My sweet, loving, beautiful baby boy was 9 months old when he suddenly and drastically regressed socially. His social regression was immediate and profound, he went from the lovable baby that everyone held and played with to a terrified child who only let mom or dad hold him. It was nearly 2 years before someone else was able to hold him. To touch him meant to hurt him, he would react to a touch as if he was punched.
Next in his regression was his speech. It was profound and noticeable. My once brilliant toddler stopped using words and struggled with speaking. He was 15 months old when he had lost so many words that we were becoming very concerned. He had his first speech evaluation at 15 months old, he was still so advanced for his age (16-18 months), he didn't qualify for any further testing nor did he qualify for services. By 18 months he was nearly nonverbal, I believe he was down to about 5 words. His second speech evaluation he was so delayed (10-12 months) they immediately began services before waiting for an autism diagnosis.
I'm not certain when his sensory issues really kicked in, but the thing we noticed most was his love for all things velcro. It started with his sandals, he'd suck on the soft side of the velcro until the shoes were ruined. His sensory issues soon spilled over into his eating, his diet dwindled down to a few items where it has stayed with very few additions in the last 2 years. I am so proud to say that he ate a pea the other day, he cringed and gagged but my little boy ate it and kept it down. He also ate an oreo dipped in milk, which is amazing because they are so super yummy that way.
Progression. I've got this entire blog, months worth of tidbits and epic moments, but to sum it up? I'm not sure where to start. Socially? I have no concerns, he has progressed so much that I'm certain that he'll do amazing in school interacting with the teacher, other students, and able to participate in class. He has learned quite well how to self regulate, when he's overwhelmed he'll step away until he's ready to join back into an activity.
Sensory? We've seen such huge progress that it really isn't even on our radar anymore. He'll rub stuff on his upper lip and that is the extent of it. Obviously, the eating issues are probably here to stay, but that is so much more socially acceptable than sucking on velcro for the rest of his life.
Speech? It's so hard to gauge. He's made immense progress, he talks in sentences, he'll repeat anything you ask him to, he asks questions, makes requests, uses words much more than grunting or gesturing. He intentionally irritates his sister by repeating everything she says. His enunciation and articulation have definitely improved, but not to an acceptable level yet. I'm anxious for his next speech evaluation so we have a better idea of where he stands.
I feel like speech and some cognitive issues (numbers, letters, colors, shapes, etc) are the only delays at this point.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Monday, December 9, 2013
Lunch at school
Mr N has done so well at preschool lately, that we decide to attempt lunch. The last few weeks he's washed his hands with the other children and tried to join them for lunch. Last week we decided that we'd give it a go for this week. Today I arrived at lunch time so that I could be there to assist. He got in line, washed his hands, found a place next to one of his friends to sit, sat down and promptly pushed the food away. He was so happy to be having lunch with the class, but had no desire to actually eat the food. He lapped some of the milk out of his cup like a kitten, but there was no eating involved.
After talking with the specialist that works with Mr N we decided that next week I'll pack him a lunch to take so that maybe he'll eat along with the other kids. Lesley, the specialist, said that Mr N has two friends that he plays with most of the time, but that he still gets overwhelmed. When he gets overwhelmed he'll step away from the other kiddos and play alone for a few minutes then join back in with them. I'm super impressed that he's figured out how to self regulate, being able to step away, regain control, then join back in is such a vital skill.
As Mr N has progressed leaps and bounds these last few weeks, it's become quite apparent that 1 hour of preschool each week is just not cutting it. It's time to increase his time spent either at the preschool he's been joining or somewhere to get him what he needs to succeed. We discussed this as well, getting Mr N into at least half day of preschool.
The last few times he's had preschool or therapy, the pick up does not go well at all. There is no bribe big enough to get him to leave in a good mood. He starts crying and fighting from the moment I start dragging him to the car until well after we arrive home, the meltdown is of epic proportions.
