Since I made the appointment last week I've been nervous and dreading it. Last night I wasn't going to go, just the mister and lufflump. This morning I decided I had to go, it wasn't about me at all. I had to suck it up and get over my anxiety and go for lufflump. And I did.
Lufflump doesn't talk clearly or in English. He has his own language, says the same 'word' over and over again for the same thing. It was cute when he was younger and we thought he'd grow out of it. He's three next month and we've stopped being in denial that he needs help.
This morning we all bundled into the car and drove in peek hour to the therapists' office. Neither the mister or I knew what to expect.
I was worried that lufflump wouldn't interact or listen to them. I didn't need to worry, he interacted with them I say 'them' because we had two therapists as one was learning straight away. They had some animal finger puppets that he played with straight away. He matched them, got the animal they asked him to and made all the correct animal noises. He couldn't properly say what they were but tried his hardest.
He did get bored with pointing at pictures and playing with cups and spoons. There were cars, a monster and a cool bouncing bee to play with instead. We did have a meltdown when he couldn't take the bouncing bee or Ben 10 monster home but as soon as we dropped him off at daycare that was all forgotten.
We haven't received the assessment yet but we are going back on Monday for weekly visits. They said he has obvious speech delays but it's good that he can make the sounds he needs to, he just needs to learn how to connect those sounds to form words. Other than that he's more than fine.
Tonight, after daycare, I've been making sure to ask him more open questions and sound words out. He tries. He tries so hard and sometimes he says the word perfectly (it was 'star' tonight) but then reverts back to saying it his way.
Over the weekend, he has daycare tomorrow, we'll make sure to sit down and try and do what they did this morning. Sit down and make certain sounds. Say the ABCs over and over again. Bring out the flash cards. Watch TV and talk about what's happening. Ask open questions. Hopefully on Monday we'll be armed with some homework to try and get him forming proper words.
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| Such a boy |
Oh Ames, that is hard, but you'd rather take that step and know yes?
ReplyDeleteJust keep at him. Even if it's correcting him and getting him to repeat it and leaving it at that till next time. He will get there eventually.
Just remember that the alphabet isn't as important as phonetics. Easier to point to, say a letter A and say "a" than this is A etc.
<3
Oh yes definitely worth taking the steps. We are definitely focusing a lot more on his pronunciation and getting him to repeat the words. Oh yes when saying the ABCs I always ask what sound A makes, B makes and so on. It's tricky stuff and definitely teaching me to be patient!
DeleteIt sounds like good news, I think? x
ReplyDeleteDefinitely good news although it would be better if he didn't have a speech problem, of course!
DeleteAmes, he is just gorgeous and what a delight! I would be exactly the same as you, feeling anxious and unsure. Good luck with it all x
ReplyDeleteThanks lovely. Time will tell :)
DeleteI can really relate to what you have described. I have been through this myself with two of my children and am still battling speech delay with my 4 year-old. They have a speech delay called apraxia that my mum also has....she did't receive any treatment and still has trouble (she wishes she had had help when she was younger). You are really doing the right thing getting help for your son...even though it's hard, I know.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like Lufflump but the speechies haven't mentioned that. Guess we'll wait and see, I'm no doctor and have no experience with speech problems. Speech problems are so frustrating for everyone involved! Thank you for the confidence :)
DeleteLike what has already been said focus on the sounds not the letters. Show him his mouth and what it looks like in a mirror when you make sounds....make it fun they will attend for longer. And don't push it! It takes time. If you had've heard my 3 year olds mumble and jumble compared to the 4 1/2 year olds speech today you would be amazed. He still has some way to go but is holding is own or better at school and is less frustrated because he can tell you what he wants!
ReplyDeleteThat's such a good idea, thank you! I wish we'd started it earlier but at least he's getting the help now. Thanks for the advice and confidence :)
DeleteAll good news with Lufflump making sounds and noises. As you said he tries hard and he even said star. Time and effort, you will get there. Hugs sweet mumma, you're doing a fab job.
ReplyDeleteThanks lovely. It sure is testing my patience but it's all worth it :)
DeleteGood luck guys! Flynn hasnt had any kind of speech problems so i dont know exactly what you guys are going through, but as you said if he does his best and you guys keep up with the "homework" i bet he gets there in no time!
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy!
DeleteHe looks like such a character. You have made the most important first step in getting him assessed and sounds like you're more than prepared to put in the work to get him to where he needs to be. You are doing a great job.
ReplyDeleteHe definitely is a character! Sure are prepared to put in the work, it's tough but more than worth it. Thank you!
DeleteGood on you for going to the appointment. I get the scared feeling and I think you are so brave for pushing through that. I'd be so interested to hear more about what you do with Lufflump. My son has some very, very minor speech delays (in the way that most three year old active boys are slightly delayed), some ideas on basic things to help develop his speech would be great!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Check out http://savemumsanity.com/tag/speech-therapy/ for some awesome tips :)
DeleteGood on you for taking that step. It would be scary but at least you are looking for answers. Rachel x
ReplyDeleteThanks lovely!
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