after school speech part 26

On Thursday, SJ had his normal speech appointment.  On the way there, however, it began to rain.  And by rain, I mean torrentially down pour.  Since it was raining so hard, drivers (including myself) were going WAY below the speed limit.  Of course, I knew this would cause us to be late, but safety is more important than punctuality. 

As I was contemplating our lateness, I had SJ in the back complaining about the rain.  "You've got to be kidding me," he sighed.  "Why is it raining?  I hate the rain," he said.  "It is raining because it is springtime," I told him (although the current temperature makes it feel more like fall).  "I wish it wouldn't rain.  Why do we need rain?" asked SJ.  "Because plants and trees need rain to grow," I explained.  "I didn't bring my raincoat," said SJ.  "Maybe there is an umbrella in the back of the car," I told SJ.  He unbuckled his seatbelt to look, but there was not an umbrella to be found.  "You've got to be kidding me, Mom.  There isn't an umbrella in here," said SJ.  "You'll be fine. I park right in front," I assured him.  "But my clothes will get wet," he whined.  "So, you'll get wet.  You are not made of sugar and you won't melt.  The rain is just water and you will dry," I told him. 

Fortunately, the rain had stopped about a minute before we pull into the lot.  Crisis averted!  Unfortunately, we were 10 minutes late.  Darn rain making me late!  SJ's therapist explained that she had an appointment right after him, so his session would only be 20 minutes.  I said okay and told her I desperately had to run to the store.  My refrigerator had a malfunction through the night and we pretty much lost our entire dairy, meats, mayonnaises and dressings.  She said SJ could just wait in the lobby until I got back.  I said that sounded great.

When I returned 3 minutes after his appointment was to be over (I can be fast in the store when I need to be), she handed me his folder with his work.  She couldn't recap the session due to her next appointment.  It appears that they worked on Identifying Problems and Solutions.  She read him a situation and he had to propose a solution.  She used a visual chart to help him identify the problems.  For example:  You have a broken leg and your school has steps.  What is the problem?  He was to answer that he couldn't climb steps.  What is the solution?  He was to answer to use crutches, use the school ramp or have an adult carry him. 

He had some trouble with this exercise, so we will complete the remainder of situations as homework.  She also worked on Inferences.  He did okay with this exercise, but he had some difficulty with some of the situations.  For example:  Teresa has been practicing the piano a lot.  Her playing has really improved.  What does improved mean?  He was to answer "gotten better".  This is one of the scenarios that he missed.  We will finish the remainder of these situations for homework as well. 

We have a lot of homework this week, but I know these are two areas where SJ struggles.  Hopefully this time next year, this will be a distant memory.  Until then, practice, practice, practice!