Three years ago we started our journey to find out why our little Michael was not hitting his milestones. Why he was not even responding to sounds, giggling, or looking in our direction when his name was called {utter sadness}. During that time we were told by a pediatric developmental specialist {world renown} that Michael would most likely not ever speak.Let’s fast forward to present day.
Lately I find myself in amazement over the efforts our little man puts forth in communicating. Behavior issues {atrocious} aside, he is now mimicking the sounds we make. I love that I can carry on a conversation with him. To hear him tell me that he wants to eat, or hear him sing his "ance,ance,ance”{dance} song while he starts dancing in his own little way makes my heart smile.
Not all the words are clear but the sounds are so incredibly close we still know what he is saying and THAT is a great accomplishment on HIS part.
Needless to say, I can now go back to the neurologist that told us to talk to Michael in BABY talk “so he would understand us” and tell him he was WRONG. No! I will not talk to our son like he is less than intelligent. I will talk to my son like I do anyone else in the world. As time goes by the sounds become more streamline and form the actual word.
In addition to words he is now starting to verbally express emotion. No, not just in the screaming when he is throwing a temper tantrum. But, actual feelings!
I made Michael some fruit laden pancakes the other day {fruit hidden of course} when, all of a sudden Mike said to me “Mom” to get my attention, then he pointed to and said “takes”{pancakes} then pointed to his chest and said “heart”{which is clearly heart}. I repeat words back to him when he says them. This time was different, this time he kept repeating “takes heart” he must have said it like 6 times. I stopped, looked at him and said “Why do you keep saying“takes heart?”
Thank God daddy was there because he had the utter epiphany. He said “Mike you LOVE PANCAKES?” Michael’s eyes lit up so bright {bigger than life}, he got a huge smile and said “yes”. He then stopped repeating the words because we got it! Michael let us know He loves the pancakes!! This was followed {of course} by a lot of praise, clapping and doing the silly dance to celebrate this new breakthrough.
These events make it all worth it for me. All the days I have felt like I have played one big game of charades, have spent the day telling him what things are a gazillion times when he asks “what’s that”. I am able to sit back and be so very proud of our little man for not giving up, and being so patient {mostly} with us while we teach him new words or try to figure out what he is telling us.
I will never tire of hearing your little voice our little Michael. It is music to my ears.
