A message I just received from Megan about Liam

Hi everybody, In addition to what we talked about in our meeting yesterday, I have continued emailing Megan about Liam and I just got an email today.

1. I asked her what to do if he pulls us places without talking. Here is Megan's advice in her own words:

"With Liam, remember that when he is pulling you to go places, GO WITH HIM. Let him move and control your body and when it comes to the next step, PAUSE and wait for him to tap into the spontanaity that is so essential for him to practice. If he walks away, guess what? That's ok. That may happen because he may decide that what he wants may not be motivating enough to tap into the word. He will come back around though and do the same thing...each time he walks away this brings him closer to a fuller sentence/words....he will learn that the spontaneous words and sentences are the way to communicate to get exactly what he wants. If we give in quickly he knows to hold out and eventually you will give in....Remember that. Liam is incredibly intelligent and knows how to work it."

2. I asked her what to do if he speaks very softly and we barely know what he says and he is not looking directly at us. Here is Megan's advice in her own words:

"At this point with Liam, if you hear it clearly but it is a whisper and even if he's not looking, at this point celebrate him like crazy! Tell him, "I heard that!! I heard your whisper. That's wonderful!" At the same time you celebrate him, let him know by modeling your loud tone and explaining that he could say it LOUDER!!! "

You know what I just remembered? Do you remember when we were still potty training Duchis and she was having accidents, and Megan told us to think that every accident was getting her closer to be potty trained (instead of getting frustrated with the accidents)? It's the same thing! Those moments when Liam walks away without tapping to his spontaneous language are bringing him closer to speaking more and more spontaneously. Also, we just need to encourage him like crazy. We know he can speak a lot if we prompt, so now, we are just celebrating anything that is SPONTANEOUS, one word, one word with low volume, anything spontaneous he says is good practice for him (you know, practice makes perfect). 
 
Let me know if you have any questions about Megan's advice. Have fun with Liam!