to read these replies and have hope.