max update: what a sweet voice.

Depending on how long you've been following Max's progress, you may or may not be aware that I have a YouTube channel set up where I post videos of Max. This latest video of Max is of him singing in his behaviour therapy session. He is lucky to have a therapist who plays piano so beautifully. He has come so far since he started therapy at 32 months of age. Take a look at this video of him three years ago to see for yourself. That's what early intervention and hard work gets you.

2 year anniversary of max starting to talk.

This post is dedicated to Kim Pace

Two years ago tomorrow, Max started talking. Up until that point, I really wasn't 100% convinced it would happen. I hoped and prayed that I would one day hear my son say "Mama" in his sweet little voice. On August 20, 2009, he did just that. I remember calling Scott on my way home and putting the phone up to Max's face so that Scott could hear him talk. Scott told me later that he sat and cried tears of relief at his computer after hearing Max say "Dada". It was a big day.

So we celebrate. We celebrate this milestone because it is important to remember how far Max has come. It is so important to stay positive and truly rejoice in Max's progress. This video was shot this morning. Max doesn't like having his picture taken so he did his best to avoid looking at the camera. It's still mind blowing though. Max - you are a rock star! Kim, you promised me he would talk, and check out our little guy now!




August 2010: One year anniversary of Max talking
August 2009: Yay!! Max is talking!

The Language of Music.

Today was a good day. It's important to say that out loud and to say thank you when these days come around. Today was a good day. Max had a terrific Occupational Therapy session at Blue Balloon with his therapist Jess, and then followed it up with a Music & Speech Therapy session that made me smile all day. What I love about Blue Balloon is that Max's team takes such joy in his progress, and is fantastic about sharing his wins with eachother, so that they can all continue to build on his new skills. I truly believe that this is why Max is progressing at such a rapid pace. This is why our Max is starting to emerge - we are finally getting to meet our little boy.

Tonight when I checked my email, Max's Music Therapist Rob, had sent the following email to Max's team at Blue Balloon:

Hello Team Max:

I thought I would pass along the positive results of the joint SLP/MT session that Irene and I had with Max today. Every week we are seeing and hearing a greater degree of positive results.

Today we witnessed a sharp increase in Max’s ability to follow directions. For example, when asked to help clean up Max placed all the farm animals back in the basket. Even during new musical experiences such as “Rolling the Ball to a Friend” Max quickly picked up the motor planning involved and was soon independently rolling the ball to Irene and mom! Using the word “push” to cue max during this activity seemed to really help coordinate the physical actions involved.

Max also followed some of the required actions during another new activity “The Scarves” song. These actions included throwing the scarf into the air and scrunching it into a ball. Max also had an opportunity to play the large hand cymbals. After demonstrating the actions needed to play
the instrument, the therapy team pared these actions with the word “push.” Soon Max was almost independently pushing the cymbals together!

In terms of his socialization skills Max continues to make progress. During the Good-bye song he imitated a wave. Max also held sustained eye contact on several occasions during the session.

In terms of his speech and vocabulary Max was heard using many different words today. These included:

Rooster
Farmer
Guitar
Moo
“Hi” with hand wave
Jess
Mama
Irene
Roll
Bye
Yeah, hooray – (said several times)
Hooray we did it – (said several times)
Bye bye

I am personally really pleased that Max is progressing so quickly. We will strive to keep everyone informed as Max continues treatment. I think it would be good if we could all continue to provide updates as they come available to his entire treatment team.

WAY TO GO MAX!

With warm regards,

Robert W. Harris
Music Therapist B.M.T., M.M.T

*****

How can this kid fail with a team like this behind him? Go Team Maxwell indeed!