When Trin was young, she said “Mum Mum”, “baa baa” and “Up”. Around 15 months of age, she stopped. No more words. She didn’t speak again until she was 4 & a half. We started using sign language. Simple things like “more” “all done” “yes” and “no”.
One of the therapies she took was Oral Motor. Definition: Oral-motor exercises are specialized exercises that aim to improve the strength, control, and coordination of the oral muscles (tongue, lips, vocal folds, and the jaw). She would chew & bite on devices and there were sensory things like tiny sponges on a stick that we would dip in juice and rub on the side of her mouth. Honestly, the staff was amazing and the lady developing this 20 years ago was groundbreaking and determined to help.
During these therapies, we realized that Trin was unable to “blow”. She wasn’t able to control the breath escaping her mouth which was probably why she wasn’t talking. (Or we prayed it was that “easy”)
She must have been able to before if she spoke before, right? So much is unknown as to WHY this skill was lost.
We did 20-minute sessions twice a day. Our house was filled with bubbles, horns, and party blowers. We had milk with straws at every meal and would encourage her to try blowing bubbles in her milk. We would play “Happy UnBirthday” weekly to see if she would blow out the candles. This went on for almost 2 years.
Then one day I was in the living room and I hear a squeaking noise. I get up and start looking around the house and I remember stopping in the hallway and thinking “Oh My Goodness… Could it be?!!?” Sure enough, Trinity was sitting in her closet blowing a toy horn!!!
A week later, she called me “Mum Mum”. I never knew if I’d ever hear those words again. 💙💛💚
#ThursdayAutismAwareness
I will be sharing Autism testimony every Thursday.
I have 21 years of experience.
acurbsideprophet 