Natasha at Home - A Post-Adoption Journal

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15-June-2001

Natasha has been going to a Russian language class for a couple of weeks. The class is set up for children and she really doesn't like it. However she is showing interest in the Ukrainian language, so I am going to switch her to the Ukrainian class.

She has also started language therapy to help her English. The rule of thumb is that a child is developmentally delayed 1 month for every 3 months in an orphanage. This means that Natasha was legally 3.5 years old but was developmentally around 2.8 years old when I met her back in December 2000. She has made huge steps in her emotional, mental, and physical health during these last 6 months. She is so awesome.

I had her screened for language and hearing. I still have this strong feeling that something is wrong with her hearing. The hearing test came out "neutral"?? I will be getting her hearing tested again within the next 4 weeks. The language screening showed some major issues.

I am not that worried about her language issues. She is a very smart girl and I don't doubt she could figure everything out. However, I saw no reason not to make her life a little easier by paying for the therapy.

Also I had noticed that N is very good at faking comprehension. She was asked a question by the language therapist, "How did you get here?" A good answer would have been, "by car" or "Mama brought me". Instead she launched into her adoption story. She didn't understand the question and guessed. This has caused many strange conversations.

At 6 months, most internationally adopted children have a firm grasp on English and Natasha does understand English. I believe that N has moved most of her vocabulary from Russian/Ukrainian to English. Maybe one of her developmental delays was language.

The last 2 weeks have seen some major changes in Natasha's mental outlook. She is much more confident about tackling new things. I think many items play a role in her confidence.

Natasha had her 4th birthday on May 20. Day School, where Natasha goes, places the children in rooms based on abilities not age. She was originally placed in a class with kids that were younger then her. But based on her emotional control and her physical abilities, she moved "up" to the bigger kid room.

N was quite happy about being moved up. She told me that she is getting "bigger and stronger".

The language therapy has improved her vocabulary and understanding with just a few sessions.

She has recently been able to fasten the seat belt for her booster seat. This has been her goal for months.

She started swimming lessons 2 months ago. Two weeks ago she went to a birthday party and played in a large swimming pool without my help. She still couldn't swim but the water wings let her move around the pool with the other kids. One week ago she took the water wings off in the swimming pool and swam a little distance. She was extremely proud.

And she also launches herself off the diving board, flies for about 3 feet and then does a belly flop. She thinks this diving style is quite fun. Right before she jumps, she points her finger at me and tells me, "Mama no help. I do."

She has also recently moved from saying "I can do" all the time to asking me "why" all the time.

Angie and Natasha



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2001 © Angela W.

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