Saturday, August 9, 2008

Speech Therapy Day 1 -- Evaluation

The speech evaluation was a very short session, only 30 minutes long (and I've forgotten the speech therapist's name... sorry, brain full, come back next week). Again it was mostly an interview/observation. I reiterated that Jake's speech development seemed to be on track until he started making sentences, around age 2 and 2.5. She mostly asked me questions, but also asked Jake to point to "the baby that is sleeping" and "to the thing that you ride (tricycle)" on a poster. Pointing to things is one of Jake's least favorite activities. He flat out refused "NO!" before, after much prompting finally jabbed his hand in the general direction of the correct object, then walked away.

The therapist determined that Jake is about one year behind in all things speech: cognition, language, communication, etc. She wants us to come back on Saturdays and 9 AM. The sessions are actually a way of setting up a home program, that is, she will give us things to work on, and we'll do that with him at home.

We are leaving for vacation on Sunday going to Prizer Point in Kentucky. There we'll meet with my best friend and her family. They have 3 girls, one of which is only 4 days in age difference from Jake. Of course I'm nervous about everything, hoping that everybody has a good time and doesn't get too stressed. We have a nice bungalow rented and my family is actually arriving two days before everyone else. Hopefully that will give Jake time to settle in to a routine. I hope that Jake, Steve and Manny get some rest and relaxation.