SLP

'Hey Jen!' This morning I didn't talk about Jen before she got here. I didn't bring any attention to her coming in the house or anything. DS was looking out the front door and saw Jen when she got here, and when we walked into the living room he shouts 'HEY JEN!' How awesome! Praise, Praise, Praise. We had a great session today. Jen pulled out some new games and it showed us how far his language has come in 12 weeks time. It was awesome to watch. He's asking for help spontaneously. He's asking 'please' for things. He's answering Yes/No questions. We both noted that he is using the same questions and answers that we have supplied him with, but he is using them appropriately and getting quicker and quicker with them. He isn't just saying 'Need Help Please' spontaneously and RANDOM... he really does need help. He is understanding how to use those words functionally. Now, we move to more kinds of questions and more complex games. Jen made me feel really good because she said that she can tell when parents are really working on the goals throughout the week & that this type of progress doesn't happen without it. I turned it around and also thanked her b/c this also doesn't happen without the instruction that she provides. It is also MUCH easier to continue working on these skills when it WORKS. He has worked SO hard & is really blossoming on his receptive AND expressive language. The new game she brought today was a neat little puzzle board. There are lots of animals and when you put the front & back pieces (say of a cow) together on the board correctly, it moo's. Since it was a new toy, she let him practice his existing skills this week. He asked for help to open the bag appropriately. He asked for the pieces appropriately. He asked for help to get the pieces in the right position appropriately. It was great. Next week, i fully expect NEW questions with this game. We had a great time!