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For months I've thought that he would start talking at any moment.  Slowly it has become frustrating for both of us as he struggles to communicate EXACTLY what he wants and needs from us.  Although he DOES in fact communicate a great deal – with grunts and points and body language and grins and shrieks and sounds – he still isn't saying words, or consonants for that matter, and very few actual language sounds.  One day this summer after pondering on his lack of speech, I felt the Holy Ghost communicate with me a simple but strong rebuke…"why haven't you prayed about it?"  I pray about many, if not most, of my problems, concerns and worries…but it had not yet occurred to me to pray about this.  And so I did.  And felt that I should get busy and get him and me some help.  I asked my mom for help.  And she found out about a place called the Callier Center at UTD in Richardson. 

Today we went for an evaluation with a speech language pathologist and one of her Masters degree students.  We sat on the floor and they asked me questions while playing with him and observing him for 2 hours. They will write up a comprehensive report for us, but it was great for me to go and have everything I've known confirmed to me by a professional.  Her evaluation considers many factors - all of which she says he is demonstrating average to above average abilities.  He comprehends everything we say – he plays beautifully – he is smart and socially adept.  She measured him at 21 -27 months (he's 20 months yesterday) in all of the categories except for one…articulation.  In "articulation" she said he is only at a 6-12 month level.  Here's a great definition of articulation: "the adjustments and movements of speech organs involved in pronouncing a particular sound, taken as a whole."  Exactly what I thought.

She reassured me that bringing him for help was the right thing to do…it's not something that he will just develop or get better at on his own necessarily.  She did some oral tests on him and found that his tongue wasn't following cues that way it should.  His little mouth and tongue need to be taught how to form consonants and words, for whatever reason. 

So – here we go…on the hunt for a good private speech pathologist.  And he will most likely be enrolled in "small-group therapy for language emergence" program in the Spring.

I feel relieved – and thankful.  Thankful that I was gently reminded that Heavenly Father wants to help and have a say in Samuel's life.  Thankful that we're getting some help.  Thankfully that this very small inconvenience is something that we have the time and means to deal with, and thankful that it's not something "big".  Thankful for Samuel's sweet nature – his constant hugs right now, his love of books, his laughter.  Thankful to be his mom.

Sidenote: A friend of mine told me that when her son was little and was going for speech therapy, she would say to him "we're just going to help you find your voice".  I love the way that sounds!  So I use it for Samuel (and for the big boys, when they get frustrated with him) – we're just doing all we can to help him find his voice.