Transformative Lessons from Nature in Speech Therapy
One warm Saturday afternoon, as I walked out of my office building, I noticed a large black and yellow butterfly fluttering in the air. Excitement welled up inside me. Some might wonder why a grown man would get so excited about seeing a butterfly. For me, it was a cherished reminder of my youth, growing up in the Bahamas and Miami, where butterflies were everywhere, their vibrant colors a constant source of fascination.
I remember trying to sneak up on them as they perched delicately on flowers, hoping to catch one with my fingers. Just when I thought I was close enough, they would fly away, eluding my grasp. Growing up in the big city, we didn’t have nets like the ones on TV to chase them around. Despite this, my fascination never waned.
Years later, in college, I would sit in front of a building where butterflies often appeared. Occasionally, I managed to catch and hold them briefly before releasing them, watching them soar away. Visiting a butterfly farm in Costa Rica was a dream come true. Being surrounded by butterflies, feeling them land on me, was a magical experience.
As time passed, I noticed that days, months, and even years would go by without seeing a single butterfly. Despite living in a southern city with remnants of natural habitats, butterfly sightings became rare. Each time I do see one, I can’t help but feel it came by just to visit me. It’s a poignant reminder of their dwindling population, which should be a real concern for what is happening to our environment, but that’s another conversation.
Butterflies, with their captivating life cycle, symbolize transformation and growth. Their journey resonates deeply with the work I do as a communication disorder specialist. I see a correlation between the transformation of a butterfly and the progress of the children I serve. These children often start off like helpless, lonely caterpillars, navigating through various obstacles to find a safe place to develop. In therapy, they find that safety, a cocoon that nurtures their growth.Before long, they undergo a remarkable transformation. Their newly developed communication skills become their wings, enabling them to fly as high and as far as they can or choose to go. The sight of a butterfly reminds me of these children and their incredible journeys.
In the end, both butterflies and the children I work with embody the essence of transformation. Each butterfly encounter highlights the resilience and potential for change, emphasizing the importance of fostering development in all its forms. This is what the Speech Language Communication Studio is all about. It entails creating a space where children confront challenges and emerge with the skills they need to thrive. Just as a butterfly frees itself and takes flight, it is our expectation that our children will do the same, soaring to new heights with confidence and capability.