After talking with the specialist that works with Mr N we decided that next week I'll pack him a lunch to take so that maybe he'll eat along with the other kids. Lesley, the specialist, said that Mr N has two friends that he plays with most of the time, but that he still gets overwhelmed. When he gets overwhelmed he'll step away from the other kiddos and play alone for a few minutes then join back in with them. I'm super impressed that he's figured out how to self regulate, being able to step away, regain control, then join back in is such a vital skill.
As Mr N has progressed leaps and bounds these last few weeks, it's become quite apparent that 1 hour of preschool each week is just not cutting it. It's time to increase his time spent either at the preschool he's been joining or somewhere to get him what he needs to succeed. We discussed this as well, getting Mr N into at least half day of preschool.
The last few times he's had preschool or therapy, the pick up does not go well at all. There is no bribe big enough to get him to leave in a good mood. He starts crying and fighting from the moment I start dragging him to the car until well after we arrive home, the meltdown is of epic proportions.
Monday, November 25, 2013
Happy Day
We've all been sick which resulted in Mr N missing both days of therapy last week. Today was his first day back, he woke up cranky, which is never a good start to the day. First thing I told him was that he had school today and surprisingly that seemed to cheer him up. I reminded him several times throughout the morning that he had school today to which he responded with joy.
When we arrived at the preschool he literally ran to the front door, once we got inside he ran to his teacher and didn't look back. I thought that having missed last week that he would struggle today, but when I returned to pick him up his teacher informed me that Mr N had done amazing today. In the last few months the longest duration that he's participated in story time has been one minute. Today, Mr N was doing something when they started story time, when he saw all of the other kids sit down, he joined them, then accompanied them in all of the movements, as well. Fifteen minutes of continual participation in story time is progress of epic proportions.
I'm astonished by his progress and growth, overjoyed. Once story time ended he got in line with all of the other kiddos to wash his hands before lunch. I simply cannot believe my amazing little boy.
When we arrived at the preschool he literally ran to the front door, once we got inside he ran to his teacher and didn't look back. I thought that having missed last week that he would struggle today, but when I returned to pick him up his teacher informed me that Mr N had done amazing today. In the last few months the longest duration that he's participated in story time has been one minute. Today, Mr N was doing something when they started story time, when he saw all of the other kids sit down, he joined them, then accompanied them in all of the movements, as well. Fifteen minutes of continual participation in story time is progress of epic proportions.
I'm astonished by his progress and growth, overjoyed. Once story time ended he got in line with all of the other kiddos to wash his hands before lunch. I simply cannot believe my amazing little boy.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Frustrations
We've been battling what seems to be a never ending cycle of colds, sinus infections and pink eye resulting in missing school for both kiddos. Not to mention being cooped up in the house for days on end.
The most frustrating part is that Mr N doesn't ever cough up his phlegm so when he goes to sleep at night he starts coughing and coughing and coughing until he pukes. Our solution was to give him Benadryl to help dry up the phlegm to avoid the puking. Initially it worked, we'd fight him to take the medicine and he'd maybe get half of his tiny little dose down, but it still seemed to do the trick. By fight him I mean one of us hold him down and the other hold his head still and squire the medicine in his mouth. Only the last 3 times we've attempted to give him medicine he starts coughing and coughing and coughing until he pukes. So we've gone from trying to help him to forcing him to puke before he goes to bed. I just want my baby to feel better.
Is there really no better means of giving little ones medicine? Meltaways are only for children over the age of 6 and 48 pounds, so tylenol, motrin, ibuprofen are not even considered for Mr N anymore, we just try to keep his fever down and let it run it's course.
I'm exhausted from the sleepless nights and coughing kiddos. I'm really hoping next winter is kinder to us.
The most frustrating part is that Mr N doesn't ever cough up his phlegm so when he goes to sleep at night he starts coughing and coughing and coughing until he pukes. Our solution was to give him Benadryl to help dry up the phlegm to avoid the puking. Initially it worked, we'd fight him to take the medicine and he'd maybe get half of his tiny little dose down, but it still seemed to do the trick. By fight him I mean one of us hold him down and the other hold his head still and squire the medicine in his mouth. Only the last 3 times we've attempted to give him medicine he starts coughing and coughing and coughing until he pukes. So we've gone from trying to help him to forcing him to puke before he goes to bed. I just want my baby to feel better.
