Say Wha?

Say What

Tell me what you see.

I see a very bored 5 year old yet again proving to everyone that yes indeed, she can hear us.  No fear of the little booth, no fear of the ear plugs.  She's been there before and she's had worse trips here.  I see a kid who is telling them "flash your signs, make me raise my hand to the beeping sounds with the last bit of dignity I have left today so I can go out to lunch with my Mom."

I don't believe in tagging every kid out there, but if it helps them get the services they need and their education can be better served, then sign me up.  If having a kid tested for something to rule out any possibility that they are not getting the full support they need at school, then sign me up.

I keep telling my gal that SHE is the one with the amazing patience and the incredible sense of humor and I hope she never loses it.  The hardest day to date with her, thru it all was the day that she tried to inquire what was the matter with her.  The obvious answer is "absolutely nothing."

The reason you may not think she hears well... it's because she's not listening.  It's hard when you're out of practice, it's harder when no one gives you enough time to answer and it's just plain frustrating when people just don't get it.  She's smart enough to know when to engage in conversation based on whether or not she feels comfortable that you will have the ability to talk to her.  She's also smart enough not to show her cards when she feels challenged by flashing an amazing smile. The kid amazes me.  Look out speech apraxia - you've met your match.

Now for my rantings on Speech and Language:

Speech and language disorders are so very common in typical children, but even more pronounced in little ones who started out too early.  KNOW YOUR THERAPIST.  KNOW YOUR SIGNS.  Do your homework - no one knows your child better than you do.  Sometimes you have to dance the dance to get things done, but never lose focus.  An IEP is not a be all, end all.  No one can figure out a child in a few hours.  We are their biggest advocates.  A parent's instinct is no joke.

http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/childsandl.htm

If you suspect that something is odd, even at an early age, check it out.  If you think the answer you've received isn't suffice, then keep hunting and do your due dili.  By the time we figured out what the real deal was, we were already doing the right things purely out of necessity.  We knew how to speak the language of the therapists so we could object or agree.  This is way way way important as they enter school age in setting up the appropriate classroom support.  Not all speech and language programs are equal.  All I know is the kid in the paperwork is not the kid in the classroom..  don't be fooled.