Speech Therapy?

It’s no secret my 4 year old son is delayed in his speech. His pronunciation is good – especially when he’s saying something we’d rather he not say. His main issue is in following a conversation. After much drilling, he can finally answer “What’s your name,” “How old are you,” and on 60-40 odds, “How are you?” Most other questions get answered with, “because.”

Now before I give you yesterday’s “breakthrough,” let me give you the back story. My kids are almost 10 and 4. With a 5 1/2 year age difference, of course it’s perceived that the older boy has just the most awesomest toys ever. We’ve had some great weather for playing outside lately, and my older son has been seen by his younger brother playing “Nerf Wars” with friends. The 4yo wants in on that action. Mean Mom refuses to buy said 4yo a Nerf gun of his own, until she got the brilliant idea of the tiny ones at the Target check out – IF he poops on the potty (another delay for him).

Here’s how yesterday afternoon went down:

We were checking out and I was buying one of those teeny Nerf guns to have on hand because I know he will want it as soon as he poops in the potty. Also for incentive since he can see it.

(In the car – thankfully)

A: “I want the gun!”

Me: “Well then poop in the potty.”

A: “I REALLY want that gun!”

Me: “You need to poop in the potty first like a big boy. Only big boys get to play with the Nerf guns.”

A: “THAT’S BULLSHIT!”

So a special needs mother’s dilemma: Do you reprimand for inappropriate things said, or praise for the fact that he responded in the conversation appropriately?

I’ll tell you what I did. I tried not to let him see me laughing my ass off, and told him that was an inappropriate word to say.