The conversation is between a teacher and their 18-year-old former student, Emma, who has Apraxia of Speech. Emma's primary diagnosis is Apraxia, a condition where her brain has difficulty connecting thoughts to words. Despite this, Emma understands everything being said to her. The teacher explains that Emma's condition is like a highway system in her brain, where some days the lanes are closed, and information cannot travel.
The conversation is filled with humor and playfulness, showcasing Emma's personality. They reminisce about their time in the classroom, including music Fridays where Emma sang "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley. The teacher notes that music is a cueing mechanism for Emma, helping her remember lyrics and connect with others.
The teacher emphasizes the importance of kindness, acceptance, and understanding when interacting with Emma and others with special needs. Emma's favorite movie is SpongeBob, and she enjoys working at Pet Paradise, where she feeds animals, plays with them, and does chores.
The conversation concludes with the teacher expressing gratitude for Emma's presence in her life and acknowledging that Emma is still a star of their show, SBSK. They reminisce about old videos and emphasize the importance of trying, making mistakes, and never giving up.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Emma has a primary diagnosis of apraxia of speech.
2. Emma's brain can be compared to a highway with limited lanes, making it difficult for her to express her thoughts.
3. Emma's apraxia is not an inability to understand, but rather an inability to retrieve thoughts and connect them to her mouth.
4. Music can be a cueing mechanism for Emma, helping her remember lyrics and other information.
5. Emma can sing and remember songs, even if she hasn't heard them in a while.
6. Emma's favorite song is "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley.
7. Emma's teacher used to get her to laugh in class by doing random things, which helped her pay attention and do her best.
8. Emma works at Pet Paradise, where she feeds animals, plays with them, does dishes, and laundry.
9. Emma's job at Pet Paradise allows her to do tasks that she's not allowed to do at home, such as mopping.
10. Emma's teacher has never forgotten about her and considers her one of her favorite people.
11. Emma is still a star of the show, and her teacher's project (SBSK) wouldn't be what it is today without her.
12. Emma remembers making videos in the classroom and enjoys watching old videos.