One evening, as we sat around the dinner table, my three-year-old son, Lucas, looked at me with a mischievous sparkle in his eye. In the middle of my rambling about the day, he interrupted with a playful, “Mommy, shhh.” Instantly, we all paused, curious about his sudden request.
And then, as if on cue, he let out a loud fart and erupted into giggles. I couldn’t help but laugh and exclaimed, “Did you just shush me to make sure we all heard that?” With a beaming smile, he stood on his chair and shouted, “YES!”
You might think this is just another typical moment for a toddler, and you’d be correct. But for us, it was something truly special. You see, Lucas is on the autism spectrum, and just six months ago, his verbal skills were limited to a few words. Now, he can call me by name, make requests, and even tease us in his own adorable way.
This remarkable transformation is thanks to the dedicated speech therapists who have been guiding him. Twice a week, I take Lucas to a vibrant therapy center nearby, where he eagerly holds hands with one of his speech language pathologists. In those brief sessions, they work wonders, helping him develop his communication skills.
Each week, Lucas learns something new, and I witness his pride as he realizes he can express his needs and wants. We fought hard for his speech therapy services because we saw the growing frustration in him. At three years old, he was communicating like a much younger child, and it was heartbreaking to see him struggle to connect with us.
When we finally got him evaluated, I felt as if he was drifting away from us, lost in his own world. Days would pass without him attempting to reach out, and when he couldn’t express even the simplest desire, he would sometimes have meltdowns.
I approached his evaluation like a lifeline, feeling as if my little boy was on an isolated island. Speech therapy became the bridge connecting him to us. Now, he’s learning to invite us into his world and to articulate his thoughts and feelings. He can be completely himself while engaging with those around him. All he needed were the right words.
To the speech therapists, your work is nothing short of transformative. It truly feels like magic to us. Thank you for dedicating years to mastering the science of speech and language. While most of us simply speak without a second thought, you understand the intricate processes that make communication possible. That level of knowledge is astonishing.
Thank you for your unwavering dedication to even the most challenging cases. You spend precious time with my son, knowing he might surprise you with a breakthrough or choose to remain silent. But you never see him as a waste of time; instead, you provide insights and encouragement that keep us hopeful.
Your excitement in celebrating his achievements is palpable. When Lucas waves goodbye and says, “See ya later,” the joy in your face mirrors my own. It’s a risk to invest emotionally in your clients, yet you do it wholeheartedly, changing lives in the process.
While speech therapy has made a significant difference for us, I know similar stories exist across various therapies, whether emotional, physical, or occupational. Your ability to work your magic for our children is invaluable.
Just six months ago, I was in tears, worried I wouldn’t know how to give Lucas what he wanted for Christmas. This week, he confidently pointed to a stuffed animal and said, “I want this brown puppy!” I now understand my child in ways I never thought possible. He may not speak like all three-year-olds yet, but his ability to express himself is a huge milestone, and that’s what matters.
Speech therapy may not be magic, but it brings a sprinkle of wonder into our lives with each new achievement. I will always be grateful for the incredible moments you help create.
One particularly heartwarming milestone, I can hardly write about without tearing up. After a few months of therapy, I held Lucas close before bed and said, “I love you, buddy.” To my utter delight, he looked me in the eye, pushed his hair back, and replied, “Love you too, Mama.” There are no words to express my gratitude for that moment or for all the times since he’s said it. You’ve given my son the most precious gift, and our lives are forever changed.
To speech therapists everywhere, your work may not be magic, but it certainly feels like it.
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In summary, the journey through speech therapy has been a profound one for our family, transforming ordinary moments into extraordinary milestones. With the support of dedicated therapists, my son has begun to bridge the gap between us, allowing for true connection and understanding.
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