Hi, I’m Kami, author of The Momma Diaries. I’m a SAHM to my sweet boy, Lincoln. {un}domesticated wife to my dashingly handsome husband. Lover of coffee, cupcakes, and Christian Grey. This is my little family…
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Special thanks to Mindi, for letting me take over her blog today! Because Mindi is a Speech-Language Pathologist, I figured I’d share what’s it like to be on the other side of that spectrum. A parent, who has a son needing speech therapy. This was originally posted on my blog back in February. I hope you enjoy it.
Sometimes being a parent is hard. Sometimes you feel like you have somehow failed your child, although deep down, you are really your all to help this tiny person grow and develop.
Today, Lincoln is being evaluated for the early intervention program.
You may recall in Lincoln’s 2 year stats post, I mentioned I was concerned with his speech. Although his pediatrician told me what he considered “typical” for a 2 year old, any and all information I have researched, says otherwise.
According to everything I have read, Lincoln should have at least 50 words. Not only that, but he should be stringing together 2 or 3 word phrases. He absolutely doesn’t have 50 words. I made a list for his 2 year appointment and came up with 38. HOWEVER, he is not consistent with those words at all. For example, he can say “apple.” He hasn’t said “apple” since this past summer. He CAN say Momma & Dadda. He’s done it. Does he do it, ever? No. He’ll typically say “mum mum mum” when he’s really upset. But, does he just come up to me and call me “Momma?” No.
And about the 2 or 3 word sentences…he doesn’t have any of these. He will say things like “uh oh” and “oh wow,” however, those aren’t considered 2 word phrases.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like Lincoln is silent all day long. He talks nonstop. He has his own little language that I adore! Unfortunately, I cannot understand a word he’s saying.
Is this frustrating? You bet. But it’s really starting to get frustrating for Lincoln. And what parent wants to see their child frustrated? I knew as his Momma, and his advocate, I had to do something.
So, last week I contacted the Early Intervention program in our area. I had a short phone interview where they asked me a bunch of questions. I really wasn’t expecting this process to move so quickly, but I am very pleased that Lincoln will have his evaluation, in the comfort of our home, today.
I have all our paperwork filled out, and we are all ready to meet with the evaluator.
When you think of your child having a test, you would think you’d want them to pass it with flying colors. While I wish this were the case for Lincoln, I also want him to be able to get any and all the help that he needs.
Maybe he won’t qualify for the program. But I have to do this. For him. For my sweet little boy. I have to trust my Mommy instincts.
My husband wasn’t all on board with this process. He wanted to give it more time. Well, we’ve been giving it more time as far as I’m concerned. And if Lincoln needs help, then the sooner the better. Why wait? It can’t hurt him.
Am I nervous? You better believe it! Part of me feels like I’m being scrutinized as a parent. Like somehow I’m not doing “my job” correctly. While I know this is not true, you cannot help but think those things.
The bottom line is, I want to give Lincoln the very best. He deserves only that. The absolute best that I can give to him.
We will see what happens today, and then we will go from there. That’s really all we can do.
….just to let you all know, Lincoln DID qualify for services, and he has excelled with the program.
Thanks for sharing Lincoln’s story with us Kami! It’s so great to hear he is making great progress with the program!!
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