wanted to share this with you all. It gives me hope for my grandson, and makes me sad for Abbie.
Long post, so dip out now if not interested, but I need to get it off my chest.
I have four grandkids, but this is about two of them.
"A' is 4.
"L" is 2 as of last week.
L belongs to one daughter, A to my other daughter- both boys. They are very close cousins. Yesterday evening all of my grands came for (yes! lol) ice cream and a swim because it was the last time I can see them for just over 3 weeks. Starting today I am back in a Covid "bubble" and will have a rapid test before surgery. I have to stay in my bubble 2 weeks post-op, because getting Covid with a large neck incision and brace (coughing! cant move neck) would be very bad. ( Although L and daughter live with me now- long story, but I put L on my insurance to make sure he has the best care I can give him)
You may remember we were having L evaluated in July. He is non-verbal, and indeed on the spectrum. He started Early Intervention four weeks ago. He goes 2 hrs a day, 3 times a week. He loves it. He gets so excited when we drop him off, and the things hes learned already have blown my mind. Just a small example but a big deal: L never properly played with toys. He loved cars and trucks, but all he did was line them up by size. Or color. Or pick them up and spin the wheels. Now, he crashes them around, and makes "vroom" sounds LOL. He's also learned to point to himself and then the object or person he wants. Huge!! So proud of him!!
Anyway, I have a small mini fridge in my garage near the pool with popsicles and drinks for the kiddos. Nope- nothing as swanky as Asa's, lol, just my sons old dorm fridge inside my garage, but I digress... I saw L telling A, in his limited way, that he wanted a drink. I was going call A over to explain what L meant, when I saw A nod yes, and off they went into the garage. A minute later they came out with juice boxes. L is a bit picky. He only drinks apple juice. No colored drinks at all. Sure enough, he had apple juice and A had punch.
I called A over, and asked him- how did you know that L was thirsty and what he wanted to drink?
A, who just turned 4 mind you, said: Huh? ( lol)
Me- he cant talk, A, but you knew what he was saying. How?
A- shrugged me off and said: He talks a lot. Dont you hear him?
Guys- make fun of me, whatever, lol, but I started to cry right there. A four yr old has been communicating with L on his level without issue or effort, and when I think back, he always has. L always gravitated to A. Now I know why. A was "listening" to him. We've spent so long worrying about actual speech, we havent really listened to him. Its like- crushed my heart, and I've thought of nothing since. Of course our goal is for him to begin speaking. But if not, I will make sure that he and everyone around him learns how to "speak" and "hear" him and learn and every damn sign or modified sign we can. Point is, Abbie is 16. Not 2. How can they not give a tit about her communication?! My Gbaby is only TWO and I am crushed to think we havent always "heard" him. I mean crushed. And the Massives, well they just dont care. Its weighed heavily on me all morning.
My heart is broke for her.
Thats all. Just wanted to share. It really is different watching these assholes when someone you love is on the spectrum. I dont know how some of you have done it for so long. They make me sick.
Now back to snark!
Long post, so dip out now if not interested, but I need to get it off my chest.
I have four grandkids, but this is about two of them.
"A' is 4.
"L" is 2 as of last week.
L belongs to one daughter, A to my other daughter- both boys. They are very close cousins. Yesterday evening all of my grands came for (yes! lol) ice cream and a swim because it was the last time I can see them for just over 3 weeks. Starting today I am back in a Covid "bubble" and will have a rapid test before surgery. I have to stay in my bubble 2 weeks post-op, because getting Covid with a large neck incision and brace (coughing! cant move neck) would be very bad. ( Although L and daughter live with me now- long story, but I put L on my insurance to make sure he has the best care I can give him)
You may remember we were having L evaluated in July. He is non-verbal, and indeed on the spectrum. He started Early Intervention four weeks ago. He goes 2 hrs a day, 3 times a week. He loves it. He gets so excited when we drop him off, and the things hes learned already have blown my mind. Just a small example but a big deal: L never properly played with toys. He loved cars and trucks, but all he did was line them up by size. Or color. Or pick them up and spin the wheels. Now, he crashes them around, and makes "vroom" sounds LOL. He's also learned to point to himself and then the object or person he wants. Huge!! So proud of him!!
Anyway, I have a small mini fridge in my garage near the pool with popsicles and drinks for the kiddos. Nope- nothing as swanky as Asa's, lol, just my sons old dorm fridge inside my garage, but I digress... I saw L telling A, in his limited way, that he wanted a drink. I was going call A over to explain what L meant, when I saw A nod yes, and off they went into the garage. A minute later they came out with juice boxes. L is a bit picky. He only drinks apple juice. No colored drinks at all. Sure enough, he had apple juice and A had punch.
I called A over, and asked him- how did you know that L was thirsty and what he wanted to drink?
A, who just turned 4 mind you, said: Huh? ( lol)
Me- he cant talk, A, but you knew what he was saying. How?
A- shrugged me off and said: He talks a lot. Dont you hear him?
Guys- make fun of me, whatever, lol, but I started to cry right there. A four yr old has been communicating with L on his level without issue or effort, and when I think back, he always has. L always gravitated to A. Now I know why. A was "listening" to him. We've spent so long worrying about actual speech, we havent really listened to him. Its like- crushed my heart, and I've thought of nothing since. Of course our goal is for him to begin speaking. But if not, I will make sure that he and everyone around him learns how to "speak" and "hear" him and learn and every damn sign or modified sign we can. Point is, Abbie is 16. Not 2. How can they not give a tit about her communication?! My Gbaby is only TWO and I am crushed to think we havent always "heard" him. I mean crushed. And the Massives, well they just dont care. Its weighed heavily on me all morning.
My heart is broke for her.
Thats all. Just wanted to share. It really is different watching these assholes when someone you love is on the spectrum. I dont know how some of you have done it for so long. They make me sick.
Now back to snark!
Wishing you all the best these upcoming weeks. I am sure this sweet experience will help you through. “ Out of the mouths of babes “. 
