This is our gorgeous son, Hunter, a few months after he lost all his speech. He received an MMR vaccine at 12 months and we started to notice a decline in his speech that then completely disappeared one month after the flu vaccine at 15 months. He had 30 words that I had written on a scrap piece of paper waiting to go in his baby book when I got time to put them in there. Now that piece of paper lives in my drawer because the pain I feel in reading it now is almost unbearable. Our son is like an angel - now 9 years old. He brings a smile to everyone's face that he meets and warms their heart. We are getting back some of his milestones slowly and he is learning to write and read. He is extremely smart. I know once his Daddy and I buy that Ipad he is going to soar in his communication.
Hunter has figured out things that neurotypical children have not been able to. His receptive language if 100 %. Although we have had heartache and he has struggled, he continues to amaze us and brings joy that we could have never imagined. He is always happy and only cries if he is sick or tired. We pray everyday for his healing, but we also know God has a plan for him and he is ultimately in God's hands. We would not have it any other way.
For those of you just now facing this journey, the advice we can give you is love your child up, believe in them when other's don't and they will reward you beyond measure. Don't speak in front of your child as though they don't understand...they do, even children that appear very severe - they are smart.
New Braunfels, TX
