Waiting for Speech

It’s Monday again and I have a date with my apraxic daughter to hang out at speech therapy this afternoon.  Yes, there are some days I’d like to call in and say, “Sorry–we can’t make it.  I’ve got sheets to change and kids who want to go to the park.”  But, I know how important frequent and intense therapy is.  And gosh, it does seem to be both–frequent and intense.  I’m not just talking for Kate’s sake, but for mine and little sister Kelly’s, too. 

Every therapist and every clinic has a different approach to how the hour of therapy should be spent–and whether or not parents can sit in, observe, or participate.  Every kid responds differently to having their parent in the room, too.  Mine, for example, turns  everything into a show and wants me to comment on every thing she does.  Sometimes she is less likely to “work.”  So, I wait outside in the waiting room and leave the therapy in the good hands of our SLP. 

With a a good 50 minutes or so, I have some time to do something…uh, productive.  Maybe.  Here are some suggestions on how you might be able to fill that therapy time with a little therapy for yourself or your other children.

• Make a list of all of the things on your mind
• Organize your child’s speech clinic notes/progress/binder
• Pay bills
• Clean out your purse/organize your coupons 
• Draft a letter to your insurance provider about more coverage
• Read a book on speech techniques/apraxia
• Read a “fun” book
• Help your older/younger child with homework
• Walk to a nearby park
• Bring or borrow (from the extensive toy closet at the clinic) a board or card game and play with your other children
• Complete thank you cards
• Address invitations to your child’s BD party
• Run a quick errand (if your clinic allows that–check first and leave a cell #)
• Make a phone call on your cell phone (just don’t do this if the waiting room is packed–your car may be a better place)
• Speaking of cars…if you are alone, sit in yours and take a little snooze (set the timer on your cell phone)
• Make a list of all of the progress your child has made in speech.  Wow–he’s come a long way, right?! 

It does get long and sometimes a little irritating–“Ugh, speech again” I can almost hear you moaning as I type this.  But just keep in mind, you are making an investment in your child’s communicative future.  You are making a difference.  With every best wish, have a Happy Apraxia Monday!