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Speech therapy just got frustrating and heart-breaking.
- Sep 12, 2008 at 11:31 AM
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- Comments (13) Total Views (219) Everyone can see this journal post.
Our new SLP is fresh out of school, not very experienced, or maybe experienced with older
kids, but her tactics are mild and she seems nervous and lacking
confidence. I'm sure I didn't help her uneasiness with my "jump in there and
get it going attitude!" LOL My 33 month old son has had speech therapy since June of this year, and we were expecting more progress from the SLP than what we were getting working on our own. Our previous SLP was really getting the hang of it, then she had to leave. She had more commitments with the county program, and couldn't keep us on. I think she missed teaching too, because she mentioned it several times in her final visits.
So the first session with our new SLP was quiet, lets get to know each other, lets do some puzzles, play with some lacing beads... oh but wait, here comes mom with a box of picnic food and dishes... lets' learn food names and play. After an hour, the therapy session ended better than it started. When she left, Jake always has to walk the ladies to their cars, we got to her car and he spotted a Lucky Ducks game in her trunk. Oh boy, he wanted that!
The 2nd session Miss J brought it in with her. We played a couple of other things first, but all Jake could think about were those ducks! So she brought it out. With my initial modeling for him what to say, he quickly picked up on it. Jake was saying "stop!" and "go!" when pushing the button off and on. (making the ducks stop moving, then go again.) He was naming colors (printed on the bottom of the duck) and matching the shape to the ones around the outside of the game. He was saying "more ducks" "ducks please" and signing as well. He was having fun making sure each duck was placed in the moving water, all looking in the same direction. His face was lit up! He played with this game for over half the session. When our session was over, he reluctantly put each duck in the bag when it was time to clean up, but he did it, and said "inside" as he placed each one in the bag, and "all done". We walked Miss J out to her car.
The 3rd session, when Miss J came over, Jake was happy to see her. He jumped up in his chair at the dining room table to get started. He asked very nicely.. "ducks please" and signed please with such desperation... he was ready to play. Well, Miss J said, let's do this first, and then you can play ducks. Jake was all about "no" for a while, but got into the new puzzles and food items. I got out the dishes and cups to pretend eating and labeling along with playing with the food. Jake never got to play with the ducks... Miss J just didn't bring it out. When cleaning up, he saw the game and cried to play, but it was too late... maybe next time.
This last session, when Miss J came over, Jake jumped onto the couch and started to hide under the pillows.. but then he thought about it and came out and said 'hi' then started talking to her about his world, what he was watching on TV, where his train was, etc. Then we went to the dining room to "work". He did the same thing as last time, asking for the ducks, and begging please. She started to get the ducks out, but then said, let's do this first. Well, Jake had enough puzzles and food... he wanted the damn ducks! So it was "no" - "all done" through most of the activities. He even laid his head in my lap and cried a few times. It was heartbreaking.
So mom (that would be me) goes to Sammi's room, and gathers up the tea pot, tea cups, utensils and plates... We had a tea party and shared food and drink and practiced manners saying please and thank you and labeling. Afterward, Miss J still seemed kind of lost as to what to do next, and did not want to bring the ducks out... I guess he plays with it too long, and you kind of run out of words to practice.
Jake diverted his attention to the cutting food... "I cut!" So we worked on sharing and asking for bread, put it on my plate, using apples, peppers and more bread. Jake enjoyed manipulating the pieces to get them back together... then we were done with that. I felt a lull in our rythym, So I got out the transportation flash cards.
We labeled, made sound effects and pretended to drive cars and fly the planes on the cards... finally, after we went through all the cards, and Jake put each one back into the box, and said "inside" for each one, Miss J. brought out the ducks... YAY!!!
Jake had fun for about 15 minutes, we labeled shapes, named colors, matched colors and shapes and asked for more and said please and yada yada yada... then, Miss J decided to with hold to get Jake to say his name.... or say Jake did it! Jake wants a duck, Jake do it.... ok, this sounds like a reversal to his already successful "I did it!" and "I got it". It just didn't feel comfortable teaching him this format of saying his name. This usually happens automatically, and you work to correct it. But why step backwards? I think she should know a different approach to do this... and there lies my ingenuity, to find a way and then teach the SLP. In any case, the game was no longer fun, it became a frustration.. so he was not reluctant to put it away when therapy was over.
I work with Jake daily, and I'm always trying new tecniques and activities to get his language blossoming and we've had great success in the last few months. He went from 5 words in March to probably more than 75 now, and is using 2,3 and 4 word sentences.. I have been working very hard to get him caught up, and needed the s/t to keep me motivated and reinforce what Jake learns. But with this new SLP, I just feel like pulling my hair out sometimes... things just feel so out of sinc now.
