Ryder had 3 speech sessions this week. He went to PCMC for the first time in a month (we do it every other week, and skipped the last one). Private Speech Therapy is weekly. And, Early Intervention had to be moved up to fit within the district's school year.
Ryder's participation at PCMC was minimal. Patrick and I are struggling with making the decision that is best for Ryder. He never has really participated consistently with PCMC; however, their formalized structure (as well as reputation from being a part of PCMC) has been hard for us to let go of. PCMC has a very unique, structured, well-organized approach to the therapy. They give us specific assignments to work on between sessions.
I haven't heard from the Private Speech Therapist (her response is usually given to me within a day or two, but when it isn't, I have to wait until Monday). However, the Therapist has been consistently pleased with the therapy. In conversation with us, Ryder reacts positively to attending with her.
Early Intervention is going well. We started on a rocky road with the Therapist, but in the last two months, we have been so pleased with his progress. That means, it took nearly 7 months of Therapy before he made consistent progress in his participation. It's sad that this therapy will end with Ryder's 3rd birthday - only 3 (hopefully 4!) sessions are left.
You see?! It's hard. Early Intervention is the only reasonably priced therapy (it has to be, it's done through public education). The other two are much (MUCH) more. We don't want to give up on PCMC if going just one more time is going to be what makes it "click" for Ryder. But, we also don't want to waste time, energy, and money attending if just doing the Private Therapist is the better fit. Then, we also have to keep in mind he will be in Speech Preschool. While not 100% of his time there (8 hours/week) will be speech-focused, a lot of it will be. But, when he gains the Speech Preschool, he loses the one-on-one Early Intervention. And, we want to give him the most therapy that is beneficial.
On a side note - Patrick and I have enrolled Ryder in a local daycare one time per week, the day he will not be attending Speech Preschool in the fall. With his school ending, Patrick and I both feel strongly that Ryder's interaction with peers is a vital puzzle piece that is needed for Ryder. With such delayed verbal communication, we want to expose him to situations he will encounter regularly (with peers), where he needs to communicate. Ideally - this would mean increased verbal communication. But, we are realistic to know that this might not be the case. That finding non-verbal cues might be what happens. And, that is okay too.
With all this "information", I should be sure to include that Ryder is making progress. He still lacks vital sounds (right now we especially notice "k"). But, he is correcting some sounds he said incorrectly previously, and is increasing his verbal vocabulary. I know parents with kids Ryder's age have lists (and lists) of funny stories about things their kids said, but we are just starting to get that with Ryder.
Ryder: Eyes opin (as I'm helping him get dressed)
Me: Yes, you're eyes are open.
R: Ne, geen eyes.
M: Yes, you have green eyes, but I think they might be turning brown.
R: OH NO!
M: It's okay. Look, mom has brown eyes.
R: OH NO! Poop bown.
M: Poop is brown?
R: YES! Poop BOWN!
So...yes...world, my eyes are brown. And, if you talk with Ryder, they're "poop brown".
One-step-at-a-time.
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