At four years, my son could not speak.Â
I wanted so much to have son-to-dad talks with him, gossip about women and even share a few dad jokes here and there.
While all his agemates were speaking in long sentences, he was yet to say ‘mum’ or ‘dad’. He was not responding to his name. My wife and I were confused. Frustrated and isolated. We did not want to go to any gathering where we would be asked why he was yet to speak.
Most people blamed us. Yet, we were doing everything to have him speak.
This was at the height of Covid 19. I could not locate a speech therapist or pediatrician to diagnose him.
We were also holed up in our home and so, he could not play out with other kids.
When the Covid 19 lockdown regulations were lessened, we visited a pediatrician who said that he had virtual autism. She recommended we take him to preschool.
We did that. Gradually, we watched as the boy developed one word after the other. We were elated when he one day led a prayer before meals. It was incoherent and we could not get most of the words, but he was making progress, right?
We watched him slowly catch up with his peers: learn how to use a potty, play with other kids and make a few friends, report how his sister beat him and even dress himself up for school..Â
Recently, at 7 years, he went out on his first errand to a local shop. I was really anxious about this. But elated when he was able to communicate with the shopkeeper and buy some tea leaves.
Everytime, I ponder about his progress, all I can say is that #lifeisgood.