Bedtime is chat time.

I spent an hour on the phone this week to our RDI consultant, lamenting our lack of progress in conversation and scripting obstacles. She had two practical suggestions.

1. Get a notebook for Bright Eyes to write or draw his scripts into. Whenever he comes out with something, say, "You can write that one in your book," or something to that effect. I've started and have actually written three scripts in and gotten him to draw pictures to accompany them. Is it possible that I've also noticed a slight reduction in his obsessive chat? Maybe...

2. Spend 'saying goodnight' snuggle time actually talking. This is the quiet, uninterrupted time when he can focus on what we're saying and feel secure and unthreatened while we talk. He loves to cuddle, so that should help him feel better and less anxious while he's learning to think. It also means he can't physically walk away as he does other times. Is it also possible that I have noticed a slight improvement in our conversation connections during these times? Maybe...

This is why I still NEED to have an RDI consultant to work with, even after four years of doing this therapy. I get stuck in my own ruts and I need the encouragement to see past them and try new things.