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!!

Have you ever begged your kids to START talking, instead of stop?

Well... life is certainly crazy in my house on most days with three boys and both my husband and I working full-time. However, lately, things are even crazier. My middle son, S, has been prone to temper tantrums that could last anywhere from 5 mins to 2 hours... depending on the day. He could then go for 2 hrs without speaking to anyone afterwards. All of a sudden, he would come up to you and say, "I all done now." He would be fine and you would never know that anything was wrong. Well... he has now decided that he will take this "not talking" thing, a little further. He is now on day 11 of not speaking to ANYONE! He's not talking to the kids at the sitter, his siblings, his mother, his father, his buddy "Dog." I am about ready to lose my mind! How a little boy who is 3.5 yrs old, can just turn it off like that is beyond my comprehension!

Yes, I have gone through every event that has occurred in the last few months, replaying everything in hopes for an answer. I cannot explain it. We've had some concerns with S in the past. Just little quirks. His temper, frustration, inflexibility, etc., have been concerns, for sure but other than that, he is the sweetest, most lovable, polite little boy you could ever meet. He walks on his toes, his speech is a little choppy and he has some nice little ways about him that are unique. We have consulted with our family doctor who btw gave me three different (unofficial) diagnosis all in a matter of a 4 wk time frame (I'm not liking her much these days). We've been referred to a neurological pediatrican, who we can't get in to see until June/July. Wonderful system. We have contacted our local Public Health office who has gotten the ball rolling for us now that we have a little boy who hasn't spoken for going on two weeks... I'm LOVING them right now!! Thank You! We have intervention workers who are monitoring his actions/behavior... again, thank you... but I'm a little concerned with the fact that they can't really help with a diagnosis... just that hmm... "he's a mystery." All professionals are very intrigued by his unique way of being able to just turn off his words and not use them for days on end! When we know he could talk if he wanted too... or? Maybe he can't? This is what I need to know!

I talked in my first blog about needing to write for therapy. Well, this is my reason. I am trying to remain patient and feel much better when I express my feelings through writing. Any suggestions are welcome... I'll continue to blog as we venture through this journey/mystery.