Speech Update

Warren and I got a chance to observe Jiro's speech therapy at the University of Memphis. Since I've been sitting in with him during his classes through the City schools, I was eager to compare. For our observation, we hid behind a one way mirror, which allowed us to see Jiro without him seeing us. I had mentioned to him that we would be observing, but I don't think he quite registered it. (Or if he did, he didn't let on.)

His therapy is a "group" session, so there is another little boy in the class with him. Over the past few months, Jiro and Gary (not his real name) have gotten more comfortable with each other and have almost gotten to the point of acknowledging each other in the waiting room. (It's cute.) Their teacher, Miss Lily (not her real name) is a senior and is very mild-mannered and sweet.

The classes at the University of Memphis differ from those at the City schools in that they focus on motor skills rather than just pronunciation. (Also the classes are an hour rather than 30 minutes.) The first exercise the boys do is a movement exercise--either dancing, hopping, or walking in circles to music. This is to get their bodies loosened up. To say that watching them do their warm-up routine was adorable would be an understatement.

Once they are warmed up, they do three different activities. First they took turns playing with Play-Doh while the other practiced their words. (They are each working on different things.) Gary seemed to be practicing making sentences using gender specific pronouns. Jiro was working on repeating words with J and C/K sounds. He said each of his words/sentences ten times in a row. This is again a motor activity designed to make the sound a habit.

After the Play-Doh activity, they moved to a new table where they took turns having a snack (craisins, Cheerios, and apple juice) while the other practiced. Finally, they went to a third area where they "washed" toy cars in a bin of water with washcloths. (Oh my goodness they loved this activity!)

If Jiro has trouble with a sound or a word, he utilized the method of breaking it down (i.e. fun = f + un), except he used his hands to help him (i.e. one hand is one sound and the other hand is the other, then you knock them together to make the word).

Throughout the whole class, each child was very focused on his work. While they clearly enjoyed each other's company, they did not goof off or interrupt the other one. It was pretty amazing. Miss Lily was really good about helping them stay focused and verbally rewarding them when they did well or tried hard.

Satchel has been invited to participate as a "peer example" next week. I really wish I could watch that! Satchel and Jiro are both looking forward to it. (He goes with Jiro to his other classes at the City schools sometimes too and gets to play games. Jiro loves for him to come and I think it has been great for Satchel to see Jiro working hard to improve his speech.)