Say What?

I have spent the past two years working with a student who has special needs. To say that it has been a roller coaster would be an understatement. There have been incredible "highs," and disappointing "lows." While I have witnessed some truly wonderful growth, my work is not yet done. Not by a long shot. I will say that I am NOT necessarily referring to the growth of my student. We both have grown... in ways I questioned being possible in the beginning. I would like to share one area of growth today.

com·mu·ni·ca·tion  (k-myn-kshn)n.

1. The act of communicating; transmission.

2. a. The exchange of thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech, signals, writing, or     behavior.

    b. Interpersonal rapport.

I think it would be easy to conclude that we all take communication for granted. Think back to when your children were just beginning to say their first few words. Thrilling, wasn't it?! Who doesn't marvel at the process of learning how to speak and communicate. But "speaking" is just one form of communicating. Which brings me to the growth my student and I have accomplished... together. 

Could you imagine... just for a moment, not being able to speak? Your thoughts are inside your head... you know exactly what it is you're trying to share. Only problem is, your brain and speech center (and physical ability to form speech) aren't working together. You cannot speak. Ok, no problem.... you can write something down, or make hand gestures. Nope. You are not physically able to do that either. You are essentially trapped inside your head. Do you think you'd find that incredibly frustrating? I know I would. And that, my friends, is exactly what I was walking into when I began working with this particular student. 

Enter modern technology!!

This is the Maestro. This is my student's voice. This little piece of equipment is making communication capable. How cool is that?!!! 

So, in the past two years, this is what has been accomplished. First of all, I am known as the "Sergeant" by those who I have had the privilege of working with. I am determined and driven to give the people I work with the best chance they could possibly have. I have done the exact same thing with this student. I will not back down. I push, push, and then push some more. I do not accept excuses or frustration as a reason to give up. In fact, I tend to push even harder at moments like these. My student is beginning to have amazing results with the new communication device. We are now getting "conversations" lasting for extended periods of time (5 to 10 minutes), with multiple full sentences being generated. This is a HUGE accomplishment. In addition, we're also working on social skills (hello, how are you?, my name is..., excuse me, please, thank you, Miss "so-in-so, etc.), etiquette, and interpersonal relationships. Without the ability to communicate effectively, these skills were lacking. 

Being the meany that I am,

I won't acknowledge my student unless I am identified (Ms. Oxford), and then the conversation is initiated. I no longer respond the the horn on the wheelchair being honked. Not to say that I don't hear that a lot. I do. I just choose to ignore it. Then I sometimes hear a good deal of fussing and even some full out temper tantrums.... but that's ok. I can manage. 

Here are some highlights...

"Pac-Man is awesome."

"Miss Brenda, will you fix the mouse, please?"

"Today is Friday."

"Why do I have to take a shower?"

And... my personal favorite....

"When are you going to leave?"

So... YEPPERS, I'll take this as a success!! Wouldn't you? You have to take the little victories as they come. And they do come. I have many years ahead of me with this student. I can't help my wonder what the next two years... and beyond, will bring. To be continued.....