We have an /s/ blend

Big, big news today.  Almost as big as when Ashlynn said a final /k/ for the first time.  Today, she has her first ever /s/ blend!  /S/ blends are a common error with speech kiddos; however, typically developing kids usually acquire them by three and half years at the latest. It was with “spider” in the Little Critter books.  We are making progress!

Still on a sippy cup

Still on a sippy cup

Ashlynn is 4.5 years old.  Though as a baby she never really had a problem latching or drinking out of a bottle, she eventually showed signs very early of oral apraxia.  I remember looking at some teething biscuits and the box saying it was for 9 months and older and thinking, “are they for real??”  She’ll choke on that!!”I remember my sister-in-law talking about babysitting my niece when she was

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The importance of touch

The importance of touch

“Touching helps us build relationships with one another.”This is a simple but profound quote from an article I read on the power of touch: Importance through touch.  It went on to say that babies first communicate through touch and crying, and that their needs are met mainly through touch. It got me thinking. Since Ashlynn took longer to talk, she could only continue to communicate with us through touch and

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“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

I love, LOVE Maya Angelou.  I always have.  I was talking with a friend today who was concerned about her apraxic son talking so he can get a job one day.  In the midst of apraxia, in the midst of our children not speaking, us parents all get caught up in the thick, dense trees.  We all, including myself, miss the forest.  In the end, we all ultimately just want

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“She just needs more repetition than most.”

“She just needs more repetition than most.”

Today was Ashlynn’s Spring parent/teacher conference.  I don’t know what I expect really.  As much as most of the time is spent focusing on her strengths, all that hits me like a ton of bricks is what she ISN’T yet doing. My husband thought I was crazy.  He couldn’t come to the meeting today, but read the paper tonight at dinner and told me he felt it was predominantly positive. 

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Her first “favorite”

Her first “favorite”

Kids always seem to have a favorite flavor of the week. Parents probably promote this. What is your favorite color? What was your favorite animal at the zoo? What was your favorite candy you received on Halloween? What is your favorite TV show, movie, toy, food, dessert etc etc. if Ashlynn has ever been partial to anything, we have never known, until last weekend. We went on a mini vacation

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