I'm hanging with Max in his room at bedtime. We've just finished reading a Thomas the Tank book, and now wants to flip through a mini album of photos from our last trip to Disney World. It's been months since we looked at the book, and he's excited all over again.
We get to this shot of the castle.
Max points to the turrets, puts one hand to his ear and makes a whooshing sound.
Hmmm. "Oh, Max, do you think the top parts of the castle look like rocket ships?"
"Noooooooo," says Max.
Again, he puts his hand to his ear and makes a whooshing sound.
"Are you saying you want to fly to Disney World?" I ask.
"Noooooooo," says Max.
Lately, Max is trying so hard to articulate words and show me things with his own kinds of signs. And there are times when I don't know what he's trying to say. I could run downstairs, get the iPad, see if it can speak the word for him. Except I don't always want a machine in between us. Obviously, the iPad is a breakthrough device for a child with speech challenges, but tonight Max has something he's eager to tell me and I want to encourage him to communicate on his own. I'd like to give him confidence that he himself has the ability to express words, thoughts, feelings. And that his mom can understand him.
Max whooshes again. Then it hits me. "Are you saying there are fireworks at the castle?" I ask.
"YESSSSSSSS!" Max says, smiling. And I give him a high-five, and we both laugh.
Victory.
OMG. This made me tear up! You go Max! And you Ellen are amazing, I love the choice you made her and the empowerment you gave him. What a sweet moment.
ReplyDeleteOh, I know exactly what you are saying here! Gracie and I have moments like these...but they usually don't end as well for us.
ReplyDeleteAw - what a sweet post!! Go Max :) :) And what a "good mommy moment" too :)
ReplyDeleteI bet Max was very proud of you for understanding. What a good little teacher he is in not giving up.
ReplyDeleteOh Ellen, you are such a great mom!
ReplyDeleteMagical! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat an uplifting post to read! Way to go Max! I'm proud of you!
ReplyDeleteyou're good. I wouldn't have got that.
ReplyDeleteafter your posts, school are trying to get Ash a pad .... watch this space.
Way cool!
ReplyDeleteHand to ear...are they VERY LOUD fireworks? A kid who isn't routinely a fan of a lot of loud noise would put sound ahead of the WOOOOOOSH!
He tries so hard, and it looks like he succeeds! Great job Max, great job ELLEN, too!
Let me just say, if I was more routinely able to understand him, I wouldn't be writing posts like this... I get frustrated a lot. But when I do know what he's saying, it's a thrill every single time.
ReplyDeleteFelicia, yes, the fireworks are very loud to Max's ears; he's sensitive to noise. That's exactly why he identifies them by sound.
I have never replied to any of your posts, Ellen, but my daughter also had bilateral strokes and I read your blog every day. And I must say, you are an inspirational mom-mom (my daughter's word), but MAX, he rocks our world.!!! Go Max! Don't ever give up (although you show no signs of doing so)~ Keep on telling us everything that you know. Because you are an amazing little boy and I LOVE reading about you!
ReplyDeleteOH Yeah, a victory for sure! YAY MAX! Good work, Mom! Max sure is rocking along with his communication, isn't he! Exciting stuff!
ReplyDeleteSince max has some problems communicating verbally, have you thought about sign language at all. Some other kids with CP or strokes that I knew had issues with verbal communication and sign worked for them since they didnt have cool things like the ipad when we were younger.
ReplyDeleteMeg sign language is for children who are deaf. And, verbal communication isnt communication, its talking.
ReplyDelete