While both the autistic and the hearing impaired have little speech / articulate speech, the problem for both is a bit different. The access to understanding sound maybe blocked by the brain (at times) in the autistic, but in the case of the deaf the ear (and/or the brain) plays the villain and obstructs sound from reaching in. But teaching speech is probably the same. As you know:
At ages three, four, and five a child's vocabulary rapidly increases, and he or she begins to master the rules of language. These rules include the rules of phonology (speech sounds), morphology (word formation), syntax (sentence formation), semantics (word and sentence meaning), prosody (intonation and rhythm of speech), and pragmatics (effective use of language).
Teaching the deaf child speech is probably a little different. Hearing aids, implants etc are important to aid speech. The child is more receptive, tries to gauge sound, tries to hear and reproduce sound. What both the deaf and the autistic need is to "listen".
Children are children and our responsibility is to pull them into our circle as gently as possible. Cajole them into interacting. Even if you don't know which method to adopt as a mother, you know the aim so move towards it. Take hints from your therapist and start home schooling at once. "Reinforcement is the key to many questions. Break things down and persist." I was taught to say this along with my prayers every morning. Your child needs mainstreaming and who better to initiate this than you as the mother?
Use plenty of colourful flash cards which may force him to pay attention to you. Large colourful story books are helpful.
This content was originally posted by: tulipbaby53@ Skep: I loved reading your post! You spoke everything so clearly, and it's very true. I love this line especially: "Reinforcement is the key to many questions. Break things down and persist." This is what I have to with my brother to get him to learn and remember his work. These words were told to me by my teacher when I became a teacher. Its a motto for all those who take care of children.
@ Simz: Yeah, the USA is so-called "open-minded" and "broad", but it's very backward in many ways compared to other countries. Especially with assisting special needs children and their parents as well. It's really bad! ππΌ I really feel from my heart for all those parents that have to go through battles with the schools or insurance companies just to get their child the right attention.@ Mahika: I don't know...maybe you all should just go to India? I'm not trying to butt in you all's personal business, but I think it might be nice for your son. I don't know how well he'll deal with the long flight, but your relatives do need to see him and accept him for who he is. It must be hard though to deal with people's narrowmindedness, but I think you both as parents will be able to handle it well! πYes I agree.
This content was originally posted by: MahikaLI appreciate you writing about your experience with travel, Swapna. I haven't taken the kids to India, but my daughter has come with me to SEAsia, where my immediate family is. Even before we had a diagnosis for my son, I sort of knew he would scream through the flight etc. And my parents are pretty elderly, so they can't help me a whole lot.
We've taken him on trips within the US, and he usually adapts pretty well, as long as we keep his routine the same. The food has always been a nightmare, though. He won't eat unless I cook the food and make all the textures how he likes, and his digestion goes nuts if there any new ingredients. And countless times we were made to throw away soy milk at security checkpoints, leaving him with nothing to drink on flights.
Poor Rish, I can just imagine how he felt. I'm glad he enjoys his UK trips, though. Will you ever move back, you think?
I am also afraid of my MIL's reactions to people's comments. She is very invested in other people's good opinions, plus she is very upset about my son's diagnosis, so we keep having to deal with her drama also. Sorry, I don't mean to be so disrespectful, but it's the truth. Mahika, being truthful is far from being dis-resprctful!!! She is having a hard time accepting him as he is, and there is a lot of pressure on us to sound upbeat about the whole thing around her. This makes us feel alone and tired. I know EXACTLY how you feel, we have many people on our side who give us the same grief, incl. my younger b-i-l, my f-i-l to name two. But if your m-i-l cannot come to terms with it that is her issue to deal with, NOT yours. You have enough to worry about without taking on someone else's issues on your shoulders. Just go about trying to enjoy yourselves and making it a memorable first trip for your kids... it's an AMAZING country, you should experience it as a family and enjoy it while you're there. My opinion honey, though I know there are no blacks and whites ulimately, but all the same, you are not obliged to accept everyone's opinion, especially someone who should really be trying to make things easier for you. What's the meaning of unconditional love otherwise. Tell your m-i-l to take a leaf from your kids' book and learn how to love and accept from them.Plan your trip Mahika, don't worry about pleasing everyone, it's a practical IMPOSSIBILITY.
Take Care,Swapna
There are so many posters here who have some connection to special children. That is awesome. It's so nice to read everyone's experiences and observations. I feel like I know some of you already.
Mahika.
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