"Momma! Fi scnalfoe bakcoe wofjxkay!"
"What?!?"
Huge sigh..."Momma! Fi scnalfoe bakco wofjxkay!"
Huge sigh..."Momma! Fi scnalfoe bakco wofjxkay!"
"What Bubba? Momma doesn't understand."
"Ugh! Momma!!!!"
Last year at this time he would only say Momma, Dada, and Papa clearly so you could understand him. He had other words that he would say such as fish but he would only say the f and the i. I knew what he meant only because I am his mom.
I was worried about him. My husband on the other hand was not. He had researched speech delayed children and he said that once D3 turns 3 then we should be worried. To me that didn't make that much of a difference because it was July and he turned 3 in September. If he would have just turned two I would of agreed to give it some time.
I took him down to our local early education center and had them screen him. He wouldn't even talk to the speech therapist. D3 wanted nothing to do with him. It didn't help of course that there was a playground outside that we walked by 4 times already. The few words he did say for him he could tell that he did not say the consonants at the end of his words.
Ding ding ding! The little light bulb went off in my head. I looked back as I was sitting there and thought "Holy Smokes you are so right he totally does that!" I did not tell the speech therapist that of course but I did say "I had never noticed it until you pointed it out." That totally sounds more professional and not like I am some crazy mom. Which I am sure he works with some.
He went on to tell me that they have a rule where they cannot complete an actual screening unless he is in preschool. I am thinking what the heck! He is only 2 and way too young for preschool! How are we going to get him the help he needs?!? Thank goodness I didn't voice any of those thoughts even though I am sure I was looking at him like he was from another planet.
He was so kind to me as he explained that they have a program at a local church that takes children starting at 2 1/2 and he qualifies because of his speech delay. I was like crap how much is this going to cost us since we are already paying for SJ to go to preschool. He went on to tell me that it was FREE!
He got me the paperwork and told me enrollment was Thursday...it was Tuesday...and school started in two weeks.
Um ok. No matter the amount of super mommy powers I have there was no way I was going to get a physical appointment and his shots updated in two weeks. But guess what I did!
He was screened two weeks after he had started school and they started speech the next Tuesday.
It has been a struggle! D3 wants nothing to do with the flash cards they gave us to work with him. He screams NO every time I walk in the direction of where we keep them. I tried having him work on his words when we were going through our everyday life but that little stinker knew what I was doing and refused to say the words!
His teacher told us not to worry about it. He was getting speech twice a week at school and was doing great. I thought she was crazy but I didn't push him. I would pick words I knew he was working on from the books we were reading and movies he wanted to watch. I would repeat his sentence but the correct way verses the way he would say it even if it was cute. Boy was that hard when he was being adorable!
I'm not sure when it was, but one day he started saying simple sentences. He still leaves the consonants off of some of his words. He was trying though and I am so proud of him for it!
We had an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) meeting in the spring to get him ready for the next year. They had decided that he needed a break over the summer to let his brain recharge since he had worked so hard. I was a little weary about that decision but they are the professionals.
They were right.
The second week he was off school we were at the park with another mommy friend. I don't remember what he said but she turned to me and said "Oh my goodness! That is the first time I have understood every word that he said!" I almost started crying!
His words aren't perfect.
He is trying.
He gets frustrated.
He makes progress.
He takes steps back.
He makes me proud.
Today's blog is part of the Mummy & Us link up from Makenzie Glanville's Reflections from Me blog. I am so excited to be asked to be part of two linkys in one week!
I had speech therapy as a young child and it really did work. By the time I was six I had caught up and now my speech is perfect! I understand your experience. You can only take one day at a time but the best way to develop speech in my experience is through play! -(As an early years teacher) and someone who had speech problems too!
ReplyDeleteAngela from www.daysinbed.com
I full heartedly believe in the speech therapy he is getting. I love his therapist as he suffered from a speech impediment as well so he understands what D3 is going through. Sometimes my mommy heart wishes it wasn't so hard for him.
DeleteWow, gave me a tear in my eye. It is the second post I have read about speech delay and both have reduced me to tears. I am glad that you are getting the support you need and that things are moving in the right direction for you. Little steps at a time. Wishing you all the best #Mummy&Us
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words! He has come a long way and I am so proud of him for everything he has done. I do know we have a LONG way to go.
DeleteWhen my son went for his kindergarten "interview" they told me that I HAD to correct his L and R pronunciation. The boy can read 30 sight words but they are upset that his L and R's sound funny right now. Needless to say we have been working on it here and there this summer and they are sounding much better. I am visiting from #mummy&us.
ReplyDeleteWow props on his reading skills! I am so happy that his L and R pronunciations are getting better! I know how tough it is and how much of a toll it can take on you while you are helping them.
DeleteI am so happy you linked up thank you! You are such a great writer! This is such a greta post too as it will help so many people going through similar issues. My son Adam is 5 and has just started school and it was picked up by his teacher that he isn't where he should be with speech. I can understand him but he is missing some sounds. He will start speech therapy soon. You should be so proud of your son, glad he is improving xx
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I am hoping my story will help others understand that they aren't alone. Lots of people go through this. I really do think speech therapy is such an amazing thing! Good luck with your journey! I'm sure Adam will do amazing!
DeleteSpeech therapy is amazing. I'm so pleased to hear your son's speech is improving. It must be lovely watching him develop! #Mummy&Us Love Noah & the Girls
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing to watch him grow and develop! He is one smart cookie. I am not sure if I could have handled him cause I am sure he will talk circles around me.
DeleteThis is such a good post and will help so many people. It's so good to hear there's help out there and it's working. You and your son are doing so well, you should be so proud x #mummy&us
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I am very proud of him! He has come such a long way!
DeleteOh gosh, you must be so proud of him. It sounds like your D3 is working really hard. It is tough as a parent to know when to worry or when to ask for help. Well done for being brave and asking for a professional's advice. You must be so pleased that you went to see that speech therapist. Thanks so much for linking up to #SundaysStars. Hugs Mrs H xxxx
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I am so proud of him! I took him to the store Saturday morning for quick run to grab his brother diapers and we actually had a full conversation. I understood every word he said instead of having to repeat things to see if that is what he meant. I almost started crying in the store.
DeleteKristen