Entry FeedToday I am taking Son Two downtown for his last day of speech therapy. A few months ago, we started an intensive form of speech therapy called, "prompt." This is where the therapist touches the child's face and mouth to teach them how to form properly to make the sounds.
Months ago I felt like this was our last chance to help Son Two through his speech issues. We were now working with the top in the province, and she seemed experienced and enthusiastic. After the first session I felt that if this didn't work, then nothing would.
Except Son Two hates her, and that is putting it mildly. Their personalities just didn't mesh, and every session has become a power struggle. I am not even sure it is about his speech anymore. While the therapist obviously knows her stuff, I would have thought that after about 25 years of working with kids, she would have been able to handle Son Two. To us, he is the easy one. To her he seems to be a behavioral problem, and the words, "non-compliant" get thrown around a lot.
Part of me is a little impressed that my son has enough self control not to have bitten her. I am sure if someone was sticking gloved fingers into my mouth, they would be taking their chances. OK, so maybe I haven't bitten the dentist yet, but I only have to put up with him once or twice a year.
We took Son Two out of his JK class twice a week and for the past 10 weeks we have seen her every Monday and Wednesday (illness exceptions).
Son Two's speech has improved, but not as dramatically as I had hoped. However, many of you read that a few weeks ago we had a diagnosis from an Otolaryngologist of velopharyngeal incompetence that explains his speech issues.
Monday, our second last session, was a reassessment to review progress. The therapist said, "One more session after today. How do you feel about that?"
Why did she ask? Son Two is 5 years old! You get an honest answer.
"And then I never have to see you ever again!" he exclaimed, not even trying to hide his joy. "We are finished speech FOREVER!!!"
"It's nice to be loved," she said, sarcastically.
Husband and I have decided to give Son Two some time off. We will reassess in the fall, and see if we want to go the private route, or if there is something that the school can do for him.
In the meantime, it is going to take all of Son Two's self control to sit through today's half hour session. I can already picture him bouncing in his seat and watching the door.