Today our journey is taking a different path. Not better, not worse, just different. It’s like driving down a familiar road and finding that the way you expected to go isn't there anymore and you’re being led on a scenic detour instead. You’ll get there, eventually, just not perhaps the way you imagined. And you’ll be seeing different things along the way. Perhaps you will even slow down and take time to admire and appreciate the view.
At two and a half, our twins are clearly behind when it comes to talking. We've finally stopped taking the “wait and see” approach, and have had some evaluations performed based on advice from our pediatrician. They’re both way behind in terms of communication, like perhaps where a typical 18-month old might be. It was not unexpected, by any means. The five to ten words the boys once said sporadically have been completely gone for quite some time. They didn't suddenly stop; they just gradually faded, as though speaking wasn't worth the effort. They started pushing and pulling and pointing to get their wants and needs taken care of. Sawyer is now the master of taking my hand and pulling me to whatever it is he thinks he wants or needs – refrigerator equals drink, kitchen counter equals fruit snacks, garage door equals Mommy’s truck, entertainment closet equals movie, coat closet equals shoes and going outside, and . . . well, you get the idea.
And really, if truth be told, we follow such a familiar routine at our house, there isn't much they actually have to ask for. Wake up. Mommy gets you changed and dressed and on your way downstairs. Downstairs, Mommy will get you your milk cup and dry cereal and turn on PBS while she gets breakfast together. And there aren't many choices either – you get to eat what Mommy serves. Next it’s lunch, where milk and plates are set in front of you again. Then it’s nap time (or, sadly, it used to be). Then you get an afternoon snack of more milk and some Goldfish crackers. Then it’s dinner, then baths, then bed. Are we seeing the pattern here? Because there definitely is one – it is what has saved Mommy’s sanity these last few years at home with three little boys. But I digress . . .
So, the evaluations were done and a few therapies were recommended. The boys are going to have speech therapy once a week and developmental therapy (mostly working on social skills, some independence skills, and support of the communication skills that will be worked on in speech therapy). Sounds fun, right? We’re not terribly concerned, really, but we felt it was time to try out a little extra help. Connor was a late talker, but he had words at this point. He identified things, even if he didn't put two words together until well after his third birthday. And the twins just seem to have no interest in even trying to speak, which is probably the most frustrating and the most troubling.
Perhaps we’re not doing the best job as parents – doing rather than teaching with three toddlers because that’s easier, perhaps they’re just late bloomers, or perhaps they are simply a product of their isolated environment – we’re not sure. The twins certainly have not had the one-on-one attention that even Connor did, as three toddlers makes everything more like a routine than a learning experience. And then there's the environmental factor, the fact that they've only truly been around each other most of their lives and not much in the way of interacting with other little kids. In any event, we decided to see what options were out there and give them a try.
We’re in week two now, so the journey is really just beginning. Already though, I’m beginning to hear more sounds – not words, but sounds – from Xander. The cutest, by far, is when he says “Ssh!” with his little impish grin. He really is trying to make more sounds, copying what you say and even getting a few things out that almost sound like words from time to time. And Sawyer, though I've yet to notice a difference in his speech (still just random baby talk), I have noticed an improvement in his temper and his social skills. He’s not getting quite as upset and frustrated as he used to when things are not doing exactly what he wants (like the blocks yesterday, for instance). And, even more surprising, he’s the one most willing to let the therapists play with him. Xander is still a bit standoffish, but Sawyer is all for someone who wants to help him line up his toys and stack his blocks (so long as they, too, do it the “right” way). It’s clearly a work in progress.
We also have put all three boys on the waiting list of a well-respected preschool in our area. It's only part time, a few hours a few days a week, but we think it would be good for all of them. Connor would absolutely love it, being around other little kids and getting out of the house a little more - as long as he wasn't too bossy to make friends! And all three would benefit from a little more interaction with the world (if we could prevent the meltdown that would surely occur when Mommy leaves the two little guys the first few times).
So that's where we are right now. Hopefully, the speech will come, perhaps later than normal, but just as it did with Connor. The twins might just need a little extra help in getting there. I’m told some of it could even be a "twin" thing – that often they are late talkers and it will come in time. Here’s hoping, because it would be nice to get input from the little guys. You know, like at meal time instead of guessing what they will eat and what they will hurl across the table (before that actually happens, preferably).
