Apraxia of Speech . Week 35

This week, Ryder was introduced to his new SLP, at the Preschool...more on that later...

Today, he had Private Speech Therapy.  We tried meeting in a different area of the library, and he did really well with the change.

Tangent: A co-worker of mine uses the word "wicked" to describe things she likes, enjoys, thinks are cool/amazing/awesome, etc.  Today, when she used it in conversation, I realized what a good word - albeit a bit strange - it is to describe something...

Ryder's SLP is wicked awesome.  She is so great with Ryder.  I feel like I say it often, but I don't know how to adequately describe how appreciative Patrick and I are of her.  Ryder can be difficult, especially when he is asked to do something he has to work hard at to complete.  Talking, although it seems like such a natural thing, does not come easy for him.  It takes an immense effort from him to talk.  He has to concentrate to produce the correct sounds/words.  And, the SLP works with him through it.  She incorporates his love (infatuation?) for trains.  She encourages his attention to return to her by engaging him in activities, and before he realizes it, he is participating - WHILE he is playing.

No distinct progress to report this week.  Looking at his speech week to week can be difficult, in that there is rarely notable quantities of progress in such a short span.  It's when we look back a few weeks, or months, that we see the change.

I do greatly enjoy when I can capture a moment of therapy in a picture (even if it is just with my camera phone).  Speech Therapy is now, and will continue to be, such a big part of his life.

This week, the flashcards became a train tunnel!

One-step-at-a-time.