SPEECH! SPEECH! SPEECH!
First and foremost I must admit to you what a horrible mother I am. Little Bug has not had speech therapy except for what he gets at school. When we lived in Oregon our insurance didn't cover it. And neither did our budget. When we moved here we had the same insurance, but I was lazy. The budget was a little more flexible, but he was doing fine with what he was getting at school. So I didn't think to much about it. Till now. We now have insurance with Hubby's work that covers 50 appointments with a speech therapist each year. So, being the horribly good mother that I am, we now have a speech therapist for Little Bug. And she is awesome! Totally and completely awesome! She pushed and prodded. She listened to me and then, instead of throwing everything I had said aside, she used that information! What? Someone who listens to the mom?? I didn't know these people existed! Maybe she's an alien...
We walked in and the first thing you see is a mural from "Where the Wild Things Are". It's this picture and it covers the entire wall!
She shares office space with an occupational therapist and it's the perfect set up for a sensory seeking kid like Little Bug! There is a swing and a rope ladder attached to the ceiling. There are HUGE exercise balls for the kids to sit and bounce on. Toys and books abound, but it's all organized and very well put together. It was wonderful. As I sat there I heard my Little Bug say "Go", "What's that?", "Choo choo", "No", and several other things. I am kicking myself! Why didn't we do this sooner? What was my problem? I think that part of the problem was a speech therapist that we had through the school when we were in Oregon. She set crazy goals for him that were unrealistic. Most of the time it led to him sitting at a table crying. It was very counterproductive. I couldn't see any reason to PAY someone to have him sit at a table and cry. I can do that on my own for free. I feel very guilty that I didn't get past my own feelings sooner. But, I have done it now. So.... "Let the wild rumpus start!"
10 comments:
You are beating yourself up unnecessarily! How could you possibly know that such a wonderful speech therapist even existed...especially considering your previous experiences...YIKES! You're a good mom, and I'm so happy for you and Little Bug! :D
I LOOOVE "Where the Wild Things Are"...I always enjoyed reading it to my kids and acting like the wild things...roaring my terrible roars and gnashing my terrible teeth and rolling my terrible eyes! I'm keeping a copy of it in my bookcase for the grandchildren I hope to have some day! :D
Are you sure your state won't cover early intervention speech? Illinois is great with free speech therapy. Just suggesting.
Glad his sessions are going well!
when Lean needed speech it was going to be $400.00 a month to have someone smile at her and say "can you say bubble? say bubble"
Paying someone to frustrate your child is nuts. We did not send her there either. All the research on speech therapy shows that unless you tie it into physical movement it isn't effective. sounds like you're in the right place now
I am so glad you have someone that you are so thrilled with. That is so important. I agree with Nancy--stop beating yourself up. You are there now and it sounds like he will grow so much.
I love Where the Wild Things Are, too.
Sounds like a wonderful place- and maybe little bug needed a break anyway!!
The important thing is that he's there now. J started speech therapy when he was 2 1/2. I hate to think where we would have been without it. We used to wonder if he'd ever talk and now we wonder if he'll ever stop.
I'm glad you found a good therapist. Obi-Wan has only ever had one speech therapist but we loved her from the start and still do.
It's so easy to put things off. I do it all the time. At least you're doing something about it now. I hope he really benefits from this new therapist! Good luck!
the important thing is that you are doing it now. how great for little bug, and the rest of the family.
My two youngest children desperately need speech therapy but we don't have money or insurance. :( I might get them signed up through the school though. I'm hesitant because we homeschool and I don't want a special education file opened up on them.
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