Communication Achievement

09/09/08

 

 Dear Laura,

I want to thank you for all that you have done for our son since he has been working with you at CATS.  As I shared some weeks ago, the single most tangible and impressive example of his progress in pragmatic communication -one of the greatest challenges for kids on the autism spectrum - came when we were out for dinner one Friday evening.  Our son, while very verbal and communicative, often misses the mark when it comes to socially appropriate conversation. Put simply, he is very focused on his own needs and wants, and rarely inquires about anyone else's well-being, desires, etc.  On this evening, however, after working with you on conversation drills for several weeks (months?), when I asked how his dinner tasted, to my great delight and surprise, he responded with the same question!  "It's good mom.  How's your dinner?"  This may have been the first time he ever asked a reciprocal question as such.  Since then, I am noticing a steady increase in the occasions when he uses appropriate reciprocal conversation.  As a pre-pubescent boy, this is such an important skill for him to master.  And as his mother, it thrills me to see him gaining these basic, yet critical communication skills.  Thanks again for all you do! 

Sincerely,

Donna R., Fort Myers