This weekend I had the most momentous day in our life with autism. Farmer C and I were in the car with my mom and I was beside him in the back seat. I play this little game with him (and our dog Rosie) where I touch his cheek or nose and say "beep". He loves it and laughs most of the time when I do it, sometimes he is not in a good mood and will let me know. But today was a good day, he liked it so much that he said it back to me!! I thought did he just do that? So of course I did it again and there it was the cutest little "beep" I have ever heard!
I know to some this would not be a big deal or even on their radar of things to share but for a family of a non verbal child, this is what makes your day, month or year. My son has never consistently said a word, much less repeat it back to you several times in a row. This is one of those days I will always remember because this is a first word. This is a start to talking, communication and what we have been working for.
I had him do it three times in a row for me, then of course I had to try for my mom and grandma. Of course it took my twice with no response when they listened but he did it for them too! They were so happy, it made me realize I am not the only one waiting for a voice, everyone around us are waiting to hear him. I also had him do it for his daddy and pop-pop, it took a few tries but he did it. Then when he went to school I had him say it for his teacher and then after school his ABA.
The most important part of all this is not just that he said a word in the cutest little voice but that he KEEPS doing it! He didn't do it just one time and that was all he has consistently done it for me, not everytime but almost every single time. So while this is small to some, to me and my family it is the biggest moment in a long time and I will say that beep is now my favorite word.
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