The “B” Word

Charlie has finished her second week of the new speech therapy program today. The program is a good fit for us. I love it.

The commute to each session is a little under an hour. It sounds terrible but it isn’t. To make best use of the time and gas, I plan an activity that is on the way. So far, Charlie has been to the zoo, a book fair, the children’s museum, and the park before speech therapy. Sometimes, we stop for lunch or run errands. After each session, she naps on the way home.

Instead of feeling bad for me, the person I feel sorry for is the student therapist. Charlie is full of energy and curiosity. That is a nice way of saying she gets into everything without a moment’s rest. In addition, the student therapist is being observed and critiqued by her instructor via a video camera link up. The situation seems like it would be a lot of pressure.

Nevertheless, the student rises to the challenge and does a great job with Charlie (and me). I don’t feel obligated to participate in the sessions (although, I do stay in the room for Charlie’s comfort). Yet, I’m not discouraged from providing input, asking questions, or helping. The student does an excellent job coaxing those elusive consonant sounds out of Charlie’s mouth and teaching her how to use PECS.

Lately, at home, I have noticed a difference in Charlie’s speech. She slows down and tries to say words instead of the usual limited babble or closed mouth sounds.

Tonight, at dinner, Charlie said, “Ball” (prior to this she used ba ba for anything beginning with ba). Yes, it was more gluttural than it should have been and it was obvious that it required great effort. But, she did it on her own volition. And to us, it was huge!

Charlie plays with Kaia in the backyard.