AJ's speech delay
I tried to find a thread disscusing this problem, but I couldn't. So.
We got a very rare opportunity of observing the development of a child born in the zombie apocalypse. AJ's physical development seems fine, despite all troubles finding baby formula, vitamins and other stuff that babies need. On the other hand, I'm not sure about his hearing.
First I thought he can be mute, but then again we heard him cry and babble. Now I'm almost certain it has to do with AJ being partly deaf or
hard of hearing.
It's not a hard case (not congenital), because we've seen him kind of understand Clem's words, he can recognize tones of her voice or notice questions when asked. He also calms down when Clementine hums him a song.
But let's get a quick look at his early life:
Rebbecca has experienced continuous stress during her pregnancy: she cheated on her husband and definietly went through hard time when Alvin found out about it -> the group escaped from Howe's and probably never had contact with surviving on their own before) -> they were hiding and worried about Carver coming after them -> Nick's mom got bitten and died, then turned into walker -> they had to escape again, then were taken hostage -> Alvin was killed (determinant) -> Rebbecca had to deal with Carver again -> The list goes on, you got my point.
being inside the horde of zombies and experiencing your friends killed is the one of the most stressful situations I can think of
AJ was born too early (Rebbecca: "The baby isn't supposed to be born yet!"); which could be caused by the stress listed above
Rebbecca took strong painkillers (few of them I think)
birth was quite long and complicated, even causing AJ to be mistaken as a stillborn
in very first moment of its life baby has experienced extreme cold and lack of proper birth treatment (I believe evolution made humans dependent on vaccinations and supporting the immune system)
AJ was exposed to loud noise, he was literally in the middle of the shooting! Rebbecca was shot while holding him, and since newborns are hypersensitive, this could easly caused problems.
AJ was exposed to a lot of things which could forever damaged his psyche. Obviously he can have more problems than just hearing, or his hearing can be connected to mental disorders, such as autism. IMO this would be realistic and logical. Then again AJ can be perfectly healthy and only has slight alalia, which is speech delay.
Leave your thoughts below.
Comments
He hasn't been exposed to Sesame Street like the rest of us, so ofcourse he's going to be a bit slower.
But more likely, Telltale is saving his first words for some emotional scene that will make us cry.
He is not deaf, he can hear and recognize voices or tones.
Deafness has pretty much been debunked due to Clem humming to him and calming him down. I'm guessing it might be autism if it is anything at all.
The fact they brought it up though means it is an issue.
Singing clamed him down in the trailer...he's not deaf
He's just the quiet type. I mean, he spent most of his time in season 2 nicely quiet in spite of being a newborn without food surrounded by zombies. The strong silent type. Maybe he's shy.
Bet $5 they're going to be cliche and make AJ call Clementine "Mom".
If Alvin is really his father it will more than likely be something food related.
My heart would melt!
I think he's just quiet, like Alvin.
I do however feel like he has a sixth sense about things, because when he DOES talk/cry it is during some pretty important moments. He is bawling his eyes out when the car crashes and Kenny is doomed, he gets freaked out by walkers, and most importantly he seems really uncomfortable around Ava, especially when she mentions her group and shows off her brand. Strangely enough I am trusting a baby's intuition about people and situations.
In the Wellington ending he draws a picture of Clem and if you guess wrong - he shakes his head and points at you; if you guess right - he nods and points at you, so I don't agree with this theory that he is deaf. I bet that he will start talking at some emotional moment.
We don't really know is he Alvin's son though.
Telltale simply couldn't find a voice actor just yet. Patience please.
telltale hq
"Your script sir"
looks at script
"dudu" "poop" "goof" "clam"
I agree, let's hope TT won't forget about it. They tend to do too often.
Why happens if you stay quiet....?
I feel like this wouldn't make a lot of sense if they did tho. It's usually that word because moms constantly go "Say mommy~" lmao.
It's probably going to be a variation of "Clem" that AJ can pronounce, which would be sweet/sad anyways xD
Personally speaking, my brother was born deaf, so maybe I can make some input here. I was seven when he was born, and when he turned two and still refused to speak other than making slight whimpers and moans, he couldn't form words. My parents were very worried. You could tell him something by pointing, touching, and overly mouthing a few words. Raising a deaf child is certainly not easy, and, as you can imagine, my brother was bullied for being deaf. He would cry and cry because he wasn't like the other kids who could hear the voice of a loving mother, or the tunes of a good country song. I can't imagine a deaf chI'll growing up in a world like Clementine's. Clem doesn't know ASL and will probs have to come up with some other system of communication.
Sorry I just feel like crying when I think of AJ being deaf.
It's a interesting twist on the story though. I don't think a deaf character has ever been seen in the walking dead.
Its probably just so his first words are at some big moment.
The very fact characters keep mentioning that makes me believe it will be relevant in next episodes.
I'm sorry for your brother.
The fact that hearing problems exist normally in todays society, adds another brick to this theory. Like you said, it would be very interesting to see. We had people injured, maimed, psychically broken, et., yet blind or deaf people struggle with the apocalypse just like everybody else.
He might not be completely deaf, just hard of hearing.
Looks really similar to Alvin though.
Trauma, maybe? Maybe he has some mental problem, like, he's retarder (just a little) and it will take longer for him to talk? Idk.
I thought AJ shouts out something in the Clem alone flashback of ep1?
That would be heart warming.
Rashid and Vanessa.
They already have a baby voice actor!
.
Alvin Junior's First Words
[David and Gabe stand next to each other.]
[Alvin rests in Clementine's arms.]
Alvin: [In S2 Alvin's voice.] That's funny. He looks just like you!
Alvin: [Claps and giggles in his usual baby voice.]
I can bet it's just that Telltale didn't find a voice actor that can make a baby voice lol.
Is there still a debate on whose baby it is because in my opinion it kinda seems obvious to me .w.
I'd like to note that giving the painkillers to Rebecca is entirely determinant, as either they can be left with Arvo, given to Luke, or given to Kenny.
I nearly choked
AJ is fine, I think. I doubt they'd have him be deaf or on the autistic scale, even if it would be interesting to see. He's stressed, he won't have as much encouragement as regular kids not in the apocalypse would get, on account of he and Clem always on the run and what have you. Even Kenny even says something along the lines of, "Einstein didn't talk until he was four, and look at him." My cousin was almost three before she started talking, now she's a smart and healthy five year old who'll talk all the time in the right company, if a little shy around strangers.
They'll have his first words come up at some point, and I'll bet you anything it'll be something like "Clem" in an emotional situation (hopefully not while Clem is dying or something, I'd be a mess).