Dream a Little Dream

I have always been a dreamer. In reality, I am pretty logical and I definitely don't have my head in the clouds, but in sleep, I dream. My dreams are always vivid and extremely detailed. I have had people ask, " How you remember all of that?" Look, I don't know. I'm sure someone could analyze me and tell me something. This clarity also applies to my nightmares. I can still remember nightmares from years and years ago. It's strange, but it's me.

Let me backtrack just a tad. Asher is considered to be nonverbal. He doesn't speak. He never started talking. Many Autistic kids spoke and reverted back to not speaking. That's a big clue for parents. Asher babbled, but there were not real words. Today, he squeals and squeaks out all kinds of sounds. Some are the beginning sounds for words. Some of them are repetitive. Meaning, there are certain "phrases" he says often. I learned a new term yesterday. *PREVERBAL* This is when a few words are spoken and those words are retained by the child. Asher doesn't say words consistently enough to be considered PREVERBAL yet.

Asher says a few words and even has a go-to multiple word (dare I say) sentence. He is hardheaded. He will randomly say these things, and rarely say them on command.
Right now he will say:

•wow
•yeah
•good
•I did!
•I did it!

Early on in this process, we had been attending therapy for a few weeks. In his deep little voice he said "Momma." He went on to say it several times throughout the day. I cried and celebrated. I got cupcakes and took them to his therapists. It was a great day. This is when I learned a hard lesson. I learned that he might say a word for a day or two and then not say it again. He hasn't said my name since that day. His therapists say that we know the words are in there; we just have to get them out. In the past, he has said:

•go
•no
•more
•Dada❤
•Jack❤

Ok, back to the dream. I have had a reoccurring dream that Asher talks. In the dream, I don't make a big deal about him talking; it is just a fact. After waking up, I have even started my day thinking he could talk only to be disappointed. I used to cry. I would call Randy and be so upset. I quit calling him because I think it upset him too. Anyway, this morning I started my day with a dream. Reality has set in that it was ONLY a dream. It's going to be real one day. I have confidence in this kid. He's going to make my dreams come true.

     I know he's dreaming too. I can't wait to            hear all about it💙