Does "Mmmmm" mean 'mum'? Moondog?

[monstermansmum]

My ds1 7yo (Angelman Syndrome, no speech) was sat on my knee earlier and put his head near me and said "Mmmmmm"! He has never done it like this before-he has days when he vocalises all day.(the same noise constantly) but most of the time he is quiet apart from excited shrieks of joy or crying. He hasn't said it today (at home anyway) except this once. I think it was 'mum' but I dont feel happy-just sad and very emotional! I want to be happy about it and 'live in the moment'but its not working. If it was your ds would you think it was 'mum'??

I'm sorry you are sad.

Al lsounds start out as sounds.
They are shaped into words by the response of others to them.
So what you need to do is respond appropriately.
When he does it, approach him with a big smile and say 'Yes! I'm here! Smile at him, press his hand to your chest, say the word so he can see you asnd maybe sign it too. To sign, first three fingers of one hand press into palm of the other.

Lovely that this is a new skill.

I meant all words start as arbirtrary strings of sounds and then get shaped as the child thinks 'Ah! This gets a certain response each time, so it means something.'

sorry to intrude
dd has cp and she started with mmmmmmmmm and then it became mum

I don't think you are intruding 2shoes.
We learn from each other.

dd loves chocolateso I used to say chocolate
mmmmmmm
then we worked on mmmmmmmmummmmmm
and now she can do it

I think you can make it mum.

A few months ago I started a thread on here about being said because ds1 (aged 9) was saying one word- 'mummy' perfectly but with no meaning attached. it was just a random sound to him.

When he said it I treated it as if he had said mummy and a few weeks later he started to say it with meaning.

Thanks all. AS kids dont have language as such although they all make themselves heard one way or anther! There are a few who have Uni-Parental Disomy who use a few words (some up to 20) but usually not in the right context. eg "mum" can mean school, car or mum/dad etc. My ds is del+ which is lower functioning and I know 1 or2 del+ kids who have a single word-mum! Here's hoping!

Oh my ds does Mmmmmmmmmm all the time but it never occured it could possibly mean mum to him or that it could be the start. Im going to ensure I respond appraopriately each time he does it...how exciting it may,one day, evolve into mum!

Hi Monstermansmum,
I hope it is the start of him saying mum. My friends son is del + and at 5 he has a good few words - half a dozen or so anyway and uses them fairly appropriately including mama, which he uses for most females. He is very high functioning though - and totally gorgeous. My little girl has no words yet - just the shrieks and laughter mainly but she is only 2 so I hope she'll get there in the future. I'd just love to hear her voice iykwim.

Me too SJ-I sometimes try and imagine what it would be like to actually hear his voice say real words-his voice sometimes sounds so deep when hes vocalising and its as if hes saying the words in his head but they just arent coming out. Does you dd have Angelman Syndrome? Nice to hear about your friends little boy, they must be so pleased he uses his words appropriately- I would be.

Hi monstermansmum - yes dd is deletion + also. I'm so proud of my litttle woman and all she has achieved - but a word or two would be so special. She somtiems looks at me when vocalising Aaa Uuuu Aaaa Uuuu with the little expression on her face so animated like she is having a little conversation. I'd love to know what she's thinking. My frind is very proud of her son - she calls him her little miracle.

Hi SJ - you have got me wondering if I know you already?! If you want to get in touch feel free [email protected] (I cant log in to MN to change my contact details)
Did you go to the conference (I am one of the ASSERT trustees.) I tell ds that I am proud if him every night because of the little things he does and the tiny bits of progress he makes are monumental achievments.
All our kids are little miracles.

Hi monstermansmum - don't think we know each other. I didn't make it to the conference - would love to have gone but I was 9 months pregnant at the time - DD2 was born on the 8th of September. Will definitely try and make it to the next one. I agree - all our kids are little miracles indeed. Will send you e mail.