Collin Speaks

This week has been a great week for Collin. It was our 3rd week visiting the speech therapist and having home visits from our NCOESC coordinator. During the evalutation and assessment, Collin wouldn't speak to anyone and he would hardly do what they asked him to do. He has gradually warmed up and this week, he actually spoke! It is so exciting to hear him talking to people.

The first time was 2 weeks ago at Playgroup. Collin was playing with a little girl his age and actually laughing and talking to her. When it was time to go, he told her, " I have to go home now!" It was so cute. It seems so small, but for Collin, this is huge! Then, the following Monday when we had our home visit, it didn't take him very long to start talking to Susan. He responded right away to a book she brought called, Go Away, Big Green Monster! He really enjoyed it. He talked with her the rest of the visit. On Thursday we had our speech therapy appointment at Ridgedale. These sessions are only 30 minutes. It doesn't seem like very much time, especially when it takes Collin so long to warm up! He tried to avoid talking most of the time, but by the end, he talked. The last 5 minutes were successful! I know all who are invlolved are very excited. When we left, he told me he was going to talk to her all the time now. I told him how much more fun he can have when he talks to his friends and teachers.

I am so pleased with the outcome of this. My biggest goal for the year was simple. I wanted to see Collin playing with kids his own age and enjoying himself. Next, of course, I would like to see improvement with his speech and responding to adults, but I basically wanted to see him enjoying other kids in his age group. I know they are going to recommend preschool for him. I can see how it would help him. It is amazing how different every child is. Any preschool recommendations would be appreciated!

Thanks for all your prayers for Collin this year!