We use a lot of repetitive language in our family. Sometimes, I feel as if we are on that ever revolving hamster wheel, endlessly repeating the same words or phrase......
We also use a lot of non verbal language. It may be an expressive shrug of the shoulders, the raising of eyebrows or the sign for "I am feeling cross". It might be the twinkle in my eye that tells Nick that I am about to chase him. It could be the way in which he adjusts his body to engage with me. Perhaps it is his teeth tapping together, to ask, "Where is dad?" It is wonderful to be able to communicate in this way, but oh boy do we get some looks when out in public, especially when the same movement/sign is used again and again.
Nick makes the sign for “iPad”
I shake my head “no”
Nick makes the sign for “iPad”
I shake my head for “no”
5 minutes later
Nick makes the sign for “iPad”
I shake my head for “no”
I thought I would share some of our standard family comments, the ones that make us chuckle or say “oh my word, why does he keep doing that?”
“Don't touch your bum and then your lip with your finger, it looks weird!”
(Not so cool when out in public!)
“Yes, you do need to wash your hands!”
(How many times do I have to say this?)
Please stop flapping my underarm.
(I have to chuckle, otherwise I would cry with despair at growing old!)
The meaning of his wave depends on the situation; it could mean hello or goodbye, although at times it can also mean #@#@ off
(This one gives me a good chuckle!)
“I am driving; keep your hands to yourself”
(He will insist on touching my hand, then the gear stick, then my hand... one of these days I am going to follow through with my threat to put him in the back seat!)
“You have already had two biscuits!”
(Typical kid thing pushing his luck)
“Hey Nick, how ya doing, I haven't had a hug all day”
(Thomas)
“Oh boy he has got hold of the TV remote again”
(Shake head)
“Stop stimming on the TV”
(Chuckling at his chuckles)
“Stop pulling on my face”
(Thomas)
“Ahhhhhh, family hug”
(Ahhhh, sweet)
“Psssssssst, Nick.... stop scratching your *_____* in public”
(Puberty is such fun, yeah right!!)
“Stop picking your nails”
(Sigh!)
“Dad is at work”
“Dad is at work”
“Dad is at work”
“Yes, we are going to fetch Thomas from school”
“We are going to ______’s house then school”
“Chill Nick, it is only a fly!”
“The toilet door is ALREADY closed”
(As Nick heads back to check the door for the second time!)
My response to comments made by J. Public.
“Really, honey on his lips will make him talk?”
“You wouldn't be able to do it?”
(What makes you think that I can?)
“Thank you; sometimes I don't know how I do it either!”
“Yes, he continues to make progress”
“He is fine, thank you for asking”
“It's ok, he is just saying hello”
(But then again, he could be saying _____*fill in the blank*)
“Really, I am not special, really....”
“Don't worry, it's ok, you weren't to know that when the trolley went into the back of your foot, that my child has special needs!”
“Nope, he doesn't talk”
(Although I have heard that honey on his lips might to the trick!)
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