One of the things I've noticed that bothers me is, Miss J will hold two things in her hands, and lightly touch Jake to get his attention and then say, "Now, which one, the blank or the blank". Ok, I get the touch, I get the wait to look at me pause, but where is the excitement, where is the fun, where is the playing!? Neither one of us look forward to therapy anymore. I often wonder if we could do better on our own, without the outside aggravation -- because that's what it seems to be now. I thought I needed the help, but now it just seems more like a hindrance.
Thanks for reading. :o)
* Update Oct, 27, 2008* While the start of therapy with a new SLP was a bit bumpy, things are settling in better these days. I still do a lot of the activity seeking and setting up, but we (the SLP, Jake and I) are working together as a team now. Our days have a lot to do with what Jake has in mind for fun. If he is groaning "noooo" at the toys/books/games/puzzles being pulled out of the SLP bag, then I grab my back ups. I have several fun to do, special activities that are reserved for therapy sessions and we really get Jake back in action! It helps to have a back-up plan with any child in therapy. They have moods and desires too... we have to keep it fun to keep their attention. **
Update - March 16, 2009- We have been on our own with speech therapy since December, and Jake has been doing fantastically! He is conversational and inquisitive! He is also getting bossy and emotional, but I love all of those crazy pieces of him! He is becoming a typically developing preschooler!
Comments:
He will be 3 in Dec. Wow, 16 mos is young... good luck! I hope it goes well!
Wow, I don't know much about speech therapy, but it seems that YOU are doing a great job! From what you wrote, it sounds like you are the one bringing out the supplies, and encouraging your little one to learn. Can you request a different therapist? She really doesn't sound aggressive (sorry, that's not really the word that I want but I cant think right now lol) enough to aid your son. Hmmm, good luck!! I hope he continues to improve!
Oh, agressive is the perfect word! That's my feelings on it! She is a new SLP, she comes with her own toys, but they are just too simple and boring... Our other SLP had too many commitments and had to leave, but she was great, and we worked together well.
Are you paying for this therapist? If so, I'm thinking you should just pocket the pay, and hire yourself! It sounds as if she isn't invested...and that's a bit scary, considering she's new at it.
I would try to get a different SLP before you give up on the therapy altogether. Jake loved the other SLP, he had fun and learned new things. Don't give up yet. And It sounds like You are doing it all...I hope you didn't apologise already (previous post) She needs to do her homework, if not for Jake then atleast for the children she will work with in the future. I hope that didn't sound too harsh, It's just that you want the best for your child...not someone who is still learning the basics themselves. Every session is so important, ya know? I know they need the experience from someone, but I would not be comfortable with my son being the guinnea pig. Maybe she could come and be an aide to another SLP for your son? To help refresh her memory, or see how to work with little ones if that is the case. And I definitely don't like that she told Jake he could play the game...but then ran out of time. He isn't stupid. They remember little things like that. Well sorry about all the rambling...but I hope it gets better.
I don't like that either! About the "let's do this first and then you can play" and then never letting him play. NOT cool! and like I said before, I really don't understand why she's trying to get him to say "Jake did it" etc. That's not really the proper context in which to say his own name. I could understand if he didn't say "I did it" etc. to try to get him to say "Jake did it" as a first step but he's already beyond that.
I"m sorry! haha, I'm going to tell you what you told me, my friend, and that is: "There's no law that says you have to mesh with everyone... if she doesn't fit, try on another one!" You had a speech therapist who was great, so you know how good that can be. I understand not wanting to waste time looking for a new one, but if this one isn't able/willing to change her style you're wasting time anyway.
Blah! It seems like it's HARD to find a good therapist for little ones!
I have decided we are not going backwards with the name attempt.. Today, when he was between the sofa and the wall, he said, "Help, I stuck!" and later, when I reached a puzzle from the top shelf in the hall closet, he said, "Yay! You got it!" So he is very good with the You/I concept... I think going backwards to 'Jake did it', 'Jake wants a cookie' is not going to happen. We will just aquaint himself with himself through pictures and videos! :o) Thanks for everyone's input!
To answer the questions above - It's not out of pocket for me, it's through our state assisted insurance. I am not giving up completely, but I think I will sit more quietly at the next session, and see how she does on her own. I may request another SLP if it doesn't work out to my expectations. And, yes, that was a point I was making to her as she left... this is my child, and out of all her other cases (not sure how many she has, if any) he is the most important one to me and the one I expect full service for him.
I'll be posting updates, I'm sure.
Can I suggest the Baby Babble DVD - You will need to sit and watch and interact with the DVD. Its made by speech therapists, and gives you lots of activities and simply things to do.
I would also try to get a different speech therapist if you don't feel like things are improving in the next month.
I agree with the others. It is YOU that is doing the therapy!! I am currently in the same situation but LOVE my sons speech therapist!! It does not sound like yours is ready for children with Jakes situation!! HUGS!!
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How old is your son? My son in almost 16 months and will be starting speech theraphy in Dec.
- mommyof20507
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