Speech, speech and more speech

Today was a big day for Speech for both boys. This morning Rhys had his long awaited second speech evaluation. This afternoon Owyn had his first real session of Speech Therapy.

Two years ago Rhys got evaluated for speech. He was two and a half. He spent three hours in a room with his Mama and the therapist. She decided his problem was articulation. Insurance doesn't cover Artic and we don't cover $250.00 a session therapy on our own.

Since then two Dr's and his OT therapist all said that there was no way his problem was artic. This was enough to get Rhys another appointment. We made a point of asking for a more experienced therapist to do this one. Rhys and Mama went this morning.

This eval was an hour long. The therapist worked with Rhys to get through as many tests as possible, though many were left undone. At the end of the day, she said that his problem is a medical problem and that he will need therapy. Now to get insurance to pay for it.

This afternoon I picked up Owyn, after work, and rushed him home. We had half an hour to wind down and then his speech therapist showed up. Last week she came but it was more of a sensing session then therapy. Today was the real deal.

Owyn shined. He started out a little rough but by the time we were done he was actively participating, repeating words and asking for things with words rather than points and grunts. His words were still mostly only intelligible by association, meaning we knew what he was saying because we had just said it or were pointing at the duck when he said duck. On the other hand he was trying.

It was a struggle to get his Gee away. We were waiting until post-op to try to wean him off it. Sadly, it is now post-op and we have to do it. We are going to start by not letting him have it until after dinner. If we can get that far it is a short step to just at bed time. He already doesn't get it during the day.

Did anyone know that the latest recommendation is that small children hear between 17,000 and 30,000 words every DAY? I don't say that many words in a freaking year.