Monday 30 January 2012

Speech Therapist in Training!

By the title of this post, you may think that I am referring to myself as the speech therapist in training. I am, however, not referring to myself, but to my 8 year old daughter Flash.

You can see her here, helping her little brother, Buster (4)  who has childhood apraxia of speech or dispraxia. This is a speech delay that I have described here.




There is actually some irony in what you can see in thist video. You see, Flash was also diagnosed with apraxia/dispraxia, when she was 3 years old (see here and here). After early intervention and exhaustive practice at home, she is now able to speak quite well, even though I was warned that she may never speak clearly.

It is my daughter, that gives me the best hope that Buster will too, win this battle against apraxia.

Flash is in a unique position as she seems to remember how it felt to have dispraxia. She is able to really understand and empathize with the difficulties Buster is having with is speech.  She also seems to get the best out of him and at the moment, Buster prefers to do his practice with his big sister.


I can’t help but get a little emotional when I watch Flash and Buster practicing their speech. The level of caring and patience Flash demonstrates for her little brother is enough to melt any mother’s heart…….

……. I am just so proud of them both…….

The device you see them using in the video is a 'smart chute’ from Smart kids. It’s purpose is to help kids develop literacy and numeracy, but I thought that it could be adapted to help Buster with his sounds and putting them together to make words.



He, like many other preschoolers just loves the concept of ‘posting’ the card. That action of posting, seems to be reward enough for having attempted to say the correct sound. You can see how much he enjoys using it in the video.

One of my major goals for this year is to ensure that I practice busters speech so that he can beat this apraxia curse….. so he can find, and share his beautiful voice with the world. I have been coming up with ways to keep his speech practice fun and exciting.

I was motivated to set out my goals in 2012 by my participation in the me and you link-up at The Mother Experiment. The  reins have now been handed over to A Parenting Life.

 The me and you, making it matter meme is a terrific way to start the process of figuring out your goals and receive support and encouragement from the wonderful community there.

You can find the 'me and YOU, making IT matter meme here:

A Parenting Life


I am also linking up with Jess, at Diary of a SAHM for #IBOT. Pop over to her inspirational blog to see what others have posted today!






25 comments:

  1. Yes can imagine the joy from simple act of "posting" items for the kids :) really heart-warming watching Flash spend time ands care for her Lil bro.

    Ai @ Sakura Haruka

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    1. Thanks for your kind comment Ai; I have to admit, they spend 50% of their time bickering and fighting as well!!

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  2. Oh what a wonderful big sister :)

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    1. Thank you Marita! I am very proud of the girl she has become!

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  3. That is just brilliant (and effective).
    What a fantastic sister,
    :-)

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    1. Thank you! Flash does seem to get the best results from buster.

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  4. How wonderful for big sis to help her little brother like that. I am sure that kind of learning has much greater impact than many a professional.

    Thank you so much for linking up, it made my otherwise somewhat crappy day

    Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses

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    1. Yes, kids seem to learn so much more easily when it's fun for them.

      Me and YOU, Making IT matter is a great link-up!! IT will just take off soon :)

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  5. That is great the his big sister is helping him.

    We have some trouble with my eldest sons speech. We struggled to get a referral for him to see anyone and finally got one this year. We are still waiting for the appointment. He is 5.

    I am going to check out that Smart kids product now :)

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    1. Thanks Amy for your lovely comment. I have been waiting to see an ear nose and throat specialist for my son for 4 months....it can be so frustrating!!

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  6. Not sure if my comment posted... sorry if this is a double-up.

    Great work on using the Smart Chute. We have one at work (i'm a speech path) and we use it for sound cards too. Posting is so amazingly motivating.

    Also, your daughter is doing a fabulous job! What a great big sister. If only all my clients were as easily motivated as your little man!

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    1. Thanks so much for your feed back Julie! I'm glad to know that I'm heading in the right direction. Buster does love to post those cards!

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  7. Oh how beautiful is flash? So gorgeous that she has the understanding and compassion for her brother. Must make you so proud :)

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    1. Thanks Jess....There is really a special bond between siblings isn't there.....except when they are fighting, teasing and torturing each other :)

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  8. That is so so sweet. What a lovely relationship your kids have!

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  9. Sibling relationships can be so incredible at times... and often when you least expect it! I love seeing heartwarming stories like this one. :)

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    1. Thanks Misha...watching them together like this is something I really want to remember!

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  10. Flash is so wonderfully encouraging! They're doing a great job.

    Loved the clapping of syllables.

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    1. Thanks Jayne. The clapping really seems to help him get his sounds in the correct order.

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  11. What amazing work your little girl is doing! Such enthusiasm, and she only looked at you at the end to celebrate your son's progress. She was getting so much enjoyment from his success! Loved watching this amazing interaction, how fab you have it on video. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thanks Pip! I love blogging because it gives me the opportunity to record and share these moments!

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  12. This is so beautiful. I can totally understand why this makes your heart melt. Flash doesn't even seem to have had any speech challenges from the way she speaks now. That is a great testament. Hopefully Buster will be similar in no time. Maybe Flash will find a love for this kind of work in future and become a speech therapist. You never know!

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    1. Thanks Veronica. Flash's speech is quite good now. She still struggles a lot with spelling at school though.

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  13. Thank you so much! what a wonderful thing to say..you have just made my day! I'm so glad you enjoyed the information on my site!

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