The day started out as an early one -- we were in Toronto by eight in the morning. We signed in and then we went to get some breakfast at Tim Hortons before we had to be at our first appointment.
I was really, really excited to see the speech therapist. Our little miss started talking only two weeks after surgery, so I was really anxious to hear what the therapist thought about her progress. Maelyn was in a fabulous and very cooperative mood -- thank goodness! Throughout the assessment the therapist gave us many tips and techniques to use with Maelyn at home. She also gave me some books to read -- the teacher in me kicked into high gear and I couldn't wait to start into this new project at home. All in all, Maelyn's language was only about six months behind where she should be -- not bad, considering that she has had to learn an entirely new language and that she just had her palate repaired. I was so proud of her -- our little miss is amazing!!
We received more good news when the audiologist reported that Maelyn's hearing was now in the normal range and that her tubes were still in place -- yay!!
We then saw the plastic surgeon and the doctor and his fellow were giving each other high fives when they looked at her palate -- it was looking good and no holes were evident. We were really worried about this because the palate was a tight repair. Now, we don't need to go back to see him for another year!
Our little miss didn't compensate for her speech while her palate was open -- she just didn't speak very much at all. This ended up being a blessing as it has made it easier for her to learn new and appropriate habits for speaking. She is having difficulty, however, with learning to suck and swallow properly. Maelyn is a champion eater and therefore made many compensations for her open palate. She adapted fabulously to having an open palate -- but it means that she now has some 'bad habits' to break. Maelyn will be seeing an occupational therapist to help her learn to swallow properly.
We are also starting private speech therapy this week. She will have another assessment and then her sessions will begin. I am excited about the progress that she will make. She has so much to say -- the little girl that was once so quiet is now always gabbing.....and I love it!
She makes her needs known and is even beginning to put two words together, telling Paul 'over here' when she was trying to tell him that she wanted a yogourt from the freezer. In fact, as her speech improved, she has started calling me Mommy (pronounced Ma-eeee) instead of Mama. Hmmm....I think I miss being called Mama -- but I can't help but laugh out loud when she yells Ma-eeee over and over again when she wants me to watch her do something.
Maelyn is making strides and learning quickly -- and I am in awe of her daily.
I was really, really excited to see the speech therapist. Our little miss started talking only two weeks after surgery, so I was really anxious to hear what the therapist thought about her progress. Maelyn was in a fabulous and very cooperative mood -- thank goodness! Throughout the assessment the therapist gave us many tips and techniques to use with Maelyn at home. She also gave me some books to read -- the teacher in me kicked into high gear and I couldn't wait to start into this new project at home. All in all, Maelyn's language was only about six months behind where she should be -- not bad, considering that she has had to learn an entirely new language and that she just had her palate repaired. I was so proud of her -- our little miss is amazing!!
We received more good news when the audiologist reported that Maelyn's hearing was now in the normal range and that her tubes were still in place -- yay!!
We then saw the plastic surgeon and the doctor and his fellow were giving each other high fives when they looked at her palate -- it was looking good and no holes were evident. We were really worried about this because the palate was a tight repair. Now, we don't need to go back to see him for another year!
Our little miss didn't compensate for her speech while her palate was open -- she just didn't speak very much at all. This ended up being a blessing as it has made it easier for her to learn new and appropriate habits for speaking. She is having difficulty, however, with learning to suck and swallow properly. Maelyn is a champion eater and therefore made many compensations for her open palate. She adapted fabulously to having an open palate -- but it means that she now has some 'bad habits' to break. Maelyn will be seeing an occupational therapist to help her learn to swallow properly.
We are also starting private speech therapy this week. She will have another assessment and then her sessions will begin. I am excited about the progress that she will make. She has so much to say -- the little girl that was once so quiet is now always gabbing.....and I love it!
She makes her needs known and is even beginning to put two words together, telling Paul 'over here' when she was trying to tell him that she wanted a yogourt from the freezer. In fact, as her speech improved, she has started calling me Mommy (pronounced Ma-eeee) instead of Mama. Hmmm....I think I miss being called Mama -- but I can't help but laugh out loud when she yells Ma-eeee over and over again when she wants me to watch her do something.
Maelyn is making strides and learning quickly -- and I am in awe of her daily.
Figuring out how to remove her diaper...
3 comments:
I *adore* the pigtails! So glad that she is doing so fantastically - obviously an exceptional child just like her mom and dad. BTW, Sweetpea still calls me Mumma (which I love and always have) and I think it might be because I called myself that when she was little. When she started calling me Mommy at about four, I told her how much I used to love it when she called me Mumma and she switched back without a breath and and has never gone back. sigh.....
Oh I love these pics - Maelyn suddenly looks so grown up!
Miz B now only calls me "mom" and it is usually with an extra syllable to get her point across "mo-om!" *sigh* But interestingly, Cass has been calling me "mama" - I noticed it yesterday again. Love that connection to their younger days.
Love to all!
So awesome to see how well she's doing!! How far you have all come in such a short time. Amazing :D
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