Well, after 3 1/2 years of Speech Therapy, Hunter has come to a point end which he no longer qualifies for it thru the school district. It's a bitter-sweet moment.
We've done a lot of looking back to when he was 2 years old, and barely producing an understandable words or sounds, and the feelings of hopelessness as parents that came along with that, and the fear of what the future may hold for him. As any parent, you worry about all the little things, and only want what is best for our children. We found a wonderful ST, Jamie, who worked so well with Hunter. He absolutely adored her - and she even lived right down the street from us! She was wonderful with him, and was ultimately the one to diagnosis him with Apraxia of Speech, and began the therapy that would benefit him the most.
Once he turned 3, Hunter moved on to the school system to recieve his speech therapy. So in the fall of 2006, he began his first year of preschool thru Mead School District. He THRIVED in this environment, and LOVED it. He loved being a "big boy" and riding the bus to school. He loved recess and making new friends. He speech disorder has never held him back or caused him any unforeseen embarrassment.
Another bittersweet moment - the last day of preschool, saying goodbye to all his teachers that he has spent the past 2 years with, learning and growing each day with them. But we all knew - he was ready for kindergarten. 5 years old and he had the world in the palm of his hands. All boy, just ready to run in head first and tackle whatever challenges he may face. And he's done just that.
Six months into the school year, and the IEP team felt that he has reached all of his goals, and is now at a level with his peers. Oh, what a day!!! We've been looking forward to this since the day of his diagnosis, and yet never dreamed it would be so soon! We are so proud of him, for all of his hard work. And many, many thanks to everyone that has worked with him over the past 3 1/2 years (Jamie - thank you for catching him before he fell thru the system! and Shianne, as she has been a huge help)!!
We've done a lot of looking back to when he was 2 years old, and barely producing an understandable words or sounds, and the feelings of hopelessness as parents that came along with that, and the fear of what the future may hold for him. As any parent, you worry about all the little things, and only want what is best for our children. We found a wonderful ST, Jamie, who worked so well with Hunter. He absolutely adored her - and she even lived right down the street from us! She was wonderful with him, and was ultimately the one to diagnosis him with Apraxia of Speech, and began the therapy that would benefit him the most.
Once he turned 3, Hunter moved on to the school system to recieve his speech therapy. So in the fall of 2006, he began his first year of preschool thru Mead School District. He THRIVED in this environment, and LOVED it. He loved being a "big boy" and riding the bus to school. He loved recess and making new friends. He speech disorder has never held him back or caused him any unforeseen embarrassment.
Another bittersweet moment - the last day of preschool, saying goodbye to all his teachers that he has spent the past 2 years with, learning and growing each day with them. But we all knew - he was ready for kindergarten. 5 years old and he had the world in the palm of his hands. All boy, just ready to run in head first and tackle whatever challenges he may face. And he's done just that.
Six months into the school year, and the IEP team felt that he has reached all of his goals, and is now at a level with his peers. Oh, what a day!!! We've been looking forward to this since the day of his diagnosis, and yet never dreamed it would be so soon! We are so proud of him, for all of his hard work. And many, many thanks to everyone that has worked with him over the past 3 1/2 years (Jamie - thank you for catching him before he fell thru the system! and Shianne, as she has been a huge help)!!
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