*Sigh*

When my daughter, Rhylie, was about 6 months old, I began to wonder about her speech. She was always a silent baby … had nursing issues … and it just worried me, a gut feeling I suppose. She never really spoke, aside from saying “mama”, yet her comprehension was way up there. Tired of hearing the same “all kids are different” rant, I went with my gut, and at around 14-months, I had asked her doctor for a referral to see a speech pathologist. She said it was age appropriate, but I demanded. She agreed, and off we went to Central Valley Children’s Hospital. We had trial therapy sessions for 6 weeks, and they were worried too … she should have been saying more than what she  was … which was mom and ball, minus the ending consonants. She was referred to UCP in Hanford, an organization that provides services for children with special needs. When they saw her tests, she was denied, tossed aside as an articulation case. I fought, tooth and nail, and told them my daughter didn’t speak … she signs, but won’t speak, and it was more than articulation, and definitely not age appropriate. Shortly before she was 18 months, I managed to get an evaluation. Turns out, mommy knows best … we began speech and classroom therapy immediately.

I am happy to say that my daughter has thrived there. I can’t explain how it felt the first time she told me, “I love you mommy” AND I could understand each word … it was incredible. <3 

My husband and I are blessed, and thankful to all of her teachers and therapists for what they have done for our little girl.