Max's speech app has been a game-changer for him and for me, too. When he says something and I'm not sure what it is, I ask him to show us on the Proloquo2Go. He either taps an icon or spells things out, and he's getting better at that. But sometimes, the iPad is downstairs and the two of us are upstairs or vice versa and Max is trying to articulate something and I have no clue what he's saying. This is how it usually goes:
"Max, can you say that again?"
"Max, can you say it again more clearly?"
"Sabrina, do you know what Max is saying?"
"Max, can you say it again?"
"Again?"
"Again?"
"Max, honey, I'm not understanding you, I'm sorry!"
It's always a fine line I walk, knowing when to keep prodding Max and when to quit. The entire time, I'm usually feeling badly because I can see how much he wants to articulate the words—and how much he wants me to understand them. It pains me that I cannot comprehend what he is trying so, so hard to tell me. I'm his mother. Shouldn't I be able to decipher? But, no. The sounds are too unintelligible.
Thing is, Max is generally an amazingly cheerful kid who's game to keep trying. And when he puts his mind to it he is, at times, able to enunciate words in a clearer way. So I am OK with pushing him—until he lets me know he's had it. And then, I'll grab the iPad.
The other week, Max said something at bedtime and Dave and I had no clue what it was. Dave said, "Max, you want to buy a monkey?!" because the words sort of sounded like that.
And we all burst out laughing.
Ever since, when Max says something we don't understand, first we say "Max, you want to buy a monkey?!" and everyone cracks up. Then Max tries again, smiling, as we coax him on.
You've just got to laugh.
It made me laugh! My son also uses Proloquo2go on a very basic level. I wish that this program came on its own "iPad-like" device so that there are no other distracting apps that my son would rather play with! I saw your video of Max using Proloquo2go the other day, and I can't wait until Kyle can use it like Max can!
ReplyDeleteA monkey! What a great way to break the ice and encourage perseverance! We've got a speaking aid coming... we might need to create some monkeys of our own! Cheers to Max!
ReplyDeleteYep, sometimes you've got to laugh. That's amazing, you guys found a way to ease the tension and Max seems to enjoy the joke. I can't wait for my Sophia to try to use her Ipad to communicate with us... she will!
ReplyDeleteHe must get so frustrated thankfully people understand me most of the time when I speak but I know how frustrating it is when you want your body to do something and it just doesn't co-operate you can't really explain that feeling to someone who hasn't experienced it.
ReplyDeleteYou're putting this idea in this head, you know. One day, he IS going to tell you he wants to buy a monkey and before you know it, you're going to have a pet monkey and it is going to be ALL YOUR FAULT.
ReplyDeleteHaha! A pet monkey would be really cute though. You could buy him little jeans and teach him to hug and stuff.
DeleteJean, you are entirely correct. My main problem will lie in bringing the monkey to work, given that our babysitter did not sign up to watch a monkey. Where does one keep a monkey in the office? Also: Could you possibly train said monkey to do your work for you? Hmmm. And Kristi, rest assured, that monkey would definitely be stylishly dressed. Especially if I had to bring him in to work.
DeleteWe have same problem sometimes at our house. Ian uses Proloquo2go as well, but he's only 5 (5 tomorrow, actually) and can't really spell out much of what he's trying to say. When he verbalizes and I can't understand him, he gets very upset when I ask him to keep repeating. It breaks my heart when he starts to cry because I can't understand what he's trying to say. I know it must be so frustrating for him, especially since he's at an age where he's got a lot he wants to say. The upside is that he's been trying a lot harder in speech therapy lately!
ReplyDeleteI'll ask him if he wants to buy a monkey next time I can't get what he's saying!
Oh I love the "Max, do you want to buy a monkey" and how it allows everybody to laugh and get back to it. I always feel so so badly when my son says something - repeatedly - and I can't understand. The times when he looks utterly defeated break my heart. I think I'll try a silly phrase and see if I can bring levity back to those frustrating moments. I appreciate the idea!
ReplyDeleteLove this!! It must be so frustrating for Max when he can't be understood, but sometimes a little laughter does wonders to lighten a situation! And I wouldn't blame him if he really DID want to buy a pet monkey! ;)
ReplyDeleteEllen you'd better watch out, because I guarantee that one of these times Max is going to actually want to buy a monkey! LOL! ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat to share the joke together. We've just bought an ipad and speech app (Talk Tablet as we needed it in French). Unfortunately, the iPad is so fun and stimulating with all the cool games, that she's totally uninterested in asking for stuff with it... so far. A step in the right direction though and she is only 3. Thanks for your advice Ellen!
ReplyDeleteYou have perfectly articulated that particular experience I go through several times a day. And you're right sometimes you just have to laugh particularly because of all those times it feels like walking on eggshells. I will check out your video - we love the program!
ReplyDeleteHow cute is that! I love it when you find a way to laugh!
ReplyDeleteOh sure! Go ahead! Buy that monkey. Can you imagine? Max and the monkey would have their own language. Some people with disabilities do use monkeys to open doors for them, pick up pencils. Heck you could probably train him to make milkshakes!
ReplyDeleteI love this!
ReplyDeleteWhen I don't understand something my child care toddlers are trying to say to me... I often repeat what they said... like...
ReplyDeletethem: "A maah ruh way!!
me: "A mahh ruh way??"
OOOOoohhh... The cat ran away!!