Is there really no better means of giving little ones medicine? Meltaways are only for children over the age of 6 and 48 pounds, so tylenol, motrin, ibuprofen are not even considered for Mr N anymore, we just try to keep his fever down and let it run it's course.
I'm exhausted from the sleepless nights and coughing kiddos. I'm really hoping next winter is kinder to us.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Success is ours!
The last few weeks meetings have been rough. We've arrived after the meeting has started but were unable to sit in the auditorium and had to sit in the back room. This does not bode well for Mr N. Today I decided we should try another technique, E and I got to meeting early so we could get seats in the auditorium, then Daddy and Mr N came after meeting started. It was a success, he stayed at the seats until the last 15 minutes. It was such a great day for him!
His behavior was so good during meeting several people commented on it afterwards. I'm not sure why I hadn't thought of taking two cars prior to today.
Last night with the time change we let the kiddos stay up a bit later than usual, but when the time came Mr N did not want to go to bed. After several attempts to get him to lay down, I let him crawl up in my lap, then rocked him to sleep. It was so sweet and wonderful to rock my baby to sleep, I rocked him, held him, and cuddled him even after he fell asleep until I was ready to go to bed. He stayed in his bed most of the night, but crawled into bed with Mommy and Daddy at some point.
I'd mentioned previously that I was planning to make platform beds for the minions, but as weeks turned into months my projects have only increased. As a result, I bought metal bed frames for their beds and will either make or pickup headboards for them at some point.
After months of procrastination I finally finished up the curtains for the master bedroom, as well as painted it and all of the trim. We are just waiting for the curtain rods to arrive so I can hang the curtains. This prompted me to also purchase a bed frame for our bed, which also motivated me to make a headboard. We picked up materials for the headboard yesterday and started it. I hope to finish most of it today, but again we won't be able to put it together until the bed frame arrives later this week. Among other projects, I picked up a couple of retro end tables to redo and use as nightstands. Our current nightstand will move into office to provide a more stable location for the printer while giving us more organization and storage space.
His behavior was so good during meeting several people commented on it afterwards. I'm not sure why I hadn't thought of taking two cars prior to today.
Last night with the time change we let the kiddos stay up a bit later than usual, but when the time came Mr N did not want to go to bed. After several attempts to get him to lay down, I let him crawl up in my lap, then rocked him to sleep. It was so sweet and wonderful to rock my baby to sleep, I rocked him, held him, and cuddled him even after he fell asleep until I was ready to go to bed. He stayed in his bed most of the night, but crawled into bed with Mommy and Daddy at some point.
I'd mentioned previously that I was planning to make platform beds for the minions, but as weeks turned into months my projects have only increased. As a result, I bought metal bed frames for their beds and will either make or pickup headboards for them at some point.
After months of procrastination I finally finished up the curtains for the master bedroom, as well as painted it and all of the trim. We are just waiting for the curtain rods to arrive so I can hang the curtains. This prompted me to also purchase a bed frame for our bed, which also motivated me to make a headboard. We picked up materials for the headboard yesterday and started it. I hope to finish most of it today, but again we won't be able to put it together until the bed frame arrives later this week. Among other projects, I picked up a couple of retro end tables to redo and use as nightstands. Our current nightstand will move into office to provide a more stable location for the printer while giving us more organization and storage space.
Friday, November 1, 2013
Heartache and pain
It's been a while since I've had such an emotionally taxing day, but today pretty much fills my quota for the quarter. I woke up with a stress headache that has only gotten worse as the day has progressed.
The kids well child checks were today, Daddy had an important work meeting so my SIL offered to go with me to help out with the kiddos. We made a plan ahead of time that she would hang in the car or outside with the kiddos until appointment time. When we arrived at the doctor's office I went inside to fill out the necessary paperwork and get the kiddos checked in for their appointments. The staff was very accommodating with my wishes for Mr N. When they were ready for him, I went into the room to discuss all of the history with the nurse then when the doctor was ready to examine Mr N, I went out and got him from my SIL then took him straight to the exam room.
