Sponge
December 30 2009 · 
For those that may not know, Ethan is speech delayed. Nothing has been officially diagnosed, but it’s obvious that he’s behind where verbalization is concerned. A few months back, we tried to get him into speech therapy, but that was a disaster.
Given that the speech therapy was a bust, we’ve been working with him ourselves, talking as much as possible and reading picture books. Clearly, we are not professionals and don’t know what we’re doing as well as one would. Sometimes at all. However, textbook experience only takes you so far.
When it comes down to it, though, I think all he needed was time.
Since earlier this year, his use of words has rocketed. He’s been picking up terms left and right and up and all over. We’re not quite to sentences yet, but he says phrases. A few months back we were straining to decipher 20% of what he said, now we understand more than 85%.
He says thank you and loves to answer the telephone and he’ll tell me when he’s tired or if he wants his teeth brushed. He also knows the names of most animals. Normal, every day kid stuff. Things we’ve been waiting to hear for awhile now. As well, he says “dude!” and “awesome!” and he can count to 10. At this stage he’s like a sponge, repeating back whatever he hears. As such, I also inadvertently taught him his first curse word. That’s right, my boy said bullshit. I am so proud.
