understanding and communication

 Have you ever had the feeling you have been misunderstood, I had a really positive experience for my son today but for some reason it feels sad. Today for the second time in a speech therapy sense (other areas is different) I felt like my son was understood, now this wasn't in the sense that she had all the answers but she did have some. Last year we had a pscyhologist raise the question of whether or not my son had autism, I have discussed this in a recent post but not how it felt to me. I know my boy as well as I can and in this instance I felt that he wasn't understood at all, it didn't seem to matter what my opinion was she had 20 years of experience remember, she didn't consult his psychologist who sees him and has done for over 3 years. It was her opinion that she gave after two appointments and this was after asking for her opinion which took 3 months for her to get back to me. So from that moment it felt like he was labelled and even though I didn't agree with it, I couldn't shake it from him. 

So the last few months we have been on a journey in March we began medication after much soul searching and this has made a huge difference for him. We told people that our child was a chatterbox and the shock and disbelief was written all over their faces. It felt like my child wasn't known, wasn't understand and no-one knew what he was thinking about how he felt and what he wanted to say. After some success in Perth at an OT (random good results) he started speaking at school. It has been a journey still frought with moments of anxiety and different problems we thought he would generalise slowly but instead he did it way too fast and we weren't prepared for other issues. We discovered he is a little behind in some of the social norms for his age because he wasn't speaking and only in that area. 

Today was part of that journey he was getting assessed for his speech his first real assessment when he can actually speak to the therapist it is the first time he is 7 years old. After all the anxiety that I have been holding in and thinking about today it was all dissolved just like his psychologist she could see my real boy who has some serious something going on with his speech but she said that his behaviour and speech is "outside of the spectrum" numerous things he was able to do and say showed that his behaviour was not consistent with a child who had ASD. As I had asked that they would write a short email/report/summary for the paed's reference it was even asked if it would help to address the criteria and how it relates to Josiah so helpful and also might I add it's nice to be listened to and not told I have 20 years of experience in this industry. 

So now we are coming up to the Paed appointment I have been dreading because I let him know let's wait six months and see how he is going and then let's discuss the autism question then. In preparation we have just managed to see a speech therapist who has dealt with Selective Mutism and Autism as well so suitably qualified. Now you have to understand it has not been easy we have had good speechies but some were horrible, one said I don't know how I'm going to work with him if he won't talk to me, I have other children who need help too. And the reactions from people if he doesn't speak to them. I have the feeling that some people wouldn't talk to him because he didn't talk back they were offended and often would say rude things back. 

No he wasn't naughty and yes he does want you to speak to him and yes he can understand every horrible thing you are saying. No it's not ok to put him on the spot please wait for him to warm up first and you know what I don't want him to talk to strangers in the shops so little old lady I don't care if he doesn't talk to you because it doesn't matter it really doesn't matter. It doesn't matter whether or not they say hello or goodbye or please, it matters how they act if he is rude, their lack of speech doesn't make him rude so give him a break.  And lastly if you spent time with him properly without the expectation you may earn the privilege of him speaking to you it's not a right.   

Now I got that off my chest I can breathe a little more, so today was a better experience I must say the expression of understanding how hard it must have been for him, no-one ever said that before NOBODY. That he has a love for communication and that some children are naturally quiet he aint one of them. When he spent time with this speechy it was almost like he did better because she was there encouraging him and telling him to do it when he was doubting himself. He did such a great job with speaking and engaging in a long conversation with her as well as retelling a story I was so proud. I have to say when we are properly understood and being free to be who we are meant to be no expectation of anything that is when we truly excel. It looks like we might be in for a good block of therapy sessions ahead if this is just the beginning.