The Gift of Conversation | Episode 4
Episode 4: From Autism Diagnosis to College Freshman
The Gift of Conversation.
Within the Village Engagement Matrix™, children between the ages of 2–4 years old are in the Sprout Stage while parents and caregivers are in the Explorer Phase. During the Explorer Phase, the role of the parent or caregiver is to discover who their child is as an individual by observing their interests, preferences, strengths, sensitivities, communication style, and unique way of engaging with the world.
In Episode 4, we discuss the gift of conversation and what it meant to finally hear my son’s thoughts expressed in his own words.
When my son was young, he was not yet consistently using spoken language.
During that time, I learned who he was through observation. I learned what made him laugh, what frustrated him, what captured his attention, what brought him comfort, and what mattered to him. Before he could consistently tell me who he was, I was learning who he was.
Long before he found his voice, I gave him an identity until he could claim his own.
Today, as an Oak Tree, that identity is no longer carried by me. He carries it himself.
He is a university student, a scholar and an artist who marches in the marching band, a self-advocate, and a young man establishing meaningful relationships while navigating life in college.
He speaks confidently about who he is, what he needs, what he values, and what he wants for his future.
Through the lens of the Village Engagement Matrix™, this episode illustrates the power of the Explorer Phase.
When we take time to truly know the child in front of us, we help create a foundation that allows them to eventually know themselves. ❤️🌰🌱🌿🌳
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