One evening, during dinner, my three-year-old son, Max, looked at me with a mischievous sparkle in his eye. Mid-sentence, he interrupted me with a playful, “Mommy, shhh.” The room fell silent, all eyes on him. At that moment, he let out a loud fart, quickly bursting into giggles.
Surprised, I chuckled, “Did you shush me just to show off your farting skills?” He stood up on his chair, grinning from ear to ear, and exclaimed, “YES!”
While this may seem like a typical moment for a toddler, it’s truly remarkable for us. Max has autism, and just six months prior, his speech was limited to a few words. Now, he calls me by name, makes requests, and even engages in playful teasing.
This transformation is thanks to his dedicated speech therapists. Twice a week, I take Max to a vibrant therapy center nearby, where he joyfully strides in hand in hand with his speech language pathologist. These professionals work with him for 30 to 45 minutes, yet in that brief time, they significantly enhance his communication abilities.
Each week brings new progress, and I cherish the proud moments when he expresses himself more clearly at home. We fought hard for these speech therapy services, as we witnessed his growing frustration from his inability to communicate. He might have been almost three, but his communication skills were closer to those of a child under one year old. He had thoughts and desires trapped inside, unable to articulate them, leading to frustration for both him and us.
By the time he was evaluated, he had begun to withdraw, sometimes spending entire days without attempting to connect. He would occasionally have meltdowns when he couldn’t express even the simplest of requests.
I went into that evaluation feeling desperate. It was as if my child was stranded on an island, and I had no idea how to reach him. Speech therapy became the bridge connecting him to the world. Now, he’s learning to engage with us, expressing himself in ways I never thought possible.
To the speech therapists, your work is transformative. It often feels like you’re performing magic. Thank you for dedicating years to mastering the science behind speech and language. You understand the intricate processes that allow us to communicate—something most of us take for granted.
Your commitment to tackling difficult cases is inspiring. You sit with Max each week, knowing he may or may not respond, yet you never treat him as a waste of your time. You prepare reports on his progress, and when you assure me of your next session, I know you’ll take his hand and believe in him.
Thank you for celebrating his achievements alongside us. Your genuine excitement over his progress reflects my own joy. You take the emotional risks involved in investing in your clients, which is why you change lives.
For our family, speech therapy has been a game changer, but for others, it could be emotional or occupational therapy. Whatever the case may be, thank you for your efforts in supporting our children.
Just six months ago, I was lying in my husband’s arms, crying because I wasn’t sure if I could give my child anything he truly wanted for Christmas. He simply couldn’t tell me what he wanted. This week, when I asked him which stuffed animal he preferred, he confidently responded, “This brown puppy!”
I now understand my child in ways I never thought possible. I know his preferences, thoughts, and desires. While his speech may not yet mirror that of a typical three-year-old, the goal for children with autism isn’t to sound typical; it’s to express themselves. You provide him the freedom to learn at his own pace while encouraging his growth.
Although speech therapy isn’t sorcery, you create a sense of magic with each milestone. One incredibly precious moment I owe to you happened after a few months of therapy. As I held Max close before bed, I said, “I love you, buddy.” To my astonishment, he gently pushed his hair aside, locked eyes with me, and said, “Love you too, Mama.” That moment was priceless, as were the countless times he’s repeated it since. You have given my son an invaluable gift, changing our lives forever. I eagerly look forward to witnessing his continued growth.
To speech therapists everywhere, while your work may not be magic, it certainly brings a touch of enchantment into our lives with every step forward. Your dedication deserves endless praise.
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In summary, the journey of communication for my son has been transformative, moving from frustration to expression, all thanks to the dedicated effort of his speech therapists. Their work is invaluable, changing lives one milestone at a time.