Ed was clearly a social phobic , with an inordinate fear of speaking in social and public situation , who was hiding behind and exacerbating his expressive language disorder.
No amount of traditional language stimulation would help with his social anxiety and his characteristic coping behavior of avoidance.
Only after weeks of discussion and assignments for reducing his fears did Ed take his first filed trip , ever , with his class.
It was the beginning of a long journey , which has continued.