I had my daughter’s first Speech Therapy appointment for the year this week. I was a little apprehensive as the Therapist was new, and after last year I had my doubts. Any reservations I had, however, began to dissipate the moment I meet Kate. Whilst young, she was also enthusiastic and had not yet been jaded by the whole public health system like our previous therapist had been (which as a Public Servant, I sympathise with). But most importantly, she had experience with children with ASD. This is very important as ASD children process things very differently to Neuro typical children.
Although Elizabeth would be classed as high functioning, she is what we will call an ‘own agenda’ child. If the activity does not interest her, it takes a lot a persuading to get her involved. Which means the therapy sessions have to be kept interesting. This also translates with people. If she is not interested in a person she simply ignores them. I still have not worked out what makes her take notice of some people more then others. I know one thing; she is drawn to children (although mostly only to observe them) and men. She loves my brother but ignores his wife. She would greet him with a massive smile and follow him around the house the whole time he visits, but she barely acknowledges his wife with a glance. This is also true with a couple I am good friends with. She also gives the most beautiful smiles to the construction workers who come in for their lunch at the local shopping centre but ignores the lovely lady who makes our coffee, despite the fact that she makes an effort to greet Elizabeth every-time she sees her.
Actually, the only woman she has really taken too, other then her Nan and myself, was the Physiotherapist, Barbara, who visited her playgroup last year. Although she didn’t need any Physio work, Barbara would take her through the obstacle course simply for the pure enjoyment Elizabeth got from the interaction. Despite these personality quirks, Elizabeth is very well behaved. I've rarely had to experience the tandrums the terrible twos are renowned for. But that doesn't mean she is not a typical two year old in other ways. She still gets very grumpy when she's tired or mum has not put on the right DVD.
I believe with Kate’s bubbly personality, she will be able to engage Elizabeth, or at least draw her attention long enough to complete an activity or two. Kate also employs a holistic approach, not only looking at speech and communication but diet as well. I was very pleased to note that I was doing everything right, nutritionally wise. I also learned that whilst I thought Elizabeth was characterised as non-verbal, this was not actually the case as she uses consistent sounds to communicate and would on the rare occasion say a word.
The other day whilst my Father was giving Elizabeth a piggyback ride around the complex in which I live she said ‘hello’ to a couple of children walking by. This was not a figment of my Father’s imagination because the children promptly said ‘hello’ back to her and gave her a wave. Once, forty-five minutes into a therapy session Elizabeth had had enough and started crying, ‘out, out, out’. Even the occupational therapist at the time could not believe her ears. These incidents can be very frustrating as it demonstrates that she can talk, but at the moment it does not suit her to.
I am hoping that using Makaton (sign-language), along with a picture exchange system will give her the initiative to start communicating on a verbal level. Or at least, aid her understanding of language so she can communicate by electronic means if she so chooses never to talk, something I’m starting to accept. There are many people out there for various reasons cannot communicate verbally and are extremely intelligent people. But as most autistic children do not begin to talk until the age of four, sometimes as late as eight, I still have a long way to go before I can close that book.
Last year was a difficult year, with Elizabeth being diagnosed with ASD the day after her second birthday and the enormous impact this had, not only on my life, but on my parents’ life as well. But this year has definitely started off more promising. Elizabeth begins playgroup again at the Special School on Monday and soon we will be starting up a home-based program involving a Speech and Occupational Therapist as well as her regular appointments at the Children’s Therapy Unit at the local hospital. On the top of that I’m attempting a Master’s of English as well as working three days a week at the International Airport (mostly night shift so I can fit in the therapy), so it’s going to be a busy year.
Although Elizabeth would be classed as high functioning, she is what we will call an ‘own agenda’ child. If the activity does not interest her, it takes a lot a persuading to get her involved. Which means the therapy sessions have to be kept interesting. This also translates with people. If she is not interested in a person she simply ignores them. I still have not worked out what makes her take notice of some people more then others. I know one thing; she is drawn to children (although mostly only to observe them) and men. She loves my brother but ignores his wife. She would greet him with a massive smile and follow him around the house the whole time he visits, but she barely acknowledges his wife with a glance. This is also true with a couple I am good friends with. She also gives the most beautiful smiles to the construction workers who come in for their lunch at the local shopping centre but ignores the lovely lady who makes our coffee, despite the fact that she makes an effort to greet Elizabeth every-time she sees her.
Actually, the only woman she has really taken too, other then her Nan and myself, was the Physiotherapist, Barbara, who visited her playgroup last year. Although she didn’t need any Physio work, Barbara would take her through the obstacle course simply for the pure enjoyment Elizabeth got from the interaction. Despite these personality quirks, Elizabeth is very well behaved. I've rarely had to experience the tandrums the terrible twos are renowned for. But that doesn't mean she is not a typical two year old in other ways. She still gets very grumpy when she's tired or mum has not put on the right DVD.
I believe with Kate’s bubbly personality, she will be able to engage Elizabeth, or at least draw her attention long enough to complete an activity or two. Kate also employs a holistic approach, not only looking at speech and communication but diet as well. I was very pleased to note that I was doing everything right, nutritionally wise. I also learned that whilst I thought Elizabeth was characterised as non-verbal, this was not actually the case as she uses consistent sounds to communicate and would on the rare occasion say a word.
The other day whilst my Father was giving Elizabeth a piggyback ride around the complex in which I live she said ‘hello’ to a couple of children walking by. This was not a figment of my Father’s imagination because the children promptly said ‘hello’ back to her and gave her a wave. Once, forty-five minutes into a therapy session Elizabeth had had enough and started crying, ‘out, out, out’. Even the occupational therapist at the time could not believe her ears. These incidents can be very frustrating as it demonstrates that she can talk, but at the moment it does not suit her to.
I am hoping that using Makaton (sign-language), along with a picture exchange system will give her the initiative to start communicating on a verbal level. Or at least, aid her understanding of language so she can communicate by electronic means if she so chooses never to talk, something I’m starting to accept. There are many people out there for various reasons cannot communicate verbally and are extremely intelligent people. But as most autistic children do not begin to talk until the age of four, sometimes as late as eight, I still have a long way to go before I can close that book.
Last year was a difficult year, with Elizabeth being diagnosed with ASD the day after her second birthday and the enormous impact this had, not only on my life, but on my parents’ life as well. But this year has definitely started off more promising. Elizabeth begins playgroup again at the Special School on Monday and soon we will be starting up a home-based program involving a Speech and Occupational Therapist as well as her regular appointments at the Children’s Therapy Unit at the local hospital. On the top of that I’m attempting a Master’s of English as well as working three days a week at the International Airport (mostly night shift so I can fit in the therapy), so it’s going to be a busy year.
