Stas can hear....just fine! Everything looked great, which totally shocked me!
I really didn't think this was the case. Here is my best guess. When Stas first came home he could not hear, at least not much. I really think that was the case. He loves when we retrieve him from his bed, yet when I would creep up behind him, talking at a normal volume he didn't notice a bit...then I snapped and he turned and was so delighted. After tubes I think he started hearing much better but nothing had any meaning to him. So, as of 6 weeks ago he can hear and now things will start registering. Now that I know he can hear I'm going to be a little "pushier" with him. I will put him in front of the TV with Signing Time, for one...Like, in a highchair so he has no choice but to watch it because it will be right in front of him. And he will watch the same one over and over....good repetition. He seems to be picking up on some things. He is so close to walking which is very fun.
Did I tell you how much I love that sweet, sweet little boy? Oh, he is just precious. I can't get enough of him. And Ricky is starting to like him now too. He thinks it is funny when we teach him sign....he tries teaching him too.
We have an article coming out in our Archdiocesan newspaper, The Catholic Spirit, about Stas' adoption. Eager to see it. Hoping...praying....that many families are touched by our story, other families' stories and seeing all of those precious souls on www.ReecesRainbow.org , and viola! they will begin that blessed journey called "adoption" as well! Praying!
On our way up to the ABR.
Yay, got the IV in on the first try! That is a huge success with those little fluffy, doughy arms.
Playing Patty cake!
Cool Beans! This is called "Auditory training" and yep, it's very important. YOU have to teach him the sounds have meaning. You can do things like, have someone stand in the bathroom and you out in the hallway with Stas. Have the other person flush the toilet, and you get an overly exaggerated surprised look on your face, "What was THAT?" Put your finger to your ear. Exaggerate your listening. Have the other person flush again. Exaggerate your reaction again this time saying, "Lets go see! What was it?" Now flush again so he can see what made the noise.
ReplyDeleteDo the same kinds of things with the phone ringing. First out of sight, with the exaggerated reaction, teaching him to stop and listen to the sound, then go FIND the sound, then THAT is what made the sound.
Now, do this SAME GAME with someone calling his name! Have someone stand in another room and call his name ONCE. Give the exaggerated reacting. What was THAT? Stop and listen. The person calls again. Now go look for the sound "Lets go look!" Now the person calls again with him standing right there. "Oh! Look, it's daddy calling you!"
Is he recognizing his name? If not, I can teach you the "name game" and how to teach him his name very quickly. If he is recognizing his name. Then HOORAY!
(I sure hope I explained that so it made some kind of sense!)
YAY!! So glad everything checked out ok!! Praying that the learning starts and never stops! :)
ReplyDeleteNo Leah. I would say he doesn't know his name.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad everything went well and that Stas can hear!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat news! Guess we both got our hearing news on the same day! Wonderful! Now I'm praying that their language will start to 'catch up' a bit after a 2 1/2yr. delay. One day at a time. :)
ReplyDeleteshoot me an email at deanleah at comcast.net and lets see if we can get together and I'll come show you the name game.
ReplyDeleteDear Gretchen,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that everything went well for Stas. I'm sure I'll be e-mailing you to ask all sorts of questions once we get home with Jenny.
Patty