delayedtoddler

photo by lepiaf.geo on Flickr

In one of my most popular posts I shared about B’s delayed echolalia which she displayed when she asked me to pick her up (B would ask, “Carry you, mama?). Then I posted a celebration when she asked, “Mama, you like you carry me?” Well today, we can have an all out party, because B asked me today, “Mama, can you carry me?” We’ve been working in speech therapy on asking for things (”can I have?”) and we’ve started working on directing her questions to who she is talking to (either with eye contact or by name). I’m so pleased to see this progress! Tomorrow is her last speech therapy appointment for this session. I’m really amazed what a difference eight weeks has made for her. I really believe early intervention has had a huge positive impact.

Photo by tiffanywashko on Flickr

I had a huge surprise today when B asked me to read her a story!  This is huge for her because she normally has little to no interest in sitting still to read a book.  I think we have started a new routine.  Yesterday we spent some time sitting down to read a couple books.  I had her sit on the Move N’ Sit cushion to allow her some movement while still sitting.   This morning, she actually made eye contact and said, “Mama, we read a book?”  Needless to say, I was more than happy to sit down with her and read.

In the More Than Words program, it was suggested that when we read, we sit across from each other so that B can see my face when I’m talking to her.  We usually adapt the story, so that it’s easier to follow for B.   I sometimes sum up the words on the page rather than reading it verbatim.  We spend lots of time talking about the pictures, how characters might be feeling and what might happen next.  It helps to get B talking and to start to understand about how others might be thinking and feeling.