[Source: The Boston Globe]

Lee and Mary-Helen Black had nearly given up hope their son would speak.

Physically, Tripp was fine, crawling, standing, and walking on schedule. But language eluded him. Lee Black vividly recalled when Tripp, nearly 2, sat in his highchair and tried to sing a children’s song. He started to say “head,’’ then faltered, as if the word had crumbled out of his grasp.

“I watched him freeze,’’ his father said. “That was the ultimate moment.’’

Tripp was later diagnosed with autism, a disorder that can impair children's ability to speak. Despite years of therapy, he did not talk.

Then last fall, at age 8, he began an experimental program that coaxes speech using singing, movement, and imitation. After 10 weeks, he could say “mama,’’ “dada,’’ “bubbles,’’ and “bye.’’

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