One step forward...

I am pleased to announce that I had a very enjoyable weekend.

S, sang songs and talked up a storm all weekend long. Now, mind you, he did this in the comfort of his bedroom, in the play space under the stairs... anywhere that he didn't think anyone could hear him.

He did however, say "DS" without just saying the letter sounds and also said "Luigi." He held a book up to me and said the word.

The Top Hits of the weekend were:

1. "Scooby Dooby Doo, Where are You?"
2. "Itsy Bitsy Spider"
3. "Aloetta"

He counted to 9 while playing Wii... then to 13 when playing hide-and-seek with Big Brother A. Also, when he was done counting, he said "ready or not, here I come!"

Ask him a question though and he will not answer in a sentence and is still gesturing and saying "uh huh" and "uh uh" for "yes" and "no."

Beggars can't be choosers at this point. I am so happy with this progress I literally started to cry when he was singing the theme song to Scooby Doo.

We had a meeting today with the team of professionals that are working with S, and told them of his progress.

We are all so stumped by his peculiar behavior but I have the utmost faith in the team's ability to help him... as well as our consistency in working with him.

Tonight, when we were getting ready for bed, he also asked for milk. Previously, he would say "ma" for milk. Tonight he said the word.

To get him to talk, I have been saying the word and waiting for his response. If he has none, I repeat myself. I don't ask him to repeat the word, I simply wait for his response. I've been consistent in not giving him what he wants until he says the word, or at least tries it and it's working great. Of course, I didn't come up with this strategy all by myself. I have the TEAM to thank for it. Watching and learning their techniques are really paying off. He's catching on much quicker than I anticipated.

I am predicting that by Christmas, he will be speaking in full sentences again (or at least I hope).

We start intensive therapy in three weeks, which I'm sure will help immensely. Then there's preschool in the Fall together with therapy in the afternoon. He's going to get the best help we can possibly ask for!!

I am amazed at the Early Intervention programs available in our province. Ones that if we lived in another province, ie. Ontario, these therapies would cost a whopping $20K-$30K per year! Our provincial government is paying the entire bill!! This is amazing!! Even the middle-class citizens of our province are getting benefits.

I guess my theory of quitting my job, staying home, baking bread and collecting a "cheque" can be put on hold... at least for a little while.

Thank you provincial government! I will vote for you in the next election!!