01-12-2012
Today we saw Dr.Dave, Alex’s psychiatrist. Dr. Dave is super fun and friendly, as usual, Alex is so happy to see him and talked to him excitedly about our Mexico trip and his play dates. I was sitting there wondering why such a talkative kid chooses to remain silent at school?
Dr.Dave must read my mind, he kept asking Alex why he doesn’t talk at school, Alex just shrugged without offering a valid answer. Then our most prestigious pediatric psychiatrist in town prescribe this medicine: he pulled out a shiny $20 bill from his wallet, showed it to Alex, and said, “Alex, I am going to clip this $20 to your chart, if you talk this month, the money will be yours when you come back to see me.”
I was so touched, this is first time ever that we get paid instead of paying for doctor’s visitsJ I understand the reason behind Dr.Dave’s approach, Alex is not a self-driven kid, his reaction when facing obstacle has always been avoidance instead of fighting. Make him motivated is the key to conquer this SM issue. Let’s hope money can talk!
2011 has been the year of Alex’s SM solution seeking year, now Alex is having, in addition to other mundane enhancement classes:
- Speech therapy at school 3 times a week
- Psychology counseling once a week
- Psychiatry visits once a month
- Private tutoring 2 hours a week to improve communication skills
- Story telling at school once a week
- Boy Scout twice a month
- DSi as a bribe
- Playdates, playdates, playdates
Behind this action list, there were countless of communications and planning among therapist, school teachers and us to facilitate the progress. I used to worry so much about Alex’s SM issue, now I found myself not that bothered since I know we are trying our best. This journey has been long and no sign of major breakthrough yet, but on the road we have met so many generous folks. There is no doubts that Alex is a lucky boy, I was moved when I see our therapist spending her personal time designing speech bingo game for Alex , when I receive all the emails from his teachers reporting his daily progress, and when I see how kind and supportive his classmates are….
The other day Aunt xmh mentioned that we should journalize how he overcome his SM, this can make a strong case in his future college application essayJ
January 13, 2012 at 6:56 pm
Behind your “layback”, it is a super mom. Admire your strength to keep going. It is like “芝麻开门“, Alex is on the edge of openning his door.