Here is an earlier thread reply of mine that described my son's expressive language disorder.
http://giftedissues.davidsongifted.org/BB/ubbthreads.php/topics/75351/5.htmlSome kids are late talkers and catch up right away and use proper grammar and such right away. If it's not like that, it may be expressive language disorder, which is the "Einstein Syndrome." Just something to look into. I plan on testing my DS when he turns 6 to see his degree of GT and if there are any LD's. He had one right at 4yrs old and was non-compliant for most of it. DS wouldn't answer things he's known since he was 3. The psych had nothing up his sleeve and no experience with strong-willed kids obviously; although DS's ped referred him.
You can lookup some of my non-neurotic;) threads as well to see some of his progress. Ha. I had a few unfortunately. School-issues made me this way. (homeschooling saved us both) Look up "late talking" in the search engine as well.
I had lots of puzzles (A,B,C), blocks, legos, trains, trucks, hot wheel cars, all the Leapfrog letter videos, Leapfrog refrigerator magnets that said the sounds, and used many of the Bee Smart Baby videos. His ST recommended all of the Leapfrog stuff. The 'tactileness' of the frig letters were great. These were his favorite; and he liked spelling words with them too - simple things like his name, Mom, Daddy, cat, dog... My DS is extremely visual; so incorporating as many things as possible has been very effective. With ELD, the kids don't have the filing system in their heads that other kids do; so creating groupings of things, i.e. dog, cat, mouse = animals and such are needed first; so it is easier to get the words out that they are trying to speak. I have a female friend who suffered from a stroke; and it is much like that. You know what you want to say, but can't get it into words. It is entirely frustrating. BUT, it can be taught/cured/worked through. It really needs speech therapy though. If words and pictures are incorporated together, it sticks more. Also, it has been proven that one-on-one time learning these things, sticks better than them watching a video about it. Also, physically showing them with their mouths how to make the sound is important. These smart kids can do things if shown properly; so it actually helps to physically help them and/or put a mirror in front of them. Overly exaggerating the sound too (liking "hacking" to say the k sound - sorry for the grossness) - that's how the ST did it. I like the videos as we rode in the car to add another element to his development/teaching.
My DS is about a year behind now in his speech still; but he is progressing steadily with speech therapy. He has been in therapy since he was 2. See the other thread for more details, or if you have any more specific questions, write here or PM me. I am an open book. DS is doing 1st grade math with RightStart Math and is reading at 2nd grade now (using time4learning.com).
One last thing that helped with him was being consistent/relentless in getting him to repeat things correctly (with love), lots of love and understanding, and showing him how proud we are for his just trying - and staying calm. Our ST made us make him ask for things, even when we knew what he wanted. Hugs to you!
