Speech

This month marks the one year anniversary of Carson going up to the University of Utah Speech and Hearing clinic for speech therapy. So, I decided that it was probably time to actually "document" it. One year ago, when Carson started attending therapy he was just starting Kindergarten and had a 15 word vocabulary (and those 15 words were only recognizable to those who spent a lot of time with Carson). Now, 1 year later, our miracle boy is speaking not just sentences...but whole paragraphs! He is in the 1st grade and is learning to read and write...just like other kids his age! We are awed and humbled by his progress! The clinic director up at the U of U told me that most kids with apraxia typically spent about 3 years in therapy to get to the point that they can function at a level close to their peers. She said that she wouldn't be surprised if Carson cut that time in half! He works with grad students at the U and they have been wonderful with him...adapting therapy sessions around his interests and hobbies (in order to get him to "work" for the whole hour). I am so grateful for all that they do for him! His attitude, behavior, social skills...and so much more has changed drastically in the last year! We are so proud of him. Back in January, Trent came downstairs one night after tucking the kids into bed. He had tears in his eyes - when I asked him what was up he said, "I just had my first real 5 minute conversation with my son...we actually conversed back and forth for 5 whole minutes." This is something that we have prayed for and dreamed of...but at times thought would never happen.

This week at therapy, I took the camera to take a few pictures. The pics aren't that great because I was taking them from my side of a one-way mirror (where I'm able to observe the whole session). Carson is working with his therapist for this semester, Anne. Notice the papers that she has taped to the mirror - they are the "rules" and a list of activities for the session. Through trial and error, they have learned that Carson needs a task list and the list of rules in a place where he can see them. It's also funny, because each semester, he gets a new therapist and there is always a "testing" period during the first few sessions. The clinic director (who observes with me) and I always laugh, because he trys to "pull" the same stuff with every new student...seeing how much they will let him get away with. Usually about 20 minutes into the first session with a new therapist, Carson will stop being cooperative, fold his arms and say, "i want my mom." They have learned (and been warned that he will do this) to just tell him that he will see his mom when they are finished. That's all it takes...he says ok and gets back to work...he just has to see if they'll give in...and then he's back to work! I just laugh every time because he is so typical (and yet in no way a typical little boy). I love him so much...even though he runs me ragged every day!