Mom Had Almost Accepted That She Would Never Hear Her 5 Y.O. Daughter’s Voice, But Then A Magical Thing Happened
When a child says their first word, it’s an event to remember. But when a girl with nonverbal autism does it, it’s a reason to ugly cry in a parking lot. And that’s exactly what happened to Briana Blankenship from Athens, Alabama. Doctors said her daughter, Taylor, might never speak. But just days ago, the 5-year-old defied the odds and proved them wrong.
“I had basically accepted that I would never hear her voice,” Briana told Bored Panda. At the moment, medics are still testing Taylor, but they have already diagnosed her with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Sensory Processing Disorder. The first one is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how a person acts and interacts with others, communicates, and learns.
“We communicate with limited sign language and gestures,” Briana said. “We also have an iPad that is locked so that the only program she can access is a communication program called LAMP. LAMP is what she uses to complete work in school and because of this, she is excellent at spelling especially for a 5-year-old.” Taylor is also in the “inclusion” Kindergarten class (and is going to 1st grade with the same class), receives occupational therapy to help with her fine motor skills, and sensory therapy. “Her dad and I also pay for her to go to gymnastics every week and that helps with following instructions and it also has helped her stop her tiptoe walking that a lot of kids with Autism do.”
However, when Briana was taking her daughter to a gymnastics class, the impossible happened. “We were on our way there – running late – so I had to go through the closest drive-thru to grab her something that she would actually eat. We rarely eat fast food so she recognized that she was about to get her favorite food, French fries, and started getting excited and giggling in the back seat. That’s when I heard her say it. I whipped my head around and asked “Did you just say Momma?” and she looked at me and said it again.”
“I was so excited that I put the car in park right there in the line, dug my phone out of my purse, and started the video that has now been seen around the world. Once I stopped recording it hit me what just happened and I broke down into tears. I could tell by the look on the cashiers face that she wanted to know what was wrong but I couldn’t speak thru the tears.”
“I went and parked my car after getting our food and immediately called my husband and then my mother. I didn’t have time to call anyone else before class started so I quickly posted the video to my Facebook page and tagged our family in it.” Instantly, people flooded Briana’s inbox. “We have had so many messages from people that we are giving them hope for their loved ones, or that we are making them feel less alone in the daily battles of parenting a nonverbal child. It has also opened up the conversation for many people. I’ve had dozens of messages from people saying things like “Please don’t judge me but I have no idea what Autism is and that it could cause someone to have the inability to speak. Where can I learn more.”
Continue scrolling and check out the emotional moment!
More info: Facebook
Briana Blankenship is raising a daughter who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Sensory Processing Disorder
“I had basically accepted that I would never hear her voice”
But just a few days ago, something special happened
“We were <…> running late [to a gymnastics class], so I had to go through the closest drive-thru to grab her something that she would actually eat”
“We rarely eat fast food so she recognized that she was about to get her favorite food, French fries, and started getting excited and giggling in the back seat”
“That’s when I heard her say it”
“Mommy” – “Once I stopped recording it hit me what just happened and I broke down into tears”
Moved by the video, people were quick to react to Taylor’s story
And some even shared the similar experiences they’ve had
And these are the stories I wanna read on Bored Panda, instead the ones with hideous teeth nails and that kind of stuff.
There are days I wish my kids wouldn't talk....but then I think of this and realize how lucky I am to hear every scream, snarky comment, words of protest and I love yous. So happy for this family!
How lovely. By far the best thing I've seen today. She looks such a happy little girl.
a beautiful story! I hope she carries on and this improvement and surprise you even more!
Here I am, CMEO again. My son Joe was 5 years old and was not only non-verbal, but appeared to have hearing problems. He did not respond to his own name, or even respond to loud noises. We took him to a doctor, and his hearing was fine. My son is now 39 years old and won't STOP talking (seriously, a compulsive talker). Sadly, his autism was not diagnosed until he was in his late teens. He never received the understanding and special learning services this child is receiving. All thru school, his "label" was "Emotionally Disturbed." Can you even imagine? I'm so happy for this family. They live in an age where people are more aware, accepting and understanding about ALL disabilities.
The joy from both of them is catching. I just came back again for another fix.
Half of my family is Autistic, including myself. Please, never give up on a child with Autism!!! We are incredible people, verbal or non verbal!!!
I love it when my autistic sister just looks directly at my eyes and starts giggling. I love, LOVE those moments.
I was reading the intro to this story and literally stopped breathing when I read "tiptoe walking that a lot of kids with autism do". Mama STILL calls me a ridiculous nickname because I was a toe-walker till I was 7 or so. I still live in my head. I still have sensory processing issues. Several of my friends in the psychology field have asked me if I've ever been tested. Wow. And HOW VERY WONDERFUL for this mother to hear her daughter speak!!
I'm so happy! I have autistic tendencies myself, and there are days where I don't talk at all, so this is reminding me of my own young self! <3
Thank you so much for sharing this truly special moment with us all. I wish you many many more such wonderful gifts with your beautiful daughter.
first comment followed by the story. "neural typical parents" b***h, catch the feels appreciate your kid and move on.
You have such a beautiful daughter I am so happy that you got to hear her voice. She seems like a lovely person to get to know
And these are the stories I wanna read on Bored Panda, instead the ones with hideous teeth nails and that kind of stuff.
There are days I wish my kids wouldn't talk....but then I think of this and realize how lucky I am to hear every scream, snarky comment, words of protest and I love yous. So happy for this family!
How lovely. By far the best thing I've seen today. She looks such a happy little girl.
a beautiful story! I hope she carries on and this improvement and surprise you even more!
Here I am, CMEO again. My son Joe was 5 years old and was not only non-verbal, but appeared to have hearing problems. He did not respond to his own name, or even respond to loud noises. We took him to a doctor, and his hearing was fine. My son is now 39 years old and won't STOP talking (seriously, a compulsive talker). Sadly, his autism was not diagnosed until he was in his late teens. He never received the understanding and special learning services this child is receiving. All thru school, his "label" was "Emotionally Disturbed." Can you even imagine? I'm so happy for this family. They live in an age where people are more aware, accepting and understanding about ALL disabilities.
The joy from both of them is catching. I just came back again for another fix.
Half of my family is Autistic, including myself. Please, never give up on a child with Autism!!! We are incredible people, verbal or non verbal!!!
I love it when my autistic sister just looks directly at my eyes and starts giggling. I love, LOVE those moments.
I was reading the intro to this story and literally stopped breathing when I read "tiptoe walking that a lot of kids with autism do". Mama STILL calls me a ridiculous nickname because I was a toe-walker till I was 7 or so. I still live in my head. I still have sensory processing issues. Several of my friends in the psychology field have asked me if I've ever been tested. Wow. And HOW VERY WONDERFUL for this mother to hear her daughter speak!!
I'm so happy! I have autistic tendencies myself, and there are days where I don't talk at all, so this is reminding me of my own young self! <3
Thank you so much for sharing this truly special moment with us all. I wish you many many more such wonderful gifts with your beautiful daughter.
first comment followed by the story. "neural typical parents" b***h, catch the feels appreciate your kid and move on.
You have such a beautiful daughter I am so happy that you got to hear her voice. She seems like a lovely person to get to know
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