Word of Encouragement

[Guest guest]

I was just thinking maybe my dd is beyond my need for support any

longer. We seem to be doing so well. I remember as I read your post

and lurk more now a days than ask for support, just how frustrating it

is to get the services you need and your child deserves. I too

struggled with putting my daughter in public services when my heart

told me no and I already homeschooled my other children. But I felt

so overwhelmed and like I was cheating all my kids because it took so

much intensive time to get her to say one sound or word. She is

almost five and is now talking. However, each stage of her

development has been characterized by the same process of that

inability to initially process the information, copy it, and she seems

to have a limit of 5 when stringing sounds or words together. Others

see her as normal. Doctors told me she is borderline apraxic so she

qualifies for services but they only want her in a group. She is

painfully shy and everyday is different and holds challenges because

of our past. When people approach her and she freaks out or blankly

stares at them, then they wonder what they did to her. I daily am

reminded of this small disability that hangs like a gray cloud over

her head.

On a sunny note, because I chose to reject the group therapy and work

intensively at home including her siblings in the process; she has

made progress that the therapist couldn't accomplish with her. The

school system verbally scorned me for withdrawing her, however, I knew

what was best. They told me she would probably talk at a 3 y.o. level

by age 5 yet she is 4 1/2 and well beyond a 5 y.o. vocabulary.

Comprehension is still a little off but we are working on that. She

doesn't know to slow down so we can understand her. The therapist

also told me not to bother teaching her letters and sounds with the

mindset that she would read in Kindergarten. My older two read at her

age so I tried to focus on speech and do as they said. They told me

she would read most likely in 1st or 2nd grade if I was lucky. She

began reading last week. Sure I have to approach it differently and

we take it a lot slower. It will take her a lot longer to get it.

But I know and believe not only in my child but also in your children.

Behind that silence are great minds with a lot to say. I just

couldn't let myself unsubscribe as I enjoy reading about your small

victories as I recall those first words which came when my daughter

was 3. Hang in there. Don't feel guilty about the choices you make

for your child. I have three children and this child truly beats to

her own drum. And I wouldn't take her any other way. She has taught

me to enjoy life and take pleasure in things I took for granted before

she arrived.

Merry Christmas to you all.

Tara

Homeschooling mom to apraxic dd-age 4, add ds-age 6, and dd-age 8