I'd been on pins and needles all day stressing over how he would do, would it be like all of his other appointments in the last few years or would his new found progress carry over to doctors appointments and be smooth? We walked through the front door, Mr N said "hi" to the receptionist, then the nurse greeted us and told us to head on into the exam room I thanked as did Mr N with the sweetest "thank you" that surprised the staff after my very insistent warnings on how poorly the visit would turn out.
We calmly walked into the exam room where I had a few of Mr. N's cars, a teddy bear and his iPad waiting for him. He picked up his toys then looked around and saw the all too familiar exam table which was a dead giveaway that bad things were about to happen. I raced him to the door to shut it while we momentarily waited for the doctor to arrive. Moments later my fear, dread, and anxieties were all realized as the screaming and fighting began. He wouldn't let me hold him, he didn't want to sit down, he just wanted to leave, he wanted to leave fast and NOW. A nurse brought him a sucker but was met with hostility.
The doctor arrived shortly to begin the exam, she inquired as to the best way to proceed, then began her exam as I held a very angry little man down. Holding his arms, leg and head still so she could examine his ears was heart wrenching as he looked at me with so much sadness. Next came the tummy exam which about killed me as he screamed and held both sides of his head in his hands just wanting it all to end. We skipped the weighing and measuring as the chances of it being successful were less than 1%. The doctor mentioned he was obviously a healthy height and weight. With tears streaming down both of our faces we headed outside to switch kids. Leaving Mr N with my SIL while taking E in for her appointment was extremely difficult, I just wanted to cuddle and console my hurting baby. After giving him a few last cuddles I handed him off then headed inside with E.
E's appointment went great, she showed off her hopping, skipping and balancing skills for the nurse. She is finally in the 9th percentile for weight, weighing in at a whopping 35 pounds (only 5 pounds behind her little brother). She happily picked out stickers for herself and her brother, then let the doctor do the exam. E was anxious to head back outside to join her cousins, standing at the door holding the handle for the last 10 minutes while mommy talked with the doctor.
The doctor was great, she offered some more options for more services for Mr N that I intend to look into and take advantage of, as he deserves all of the help he can get.
We took the kids to the park to run off some energy before heading back to my SILs house. The kids played for a while, then as we were heading out to leave I looked down and E was missing a tooth. I asked her where it was and she said "I spit it out", which she did, just like she has been saying she would do since it became loose. Funniest kid ever. I picked her tooth up off the floor, put it in a Baggie then we headed home.
My heart is still filled with sadness for my little boy, seeing the fear and pain in his eyes while I held him down makes me hurt. Being a parent is so hard, doing things that you know need to be done even though they cause pain. As I sit here thinking about my boy with a headache and much heartache, I can't even imagine how much more painful today was for him. If only I could take that pain for him, I would gladly do so in a heartbeat.
The kids well child checks were today, Daddy had an important work meeting so my SIL offered to go with me to help out with the kiddos. We made a plan ahead of time that she would hang in the car or outside with the kiddos until appointment time. When we arrived at the doctor's office I went inside to fill out the necessary paperwork and get the kiddos checked in for their appointments. The staff was very accommodating with my wishes for Mr N. When they were ready for him, I went into the room to discuss all of the history with the nurse then when the doctor was ready to examine Mr N, I went out and got him from my SIL then took him straight to the exam room.
I'd been on pins and needles all day stressing over how he would do, would it be like all of his other appointments in the last few years or would his new found progress carry over to doctors appointments and be smooth? We walked through the front door, Mr N said "hi" to the receptionist, then the nurse greeted us and told us to head on into the exam room I thanked as did Mr N with the sweetest "thank you" that surprised the staff after my very insistent warnings on how poorly the visit would turn out.
