Speech & Language

August 2020 

There is  A LOT to say on this topic but what is on my mind right now is this...

It's Sunday morning and I woke up early, before everyone else and came downstairs to make coffee. With my morning cup made, I settled on the couch to do some of this blog writing.  After a time, Liam came downstairs. He's so sweet in the morning, always comes to hug me, or let me kiss and cuddle him.  We're having a hot spell, and Liam is in his new Star Wars pajamas perfect for this heat.  He has "Covid hair", meaning it is LONG!  

The printer wasn't connecting well, so I couldn't print a coloring page for him so he asked me to draw one.  I drew "Johnny" and then he asked to set up a coloring video to guide him with the colors. But what I heard was not very clear, or perhaps I wasn't paying much attention. So I said, "I'm sorry sweetie I didn't understand you, can you say that again?" 

His eyes immediately got wet and he started to say something again, but in this sensitive, soft spoken and sad voice.  And it hit me, I think he is feeling strong emotions related to his speech not being understood sometimes.  This breaks my heart.  If there is something I don't want to happen, it's for his self esteem to be be affected by his challenges and abilities.  

January 2021

I've had some issues with the blog and have a lot of unfinished posts, and I am just now getting back into it...

So...speech.  I spend so much time thinking about Liam's speech because of my own fears I think. Fears that not being understood will affect his self esteem, fears that it will be harder to make friends, or he will have fewer opportunities.  The 3 of su have gotten so used to interpreting for Liam, in a way.  As we talk with others he will say something and I think we wonder if others can understand him so we will repeat him in a more or less natural way: "Yes, we went hiking on the mountain today." after he's just basically said the same thing.

I can hear him in class virtually, doing all of third grade with a teacher he is not seeing in person, but getting to know through Zoom. I am amazed and impressed at his willingness to participate and answer questions, as well as his teachers ability to get to know him and overall come across as warm and fun.  Sometimes I can tell she didn't catch what he said, but that happens here with his own family as well.