ToddlerTube

  • For Googlers Everywhere: Normal Three Year Old Not Speaking (Not Much, Anyway)

    Posted by Susie Felber
    Before I launch into the messy details of what is and has been, here's a peek into Hugo circa now -- sledding on Christmas Eve day in VA.

    As you can see (hear) Hugo is talking. A bit. But no, he's still massively behind his peers and this has been an ongoing tempest in s teapot. He has been in speech therapy since he was 16 months old. And yes, we agree this sounds ridiculous. And no, we have no faith any of it has done any good. At best he has enjoyed some of his therapists. To be clear: We didn't seek any of this out. His pediatrician referred us for an evaluation way back when. We weren't nervous about him, but OK, to rule anything bad out, we got one. They found Hugo was a highly social, intelligent, normal baby -- who happened to have a speech delay. Then began the free speech therapy in the form of "early intervention."

    We had a few farcical moments (the teacher who came and laid flat on our floor while she worked with Hugo becuase she was tired; the woman who came to our home and said she hated working and was only doing this to keep her benefits in reitrement). And when he hit three, he was evaluatd again and they found he was highly social, intelligent and normal kid -- who happens to be speech delayed. I'm not going into the visit to the developmental pediatrician -- not now at least. But let's just say we waited 8 months for an appointment in Jersey City where we tiptoed over condoms and Jack Daniels bottles to get to the office of an akward woman who had no appropriate tests for his age and no answers, save that she wanted to see him again in six months.  No. Thanks.

    We asked the doctor: What otherwise normal child grows up and never learns to speak? She got very quiet.

    This is the other side of the autism scare: Kids like Hugo being watched like hawks and treated for things they will probably overcome in the fullness of time.  Like a friend of mine whose two-year-old got referred to weekly occupational therapy because the toddler didn't like using a straw or rejected foods with strange textures.

    But each time he adds a new word, they come out of the blue, spontaneously, but, well, the speech therapists can take credit for it.  And if he sounds like he's speaking an alien tongue (he does) we can feel a tad less guilty.

    But why am I writing about this?  Because way back when I wrote a post here that included the phrase "two-year-old not speaking" -- it was a Google favorite.  A bazillion nervous parents are out there, reaching into cyberland looking for validation that their silent spawn are going to be OK.  I'm here to say, ya, they are.  But you'll be driven to distraction (and intervention) until they do.

    hugo sledding
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  • I'm Not Here.

    Posted by Susie Felber

    But I am. 

    My mother died of ovarian cancer in June.  After a long illness, yes, but one where she really only did badly at the end.  She finished what became her final novel in March.  Don't know how, but she did.  In the spring, I worked from her home, my childhood home, full time, while taking care of her, while also pregnant with my second. 

     I had that baby in November.  Cordelia.  We call her Delia.  Here she is:


    DSC_0007

    Officially this blog is over.  But unlike my work blog, or my personal blog or any of the other sites I might appear on -- my friends and family and every fracking person who has found me on Facebook -- dont know I'm here.  

    And that's why I am.  

    So welcome.  Sit a spell. And whatever you do, don't tell.

     


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  • Now We Are Two

    Posted by Susie Felber
    Yup, I'm sneaking back to share something I made for Hugo's second birthday, which is less than two weeks away, followed by an update.

    Hugo's Birthday

    Hugo is doing wonderfully. Of course, he's still not speaking, not much at all. Maybe we should've named him Harpo.  Yes, he's been evaluated up and down. They said he was advanced in social, cognitive and physical skills.  But his speaking at 18 months was 12 month old level.  We're on our second state-sponsored speech teacher already. She's not worried. The teachers at his school are not worried. And me? I'm not worried, but how I would love it if he was talking! He makes himself known, and he gets by on charm, mime and blonde ringlets.  Nice work if you can get it, eh?

    Me?  I'm loving my work, I'm also on TV quite a bit lately and you can check out some of my "dumb" blogging here.

    Oh and my man is doing fab too.  Here's a hilarious article he wrote about skiing at Alta in Utah for the FT and their "Pink Snow" section.   I think it's the tops.


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  • The End... Or Is It?

    Posted by Susie Felber

    Here's an video farewell from Hugo. It's less than two minutes long and the drama really heats up at the one minute mark.

    Officially, this blog is now over. However, don't be surprised if you find me back here sneaking in to share pics, vids, hilarious stories and the occasional rant.

     

    Thanks to all my readers, groupies, gushing fans who wrote Toddler Tube fan fiction and the Academy.

    Ciao 4 now, chickadees!

    xoxo,

    Susie 


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  • The Long Bye Bye

    Posted by Susie Felber

    I've more vid and verbiage to post for you as promised, but at the moment, I'm late for work.  

    This pic was not snapped this morn, but properly conveys work & lateness. Oh, and although at a size 10, I'm no ballerina, those are not my shoes.


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    Posted Jul 29 2008, 07:33 AM with no comments
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About the Blogger

Susie Felber is a professional writer & comedian who currently rocks it for truTV.com. Hugo Holland is her magically delicious son. Toddler Tube chronicles their lives via itty bitty videos.


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