We calmly walked into the exam room where I had a few of Mr. N's cars, a teddy bear and his iPad waiting for him. He picked up his toys then looked around and saw the all too familiar exam table which was a dead giveaway that bad things were about to happen. I raced him to the door to shut it while we momentarily waited for the doctor to arrive. Moments later my fear, dread, and anxieties were all realized as the screaming and fighting began. He wouldn't let me hold him, he didn't want to sit down, he just wanted to leave, he wanted to leave fast and NOW. A nurse brought him a sucker but was met with hostility.
The doctor arrived shortly to begin the exam, she inquired as to the best way to proceed, then began her exam as I held a very angry little man down. Holding his arms, leg and head still so she could examine his ears was heart wrenching as he looked at me with so much sadness. Next came the tummy exam which about killed me as he screamed and held both sides of his head in his hands just wanting it all to end. We skipped the weighing and measuring as the chances of it being successful were less than 1%. The doctor mentioned he was obviously a healthy height and weight. With tears streaming down both of our faces we headed outside to switch kids. Leaving Mr N with my SIL while taking E in for her appointment was extremely difficult, I just wanted to cuddle and console my hurting baby. After giving him a few last cuddles I handed him off then headed inside with E.
E's appointment went great, she showed off her hopping, skipping and balancing skills for the nurse. She is finally in the 9th percentile for weight, weighing in at a whopping 35 pounds (only 5 pounds behind her little brother). She happily picked out stickers for herself and her brother, then let the doctor do the exam. E was anxious to head back outside to join her cousins, standing at the door holding the handle for the last 10 minutes while mommy talked with the doctor.
The doctor was great, she offered some more options for more services for Mr N that I intend to look into and take advantage of, as he deserves all of the help he can get.
We took the kids to the park to run off some energy before heading back to my SILs house. The kids played for a while, then as we were heading out to leave I looked down and E was missing a tooth. I asked her where it was and she said "I spit it out", which she did, just like she has been saying she would do since it became loose. Funniest kid ever. I picked her tooth up off the floor, put it in a Baggie then we headed home.
My heart is still filled with sadness for my little boy, seeing the fear and pain in his eyes while I held him down makes me hurt. Being a parent is so hard, doing things that you know need to be done even though they cause pain. As I sit here thinking about my boy with a headache and much heartache, I can't even imagine how much more painful today was for him. If only I could take that pain for him, I would gladly do so in a heartbeat.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Story Time
I've been trying to figure out a few more activities throughout the week for Mr N that will help him adapt socially. Yesterday I took E to the library to check out some chapter books and while we were there I found out they have story time on Thursdays. So I'm going to add that to our weekly schedule and see how Mr N does. He does good with story time at therapy when they do puppets and interact with the kiddos, which they do at story time at the library. So I'm super excited to see how he does. I'm planning on starting the week after Halloween since the next two weeks are Halloween stories.
While my goal at the library was to introduce E to chapter books, we failed miserably. Miss E thinks that books needs colored pictures, finding books with pencil sketches wasn't good enough. While I understand it must be frustrating to still be intrigued by colored pictures, her reading level is to where she needs to be in chapter books. So we left with one chapter book that I'll read to her, an advanced book that she can read and two easy readers that she wanted to read to Mr N.
Mr N has began saying "yes sir" the last few days, pretty much anytime he's willing to comply with what he's instructed. I've been trying to correct him when he's speaking to me, so he'll say "yes ma'am" to me and "yes sir" to Daddy. We will get there, it took a bit for E to figure it out, too.
While my goal at the library was to introduce E to chapter books, we failed miserably. Miss E thinks that books needs colored pictures, finding books with pencil sketches wasn't good enough. While I understand it must be frustrating to still be intrigued by colored pictures, her reading level is to where she needs to be in chapter books. So we left with one chapter book that I'll read to her, an advanced book that she can read and two easy readers that she wanted to read to Mr N.
Mr N has began saying "yes sir" the last few days, pretty much anytime he's willing to comply with what he's instructed. I've been trying to correct him when he's speaking to me, so he'll say "yes ma'am" to me and "yes sir" to Daddy. We will get there, it took a bit for E to figure it out, too.
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