OUCH! Being a pediatric SLP who specializes in early intervention, this hit a little too close to home.

My heart sank as I read her story.  She had just finished the initial evaluation with her state’s early intervention team, and they told her they suspected that her son has autism. 

As she typed the post, there she was right smack in the middle of those first stages of grief, bouncing back and forth between denial, isolation, and anger, all there in black and white for the world to see. 

I felt so badly for her.  Even though I’ve never met her, I know her. I’ve been on the other side of the table from her for years, sitting right across from her, trying to swallow the lump in my throat, gripping my well-worn test manual with white knuckles, and trying my best not to tear up as I deliver the words that would confirm her worst fears.  It’s not easy being a dream killer.  

Since I originally read her blog, I’ve thought about her often.  Sometimes it’s because I’ve told a mom the truth, and I could see all over her face how much my words hurt her.  Sometimes I’ve thought about it when I’ve opted to save a hard conversation for another day.  In recent years there have been a few times when I’ve decided that life-changing news can wait a week or two.  The truth is that sometimes you’re never ready to hear what might need to be said about your child. 

Just this week I ran across that same blog, again while doing research for this site.  At least 6 months have passed since I read her thoughts, and my how things have changed.  This mom has blossomed into a wonderful resource of realistic hope and practical information for other parents.  Her words are not the kind of too-good-to-be-true “cure” that you read about in supermarket magazines or hear from a celebrity on Oprah.  As she shares her story, you read about the hard work of one family doing everything they can to help their young son.                           

When I contacted her to see if she’d mind if I posted a link to her blog here at teachmetotalk.com, I wrote that I’d thought about her original post often since reading it, especially when having those initial difficult conversations with parents.  

She sent me back this comment, “I wish I could give you advice as to how to soften that blow, but I have none. But think of it this way: the “blow” is an essential part of the journey. You can’t skip that step, and the anger and irrationality that comes with it.”

The next time I’m feeling queasy about the news I have to share, I hope I remember that.  

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You can read this mom’s blog “A Little Big Autistic” from our new blogroll. 

During this week’s show we’ll finish discussing in detail strategies for parents to use at home to help late talking children begin to communicate.  We’ll be discussing the technique of expansion and other ways to help children move from single words to phrases including specific recommendations for wholistic phrases and carrier phrases.  If you’re not sure what these are and how they can help your toddler, tune in!

If we have time, we’ll begin discussing the hierarchy of working on speech intelligibility with toddlers and young children.  This may be a little technical for some listeners, but if you want very specific guidelines in what to target first to improve speech intelligibility in toddlers, as well as what to save for later and what to ignore all together, this is the show for you!  If you’re an early interventionist or pediatric speech-language pathologist, I think you’ll find this information extremely helpful if this is a new topic for you, or a good refresher if it’s not new.  If we don’t get to this topic on Friday, August 29, we’ll definitely cover it or finish it next Friday, September 5! 

If you missed it, you can listen to Parts 1 and 2 of this series from last couple of shows by clicking the Blogtalkradio icon on our home page.  We discussed using playfulness, sign language, modeling, choices, and withholding. 

Thanks to all of the GREAT callers who have joined us!  We enjoyed your questions!  We’d LOVE to hear from you!  You can call in and ask us your own questions about your own child when you listen LIVE on Fridays at 1:00 - 2:00 pm Eastern Time. The TOLL-FREE call in number is (718) 766-4332.  

If you can’t join us then, but still need a question answered on air, send me an e-mail at laura@teachmetotalk.com or post a comment here on our site. 

Either way, please join us! I can’t wait to hear from you!!!!

Upcoming topics for this fall in September & October -  

• Low muscle tone - How important a factor is muscle tone in learning to talk (and walk)? A pediatric physical therapist will join us for an explanation of low tone, high tone, strength, coordination, and all things related to muscle tone!  We’ll also talk about oral motor exercises - when to use ‘em and when to ditch ‘em! Look for the announcement for the date coming soon!

• A new series of shows on language comprehension or receptive language skills including a preview of the info from my new DVD which should be ready for release in September - ”Teach Me To Listen and Obey!”  

Don’t see what YOU are hoping we’ll discuss?  Call us and ASK, or shoot me an e-mail at Laura@teachmetotalk.com.  Thanks so much for your input!

Exchange Policy

The Laura Mize Group will gladly exchange your purchase of any defective or damaged DVD if returned within 30 days of the shipping date, excluding shipping & handling. Damaged or defective DVDs may only be exchanged for the same DVD within 30 days of the original shipping date and with the return of the original damaged or defective DVD.  We will not charge you shipping & handling on the replacement DVD.   Send an e-mail to johnny@teachmetotalk.com for specific instructions.  We are not liable for exchanges that do not reach us.  We cannot accept packages C.O.D.  Exchanges may take up to 2 weeks.  This policy is subject to change without notice.      

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DISCLAIMER

DON’T LET THIS PRODUCTION KEEP YOU FROM SEEKING PROFESSIONAL ADVICE.  TALK TO YOUR CHILD’S PEDIATRICIAN ABOUT ANY CONCERNS YOU HAVE ABOUT HIS OR HER DEVELOPMENT.  IF YOU FEEL YOUR CHILD HAS A SPEECH-LANGUAGE DELAY OR PROBLEM, PLEASE KNOW THAT HE OR SHE WILL BEST BE SERVED BY BEING EVALUATED BY A LICENSED SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST WHO SPECIALIZES IN PEDIATRICS.  WHILE ALL ADVICE ON THIS SITE AND IN OUR PRODUCTS ARE SUPPORTED BY RESEARCH AND YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND FIELD TESTING, WE CANNOT AND DO NOT MAKE ANY SPECIFIC CLAIMS OR GUARANTEES ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF THE TECHNIQUES WITH YOUR PARTICULAR CHILD.