Speech Progress

As most of you know Taelyn has struggled with utilizing the English language for her daily communication.  She was becoming more and more frustrated as she tried to communicate in Taelyn talk and we didn't understand.  Over the past three weeks she has been receiving in home speech therapy once a week.  The therapist has asked us to use sign language with her in order to have her associate words with requests.  We had already taught her more, but had been unsuccessful in teaching her other words.  Iada our terrific therapist said we must use the signs and make her use them in order to get anything she is requesting.  This was a painful process for the first couple days filled with many tears, both hers and ours.  She is now regularly using the signs for more, please, thank you, help and all done.  Each week we get a new word or choose one we know she needs for daily communication and then work with her during the week.  She is picking up the signs very quickly and even uses a sound when doing the sign.  It has been such a pleasure to see her come so far so quickly.  She has even added a few new recognizable English words, ice and bubbles (still no mom), but whose needs mom.  Just wait til she wants some money and I can say "mom who" ask Dad!

Thank you to everyone for your encouraging words and thoughtful help in this process.  I laughed the other day when our friend Matt said "You know you can't rush perfection!"  A good reminder that everyone goes at a different time and speed.

We will keep you posted!