Barbara Ankele

A mother relates how the San Diego Childhood Language Center
assisted her five-year-old daughter, Amanda.

Christy Himstreet, M.S., CCC-SLP, Clinic Coordinator, and Amanda Ankele make therapy into fun at the San Diego Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center clinic, a RiteCare facility.

Photos: Amy Gad, M.S., CCC-SLP, Speech Pathologist

For most kids, talking is a natural process. For our Amanda, it wasn’t. As a baby, she never said “da-da” or “ma-ma.” As a toddler, she might say some sound or word, but then it wouldn’t be heard again. She couldn’t repeat anything. When Amanda was two, we were really worried. This is where our journey began to the eventual help of the San Diego Scottish Rite.

We consulted our physician and had Amanda’s hearing tested. It was fine, and there was nothing wrong with the structure or function of any parts of her mouth, tongue, or lips. A variety of specialists could not diagnose what was holding Amanda back from speaking. We taught her some basic sign language, which was a huge help, but she wasn’t talking, and we didn’t know how to help her.

When Amanda was three, most professionals and even a private therapist gave us the impression she was just not smart enough to talk, yet we knew Amanda understood language. At age four, Amanda was placed in a special class in her school district. They did everything they could to help, but it just wasn’t enough. We felt as if everyone had given up on Amanda. Then, halfway through Amanda’s fourth year, her grandfather heard a community-service radio program featuring the San Diego Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center, a RiteCare facility. They help children who have trouble communicating. This center provided individual, intensive therapy, and it was free! We called immediately and were put on a waiting list.

While we waited for the call from the Scottish Rite, Amanda was swiftly approaching five years old. Although, we knew it was really late to expect a child to start talking, we weren’t ready to give up. Then the call came from the clinic, and we traveled over an hour from our home in Murrietta to find a warm, inviting experience. A lobby host greeted us at the door. “Hello,” this volunteer Scottish Rite Mason said to Amanda. Of course, she said nothing, but smiled and continued down the hallway to the main office. Amanda was tested and diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). The clinic provided us with information, time to go over it, and support to understand what this meant for Amanda.

Barbara Ankele, her daughter Amanda, and Christy Himstreet, M.S., CCC-SLP, Clinic Coordinator, at the San Diego Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center

The first time we read about the characteristics of CAS, it was like reading about our Amanda. Finally, thanks to the extra time and investigation by the Scottish Rite clinicians, we had a diagnosis and help! With this base, we began therapy two to three times per week for hour-long sessions with extensive home programming. Amanda began her therapy with simple, non-verbal tasks like blowing feathers and horns, making noise with her voice, and moving her tongue and lips around. To others, her progress was small, but to us, it was the biggest thing in our lives.

By the age of five, Amanda had progressed from noises to actual sounds. “Mommy” and “Daddy” were the sweetest words we had ever heard. Then came more words, two words together, entire simple sentences, and even songs! This past year, we held Amanda back to repeat kindergarten so she could focus on using her new-found speech, and so she has!

Today, Amanda is in the children’s choir at our church, says her Bible verses each week, prays aloud before each meal, and talks on the phone. She says hello and answers questions, though it takes her a while to get the words out. At last December’s Stated Meeting of the San Diego Scottish Rite Bodies, Amanda sang “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” to a crowd of over 150 people! Amanda now chats with the lobby host on her way in and out of the Scottish Rite Clinic. He is one of her favorite people, and she looks forward to their interaction every time we come to therapy.

We are forever indebted to the generosity of the Scottish Rite. As Amanda continues to amaze us, we can’t say enough about the clinic’s successful therapy and supportive, caring environment. Our daughter is a blessing to us, and friends tell us that Amanda’s speaking her first words at five is a miracle. We tell them it wasn’t a miracle. It was the Scottish Rite!

Note: Christy Himstreet, Clinic Coordinator, reports Amanda is just about ready to graduate from the San Diego’s Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center’s program. She will continue to receive speech therapy by her local school district. The San Diego clinicians couldn’t be prouder of any client! Contacts: San Diego Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center, 1895 Camino Del Rio South, San Diego, CA 92108-3683; Tel. 619-291-2506; Fax 619-291-8017; speechfun@aol.com