I miss Pook's "Mo"

I sit down at the pc with the full intent to blog……….but then get distracted. Someone sent me an email that got me to wondering…..or I read a post on FB….or, like today, I checked out an updated blog. And so on a tangent I go and before I know it, the day is over and I still haven’t blogged. *sigh

I know I keep promising that I’ll be more up to date with my two blogs. My intent to blog is to reach out to others who have to go through the same type of thing, but not getting feedback in the form of comments/followers sometimes makes me wonder if it’s worth it. But, I’m pigheaded and believe that someone needs this blog, so here goes!

I read a blog today about an assistive communication device. Those of you who know Pook may remember his “Mighty Mo”. It was a loan from the North Carolina Assistive Technology Program. At a time when Pook had no words, this box gave him words. This, in addition to the speech therapy he’s received for the last 34 months, helped him to enter the world of the speaking. I had to return “Mo” when the loan was up, and at this time he had some words to help make his wants known. He’s at a point now where, between my daughter and myself, we understand the majority of what he says. He still gets frustrated when he speaks and we don’t “hear” his words, and at these times I think back fondly to “Mo” and wish he were still here.

The blog I read today (Making Weird Cool) talked about Proloquo2go. Basically, it’s a “Mo” for your Iphone or IPad. A small, in style, tech version of “Mo”. As I read about Proloquo2go, I started to think about the limitations that Pook has in his speech. As before, I wonder how much his inability to communicate affects his behavior. Is he so easily frustrated solely because of his communication issues? Is the delays we see in his social skills a direct result of this? If Pook had a “Mo”, would he initiate conversation with others instead of shaking his head and telling me that other people don’t “hear” him?

The “Mo” that we had was heavy….and bulky….and a pain in the butt to charge. Yet, it allowed Pook to share with us so many things he otherwise wouldn’t have been able to. We primarily used it at home, for our personal communication with him due to it’s weight and size. Yet, a pocket size Mo……what could this open for him?

For some odd reason, Mr. Magorium’s Wondrous Emporium just jumped into the forefront of my mind. Why? Maybe because the movie shows that nothing is impossible if only you believe. Do I believe that a piece of technology could open up new doors for my son? Do I believe that enhancing his ability to communicate would help his behavior? It’s not about what I believe. It’s about what he believes………..what he dreams of…………what he desires. And, at 4 years old, my son has told me already that he wants “ebeeboby” to hear him.

So, Pook needs a way to express more then he can. It’s time to find him a new “Mo”.

Pook watched “Mr. Holland’s Opus” with the family the other night. I really didn’t expect him to sit through it. I absolutely did not expect his comments afterward. Pook asked me if I saw all the people that had signs. It never occurred to me that, although he has learned some signs and we use them frequently among us, he’d never seen what signs could do! He didn’t understand the full concept of signs being used to fully communicate when no one else could “hear”. He has since said that he wants everybody to use signs. He then listed off all his friends and family that he wants to hear him. He’s intent on learning more signs now. I tried to tell him that not everyone knows signs, but he is convinced it’ll work for him. As usual, he’s learning signs faster then me.

Pook has come along way. Of the things he says, he’s usually understood. What most people don’t realize is that he doesn’t say things he thinks other people won’t “hear”. His brain tells him that he is saying exactly what he thinks he is trying to say, so in his mind it is still other people who just can’t “hear” him. Even now, I’m a mother who looks at my son and wonders what he won’t say, because he thinks I won’t hear him. *sigh  Yep, it’s time for a new “Mo”.

Dentist and more...

Pook did fabulous with his first dental appointment. When the paperwork was sent, a flyer with a photograph of the dentist came also. This enabled us to show him the picture so that when he arrived he would know one familiar face. 

Upon arriving, we weren't sure how things would go. The dental assistant took his sister in first for x-rays, allowing us to stand in the hall and watch. He then got her settled in and brought Pook to his table to lay on. He used lots of hand gestures while speaking, stayed on Pook's level, made constant eye contact, spoke in a soft and gentle voice, and explained each and every thing he was going to do in a way that Pook understood!! Not only did Pookie get his teeth cleaned, he also got them x-rayed! All with no problems!

The dentist office was small, the open bay area had only three tables. Everyone who worked there spoke in a calm, quiet voice. There was no rapid paced footsteps or anyone rushing. This pediatric dentist knew all the right things to do and made sure everyone did it! 

Finding doctors who understand what your child needs is difficult. It took me an entire morning of making phone calls before I found a dentist I thought would work out. I was frustrated spending hours on the phone for  a dentist, but today showed it was worth it. 

Keep in mind though, despite your best efforts, things don't always work out for the best. Sometimes you can't ask enough questions and end up in a doctor office that screams sensory overload! At those times, it's often easier to just walk away and start over again then force your child to go thru, what for them, is a horrible experience that may stay with them for days. 

How can you help others find doctors that are great for children with special needs? Post reviews! Google the name of your doctor office and then write a review. Tell others how wonderful (or horrible) the doctors office is. Also, don't forget word of mouth. Tell others when you talk to them about the wonderful doctor (or in this case dentist) you've found for your child. Email it to all your friends. You never know when they might run into someone looking for the same doctor you've successfully found. 

You've heard the saying, "It takes a village to raise a child." Look for ways you can be that village!!