Here we go again...

Little Dude (my youngest) has a speech delay.  Yup.  That's right.  Another child with a speech delay. 

I'll admit I noticed it earlier than I noticed my daughter's.  Unfortunately I was in denial and held off on calling early intervention (EI) for a couple of months.  I heard the same things from family and friends that I heard the first time around; "His brother talks for him."  Only this time, I also heard "He's a boy.  They are always a little slower to talk."  And my personal favorite, "He's probably just imitating his sister."

Shortly after he turned 2, I finally reached our EI department.  They came out promptly to test him and ask a boatload of questions I've answered before.  Again, I had to explain repeatedly that he can hear perfectly fine. There are no concerns there.  The only time he "can't" hear is when he chooses not to.  (He is two after all.)

With my daughter's Apraxia diagnosis, the EI people seemed to listen to me a little more this time around and were very careful when taking notes on his speech development.  At the end of the appointment, they told me they would be in touch, but they were recommending that he receive speech therapy services.  A month later, Little Dude started receiving his weekly visits from Miss K.

It's hard to believe it's been nearly 6 months since he started his speech therapy.  Sadly there hasn't been much improvement.  In fact, I've noticed that there are words he used to say that he no longer says.  He's using sounds and gestures more often.  I know a lot of that is probably because he's frustrated and can't say what's on his mind.  On the other hand, I don't know that we are doing all we can for Little Dude, so I just scheduled an appointment with a private SLP.  I think I'll call her Rock Star.  That's what she is for kiddos with speech problems.  She diagnosed my daughter with Apraxia when everyone was telling us it was a delay.  And by everyone, I mean EI, the school system, the SLPs at our hospital's speech clinic.  Everyone.  I learned about Rock Star through a good friend.  My gut was telling me Little Dude has Apraxia like his sister.  Now I'm not as sure.  I'll admit it.  I'm a little scared about what I might learn at this appointment, but I need to move out of this place called Denial.  It might keep me sane for a little while, but it's certainly no good for Little Dude.

Crap vs. Clap

If you have a child with a speech disorder, you know the struggles as you try to communicate.  She can't get the words out correctly and you can't understand what she's trying to say.  It can lead to some interesting conversations!

As I was working on beading a necklace with my daughter, she looked up suddenly and said (what sounded like) "Who crapped in my bathroom?"  I was beyond startled by these words from my angelic looking daughter, so I composed myself and asked the usual question...what did you say??

She repeated herself.  "Who crapped in MY bathroom?"

I looked at her with a frown and explained that we don't say words like that.  Puzzled, she said "crap?" and proceeded to c-l-a-p her hands.  Ahhhh... the lightbulb flashed!  She had been asking me who "clapped" in her bathroom.  Her older brother had gone into the bathroom and for some unknown reason clapped his hands together.

Turning my misunderstanding into a learning opportunity, I modeled the way to move your mouth as you say the c-l blend and we practiced saying the word clap over and over and over until..yes!  She had it!

We practiced this morning.  Perfect words.  Unfortunately, in her pride to show of her new word to Grandpa when he showed up, she looked at him and said "Crap" loud and clear and with a beautiful smile.  Imagine HIS surprise!  I quickly explained what happened, modeled the word for her again and she proceeded to say the word correctly. 

Life with Apraxia has it's ups and downs. this week has been a rough week with a sick child, overloads at work and a broken garage door.  Hearing my little girl say "clap" made me forget all the bad things and brought a little needed joy into my life.

The Fascinating World of Preschoolers

Today my daughter begged to go outside. It was bitterly cold so the answer from Dad was "no". She begged and pleaded until he finally gave in while I was absorbed in another task.

She got herself ready and went outside. My husband told me I needed to look out the window because she was making snow angels. Yup. There in the snow was my adorable little angel, waving her arms and legs as she lay in the snow. The smile on her face was beautiful.

She didn't stay outside long. Just long enough to enjoy the beauty of the snow and get some fresh air. As she came inside, I asked if she was all done and she replied that her hands were too cold to stay outside. I began to help her take off her snow gear and that's when I discovered she got dressed for playing outside by herself. Without help from Dad.

I took off her lightweight knit gloves, all caked in snow and ice and I cringed. Her fingers were red and cold but she was babbling and enjoying the moment because she got her way and got to go outside to play. As I helped her off with her boots I cringed again - no socks. As I proceeded to help her with her coat, I was glad to see that although she had chosen pants that were much too lightweight for playing in the snow, at least she had on a long sleeve shirt.

As she stepped away from the pile of cold weather gear and the puddles of melting snow, she began to take off the rest of her clothes and strip down to her bathing suit. Yes, a bathing suit.

I took a moment to compose myself and then asked her about this interesting clothing choice. "Mommy, I need it for my pretend lake."

I watched as she walked to the living room, climbed onto the couch and then jumped as if she was jumping off the side of a pool. She laughed gleefully and proceeded to run around in the "water". I will never cease to be amazed at the fascinating and imaginative world of children.