Overcoming Challenges And Learning To Read

I have written many times in the past about Mr. J and his speech issues. For those that haven't read them, a quick recap: Mr. J had a severe speech delay (he didn't really start talking at all until 2.5, but his major word explosions were at 3 and 3.5) and he had major issues with motor planning and articulation.



He had a delay in most things language related because of this, which put him way behind his peers for reading.  At the end of SK, he was nowhere near a beginner grade 1 level so we decided to hire a tutor to help (at least to make sure he didn't lose what he had over the summer).

Beth came once a week over last summer, and continued into this year.  He still struggled during first term, but had made so much improvement.  He had issues with self confidence, he was aware that he was behind his friends and that was pretty hard for him to deal with.

Over the last few weeks, he has come SO SO far. He can now read age appropriate books on his own, with very little help from us.  Last week, I put him to bed and went to clean up in the kitchen. When I was coming upstairs just after 9pm, I could hear him talking. I peeked in at him, and he was reading to himself.

       He saw me, and asked me to sit with him so I did - how could I be upset he wasn't sleeping when he was READING! He continued reading the story and finished it with me only helping him sound out a few words.  I pulled him close and had to wipe away tears because he has just come SO far and overcome so much to get to this point!

I am so proud of him and all the work he has put in. It's pretty hard to describe the overwhelming emotions I felt at that moment - but if you have ever watched your child struggle so greatly with a task and then work through everything to complete it - then you know what I was feeling then.