Bragging Over Gabbing

I started asking for speech therapy when Little Miss Harli Belle was 18 months old.  I was concerned that she had maybe 5 words she would randomly use. There was no consistency with words, not were used properly.  Mama could mean bath, milk, hot, cold and the list goes on. I did not hear my baby girl call me mama on purpose until she was almost 2 years old. At our 18 month wellness visit my pediatrician heard my concerns but advised on the wait and see method. I thought to myself "ok this is probably one of those freaking out mom moments that I rarely have"

At our 2 year wellness check up it was quite obvious we were delayed in speech,  social development and food intake.  After a longer discussion we decided that an autism evaluation was needed at this point.   Due to speech being part 1 of the 3 areas tested for we again delayed a local recommendation. 

While waiting to begin speech therapy I talked to a few friends and family members who happen to be teachers,  a couple actually have a special education degree.   I fell down the rabbit hole on Pinterest and started a talking board at home.  We used pictures of things Harli uses everyday,  and a few of her favorite things.   We pulled a card everytime she did the action. 

It's been about 6 weeks since we started speech therapy.  Like all new things with toddlers I knew the first visit or two would be less productive and more about learning what techniques would work best for Harli Belle.  Miss Rachel loved our talking board idea and took it a step further.  Harli now places the card in our hand and hears the word.   This teaches her how to ask for something,  as well as hearing the word.

This was not an easy transition.  In the past I was so excited that the words were coming or the cards were working that she got her way.  I love that we are now teaching her to ask rather than take what she wants. Right now she's little and cute so strangers don't mind that she runs up and steals a ball.   While this is polite and an excellent example of sharing,  we have to try and turn outings into lessons which is not always productive due to over simulation. 

Over the last week and a half I have been blown away at the progress in Harli Belles speech.  6 weeks ago she could not retain more than 10 words at a time.  As she learned one she forgot one. She did not group words together at all.  Today Harli Belle has about 30 words that she uses consistently. She can grab her diaper bag,  my keys and say "go bye bye". She's repeating sounds and tones that she hears from us or tv.  She can identify and point to images or colors in her books.  She will make the sounds of an animal that she sees on tv or in books.   This is progress I certainly didn't expect to see so soon.  

She earned a gold Star ⭐ A+ today at our speech visit. Miss Rachel expressed this is the transformation we want to see.  Our transition times are shorter, our attention span in longer and our routine has been established. I'm so very proud of her efforts and results! And most importantly she's rightfully proud of herself!