Advancing Beyond Eating
Greetings to everyone.
Today, the three of us met with Mrs. Robin, Xavier's speech therapist. It's been several weeks since Xavier last saw Robin; even longer since I attended a session. We had determined that Xavier showed better advancement if he did not see Robin every week.
Today's meeting was not another session of helping Xavier figure out how to chew, swallow and eat with age-appropriate skill. Today was a language assessment.
Xavier got to play the whole session while Mrs. Robin asked Rebecca and me many questions. Our answers provided the basis of where Xavier is at speech-wise. The questions took nearly the full hour to get through.
Xavier is a little behind for the 18-21 month grouping, but nearly spot-on for the 15-18 month grouping. Xavier will now be seeing Mrs. Robin once or twice a month for a while (we have an approved referral for 21 visits through May 2015), these sessions to catch him up on speaking. His delay in eating skills helped put him behind a little in speaking. Mrs. Robin also mentioned that having him in preschool will help with his speech also, as other children his age will have success with teaching him English. We already have several "exercises" to work with Xavier; these are easy games which easily integrate into most interactions with Xavier.
Mrs. Robin also gave us some sound advice for managing Xavier's leaning toward vestibular sensory input. He is a kinesthetic child, and does very well when learning and teaching accommodate this fact. Mrs. Robin did a number of tests with Xavier while asking us her language questions (his responses to her tests impressed her several times). The advice she gave us concerning Xavier going to school and sitting through a church service (for example) we will put to use. It all involves special and directed types of activity. This will even help when bringing him to a dinner table.
She also recommended an occupational therapist see Xavier. This will not be like his previous OT, but someone well-suited for Xavier's disposition, someone who can work with Xavier and explain to us how best to manage and direct him for his best interests in his need to be active.