Raised $6120
Communication is the art of becoming known. I don’t know if it’s truly possible to express in words what it’s like not to be able to communicate. Your personality appears to vanish into a heavy fog and all of your emotions and desires are constricted, stifled and muted within you. ….It’s a very dark place to find yourself because in a sense, you have vanished.”
Martin Pistorius who lost his ability to communicate at age 13
I have kept notebooks that record the earliest phrases spoken by each of my children. I’m amazed how much of the person they became (are becoming) was contained in those early phases. Even with their simple vocabulary and primitive form of communication my little ones successfully conveyed insight into the person that I know them to be today.
You are doing a good job Mommy.”
Anna at age 3
It is through communication that your child becomes known to you. The early months with a newborn can be difficult. Your only desire, to attend to their needs, is met with frustration as you struggle to decipher the minute differences in their one means of correspondence “Waaaahhhh”. Tired? Hungry? Wet? Bored of the mobile? The child only starts to ‘come to life’ when they begin to interact with you. First, it’s eye contact, a faint smile, brief giggle or a pointing finger. Then the initial precious words are uttered “Tree” “Shoe” “No”. Eventually, these words are combined into simple phrases “I do it” “Fraid Mommy” “What you said?”. These various forms of ‘conversation’ all give you the first coveted glimpse into the inner world of your child.
Due to articulation disorders, delayed auditory processing, and social language deficiency many children struggle with these first few steps of communication. This is frustrating and scary not only for the parent but for the child themselves.
Karen Todd has been a speech therapist for over 25 years and completely understands the importance of communication. She is the Executive Director and Founder of Children’s Advisory Network and specializes in children with learning and language disorders, auditory processing, sensory-motor issues, and autism. She doesn’t just work with kids who are slurring their R’s but children who are unable to communicate clearly and therefore fully participate in the world around them. Children’s Advisory Network not only helps a child communicate their wants and needs; they help a child become known.
CollectivePower is proud to support Karen and the Children’s Advisory Network at the 2015 Wine and Cheese Tasting.