The communication strategy... trying to work what's best for the moment

My head feels like it's been in a spin cycle awaiting the last few drops to be released so I can move get it out and fluff it up again ;) I feel like I can't get a handle on my days. I'm running from this to that and unable to articulate very clearly to those I'm speaking to. Feeling a bit on the crazy side.

Besides all the random items which seem to be failing in my household, and the new infestations (which we've not had in the 11 years we've lived here), my mind is whirling about Ian's communication strategy. I'm sure I post about this quite often. Honestly I'm too tired to look back to keep it all straight. But after attempting to articulate all of the variables to Mike a couple times I think I'm shaking it out a bit.

Currently, Ian sees six speech therapists (a couple not precisely speech but all going towards generally the same goal). Amy & Adria who are at the same company but on different days because the main one didn't have 2 openings. They are both amazing at helping him to slowly form his sounds into something intelligible. They are very patient and persistent. We private pay and submit for reimburse from insurance.

Through the school district we see a super cool therapist at our home school down the street. Jen connects with him really well and is very interested in working out what the best method is helping him to successfully meet his IEP goals and then some. Definitely goes above and beyond to take the time to get to know him and speak with me about what everyone is working on with him.

Two times a week at school Andrea works with him in a small group setting. I've not been able to watch her work because the room they are in doesn't have a camera. But I will soon try to peek in during a session. She comes from a very highly respected small agency.

And then there is Alan, who is the therapist who oversees speech at his school. He's been amazingly generous with his time and expertise lately. Helping to understand where Ian is now and trying to help me where he can. He also tries to connect with Ian during the bits of time he's in the classroom. His strategy is really unique but quite effective. He focuses on connecting with the child in every way. Mimicking every move Ian makes, ever sound, every breath in order to make a connection. To establish back and forth dialogue of any sort. Quite remarkable to watch. And something I really need to work on doing more of at home.

And our most recent connection is a woman who comes to us through over 30 years of experience helping give a "voice" to those who can't form words. Dollie was using the first Macs in the 80's, very before her time. Ian has fascinated her with his ability to spell and use the iPad. We are still in the assessment/observation period but she will help us work out what his best tool might be to form sentences and words. GoTalk is not the one. It's more of a proper keyboard with a voice output.

Last, but not least, I'd consider his music therapist a sort of speech therapist of sorts as well. We were just discussing things tonight and trying to work out what slot she fits in the therapy pie.
Stacie not only gets him to sing along to her songs but he's also clapping his hands, stomping his feet, tapping his head, strumming her guitar and playing other instruments. Which all could be considered OT and PT.

So all of these wonderful people and I'm still perplexed on how to best support his every day communication! And I'm obsessing about it, which is what I tend to do ;-)

GoTalk seems limiting and he gets caught up in pressing all the buttons. But when it comes down to it can tap the one of the thing he wants. The card system also limits what he's able to say to the choices we give him. Dollie is suggesting programs which he can type on a keyboard to talk. But this will probably take a while to master. And in the mean time I'm just trying to communicate with him the best I can. Giving him as much space to "fill in" as possible when I can.

They began using a white board at school, which seems pretty helpful. He gets choices and they try to understand what he's trying to say and write it out. Still giving him choices but more alined to what he's saying. Dollie also gave me a print out of a keyboard he can point to. Helping out when  many letters sound the same and we can't figure out which one he's using.

So all of this and I think I need create more of a formal agreement with Alan to spend more time with him each day, even if it's 15 minutes. Maybe he can assist all of those helping him in the class to connect with him better. Which can open up the flow of communication. And "train" our family on how to do this better at home once he knows him better.

I think this combination will be the best for now. Dollie continuing the strategy for more independence via a device. Amy, Adria, Jen and Andrea continuing to playfully help him shape his sounds. And Alan setting the tone for all interactions to make the best connection with him. So he feels he's being heard and that what he has to say is important.

This is finally making sense to me. Having to discuss it time and time again and then type it out has helped. Let's see how it works in a practical sense... updates to follow :)