Ava resumed her AVT about 3 or 4 weeks ago. Boy does it feel good to have that therapy back. Ava has been hearing for 4 months now and she is 14 months old. She is now at the stage where she is using jargon and sounds like she has her own language. It can be quite amusing, especially when she is angry. If her older sister takes a toy away from her, she will use this really angry jargon at her sister. I can only imagine what the real interpretation is.
Ava's receptive language has really exploded. She seems to understand everything. She can point to 7 body parts when asked. She can do the actions to 3 different songs on verbal cues alone. She can pick the correct object out of a group of 3 or 4 objects when asked "give me the ______" She turns to her name consistently. She understands (but doesn't obey) "no" (she thinks its a funny game instead). Her favourite thing to do is to go upside down on all fours. Here is a video of her doing it on my verbal cue alone.
She still isn't walking yet. She is so close but really not that interested. She can stand alone and hold her balance really well and cruise all over but she would rather crawl - and she does this at lightening speed! Anyone else out there have late walkers?
We spent a weekend in August at the annual VOICE camp. It was held at Bark Lake in Irondale, Ontario. It was our first time there and my husband Markus was asked to do a concert for the kids. It was the most fantastic time ever. We met so many really wonderful families and it was great to swap stories and tips with other parents of kids with CI's and hearing aids. It was really well organized with activities for the babies and kids of all ages - canoeing, fishing, hiking, high ropes, beach and great food. We are looking forward to coming back year after year. Thank you to Rhonda and Shawna for making us feel so welcome. Here are a few pictures.
I will close with a quote from a VOICE poster. I read it a couple weeks ago and it had quite an effect on me and sums up how right we were in our decision to have Ava implanted.
"I am 5 years old. I like school, especially gym. I talk to my daddy when he calls me from work. I tell my dog Scooter stories. I listen to music. I am deaf, I can speak and I have a voice."
Sounds like Ava is doing wonderfully! Going upside down like that is one of Aiden's favorite things to do too! and he too, is still not walking and he's almost 18 months old! He cruises around like no other and crawls, like you said, at lightening speeds, but doesn't seem to have to confidence to just go. He takes 4 or 5 steps here or there, and boom, down he goes. I think he's always in too much of a hurry. We have to remember too, that they may have balance issues with their hearing loss AND their little brain has been working so hard to learn to listen that walking has taken a back burner for now. They'll get there!
ReplyDeleteI love the quote! It's so true that we're giving our kids a voice!
ReplyDeleteLucas was a late walker! He didn't start until 19 months, and is only now, at 20 months, functionally walking. It was a very frustrating last few months waiting for those first steps.
Sounds like Ava is doing great! I hope the transition into all of your fall activities goes smoothly! Enjoy the last month of swimming!
wow amy! she is doing GREAT! i need to up my game with monrovia! i love how much receptive language she has. keep it up!
ReplyDelete