Progress

Tizzy went for his speech analysis yesterday, and I have to admit I was getting a little nervous about the fact that he has suddenly blossomed conversationally. In the time it’s taken for them to receive the forms and make the appointment with us, he has suddenly started telling me all kinds of profound things like, “This is a heel mama,” pointing to the heel of his sock. “It’s BURSTING out of my shoe!” Pure genius.

I was waiting for the talkin’ to you get when your contractions stop minutes after you arrive to labor and delivery... you know, when the nurse looks at you and your flat fetal monitor and says “Mmm-hmm... you just think you’re in pain now, but you’ll know for sure when it’s actually happening.” This despite the fact that you KNEW you were contracting five minutes before – and that you are not now – and despite the fact that you’ve done this already, less than 21 months before.

A parents pride in their child’s development can be a bit distorted, however, and although he’s conversing more readily, he still needs help.

Watching him sit proudly in his teeny plastic chair, my heart was BURSTING with love for this child, my child, who may not be able to recognize the difference between a newspaper and a magazine, because we read our news online, but could identify nearly every other image presented to him. He was told repeatedly that he was doing an awesome job, which he reported to me mid-session by shouting, “I’m doing AWESOME Mama!”

He did do awesome – and he does need help. He has great cognition, but he has difficulty with spontaneous conversation. He can recite full books and videos, but it’s very difficult for him to hold up his end of a conversation that isn’t scripted. He will frequently give irrelevant answers to questions that he doesn’t know how to answer, as well as make up entirely new words when he can’t access the appropriate ones.

I was sent home with the assignment of documenting his conversations for the next few days, as well as filling out a packet of forms that will better help her diagnose his condition, which she suspects is simply a speech delay. 

Not having had the opportunity to be the fly on the wall at his current school, I was humbled and encouraged by witnessing how much enthusiasm he has for learning, and for pleasing his teachers. It’s so fascinating to watch your child independently navigate the world around them. I have high hopes that this early intervention will help him continue to enjoy school, and give him the tools he will need in order to navigate his way toward adulthood without the frustrations that perhaps would plague him if we were to just let him muddle his way through. The program is sponsored by his home school, which will give him the advantage of having a kindergarten teacher pre-selected to best meet his needs. And its free. I’m feeling very blessed right now.

While we were there, she suggested that she evaluate Zip as well, since he will be turning three in December. She figured if he was having any trouble we could get him started right away. She determined, correctly so, that he’s right on track for his age, and I confided to her that Brad and I had been joking with one another the other night about sending him to be evaluated, and having him turn to her and clearly say, “My mother suggested I speak gibberish for you. After all, how many opportunities are there for FREE preschool? What with the economy and all...”