I have found it very difficult to blog lately. I still love reading everyone else's blogs, but can't seem to find the energy or time to post on my own blog. But here I go.....
So much has happened the past several months with Grace and I have been hesitant to share it with the world. She is doing so great on so many levels, but we still have our worries and struggles.
I mentioned a while back that I asked her OT if she thought Grace was on the autism spectrum. I got an "I don't think so". There were a lot of small things that Grace did that concerned me. Most of those have gone away or gotten so much better. (not answering to her name majority of the time, licking everything, poor eye contact up close at times, etc)
My concerns were going away a little each and every day as her speech picked up and she just seemed more "with it". Then her OT thought we should have her evaluated just in case. It takes 9-12 months to get an appt with the developmental pediatrician at CHOP (Children's Hospital of Phila), so I called Early Intervention in the mean time to get more opinions. Grace was evaluated by 2 specialists from EI and she qualified within 20 minutes for OT and Behavior Therapy for her "It's my way or the highway" attitude. Never knew there was therapy for that! Shhh.... don't tell my hubby!
Since then, through a wonderful woman at the IA clinic at CHOP that we used, Grace got an appt with the Regional Autism Center in July. I pray that this issue gets put to bed and we can stop worrying about it. Grace's pediatrician, new EI OT and Behaviorist all feel like she is ok, but I have heard "possible aspergers" or "maybe PDD". Grace can be very social at times and quite charming. But she can also be very rude and nasty if she is uncomfortable or anxious. If she is pressured to be friendly or interact with a new adult, she may hit or throw toys. She is NOT this way with other children. She will be very loving towards them. She doesn't do this anymore, but a few months ago when we would go out in public, if someone spoke to me, Grace would start hitting me with windmill arms. So frustrating!!! She appeared angry or anxious, I couldn't tell which. Thankfully that hasn't happened in a while.
Right now we are doing OT once a week and behavior therapy once a week. I am at the point where I don't feel like I need an OT because I feel like I can do it on my own now. I know what to do and I do it every day with her. The behavior therapy is not going very far. Grace isn't always difficult, but she likes to do what she wants. We just thought she was strong willed :) The behaviorist better start giving me strategies to do at home or I'm moving on. Our IA doctor has recommended a behaviorist that works with lots of IA kids, but she doesn't take insurance and is 45 minutes away.
Her follow up IA appt went well. She is doing great cognitively, which we already knew :) She is a smarty pants! They agreed that she needs behavior therapy since she is very resistant and it can be difficult to get her to "give in". It's difficult for me to hear that one of my kids needs therapy for bad behavior. I kind of take it personally. Our boys are not perfect, but are really good kids. I know part of that (not all of it) is due to our parenting. We got some things right :) The general feel of the appt was that she is doing great but there are definite social and behavioral issues.
Because I don't just want to post not-so-great stuff, here is a run down of all the amazing things Grace does:
Has FINALLY started calling me "Mommy" in the sweetest voice ever! The transition went from Ma to Mama to Mom to Mommy!
She comes up to all of us and says, "hugga hugga" as she wraps her arms around us. Love it!!!!!!
Loves to wear dresses!
Has started to put words together: "lick Mama sock", "Dada read book". There are slight pauses in between, but it counts in my book.
Is becoming bilingual from watching Dora. She has answered "si" a few times!!! Maybe a little less Dora wouldn't be a bad thing :)
Wakes up in the best mood! Asking for each of us each day!
Will at times walk around and say "happy, happy , happy".
Makes her mama dinosaur and baby dinosaur kiss!
Always points out the daddy and mommy animals. I love that because it shows me she understands about a dad and mom!
Will lay on the floor when she doesn't get her way and say "crying" in sad voice! It's hysterical!!!!
I'll have the to ask Brad and boys for more stuff since I know I'm not remembering it all right now :)
Pictures to come very soon!!!!
7 comments:
You are such a great mommy - Grace is so lucky to be part of your family. It sounds like you are doing all the right things and making LOTS of progress (although some days it may not feel that way). I'm praying the progress continues and you will get some piece of mind at your appt in July.
She's come such a long way in a year!!
You ARE a great mommy. As Wendi said, Grace has made a ton of progress in a year. And she is a beautiful, happy little girl.
I have wondered about Liam being on the autism spectrum...but it turns out, I think, that he just has some sensory stuff going on. The more I look into it, the more I think he might have more sensory stuff going on than Natalia does...and I've not recognized it all of these years (not a good feeling :( ). YOU are being a diligent mommy and making sure Grace gets all of the resources she needs.
Hang in there!
the "si" thing has me cracking up!!! all the things you listed, both not so good and good are normal. we all know she's perfect!! and thank goodness she likes dresses!
Jeanette you are amazing, doing so much for your family. How fortunate to have so much professional help - I am waiting until we are on Kevin's insurance to start OT (hopefully very soon; we have waited too long I'm afraid). Grace is so smart and has come so far in such a short time.
I could not stop laughing at the "lick Mama sock"!!!
Jeanette, you are doing a fab job.....by the sound of things Grace is def making progress. Great news!
Hang in there! I think both of our kids are very, very stubborn. Logan also wants what he wants...and that is mostly food. I'm seeing some of the same things that you stated, and mostly he throws things when tired. I also noted that he is pretty smart and has been able to identify all of the letters (caps and small), numbers, days of the week and likes to spell signs when we are in the car. On the other hand, he's not very athletic yet. I hear it eventually balances out. I am sure everything will turn out well with Grace so sending good thoughts!!
I think you are doing a great job with Grace. She is so stinkin' cute and I know she is very happy to have you as her Mommy.
As far as the Autism spectrum, from what I have seen, read, and heard over the years about Autism and Asperger's, and from what you have written about Grace I would bet that she definitely does NOT have them. I do not blame you for having it checked out though, it will at least clear you mind of it if she really does not have any type of Austism.
I have a friend that her son has Aspergers, and trust me Grace does NOT sound anything like him, and he was diagnosed at 2-3yrs old. He is now a teenager.
Please let us know how her appt goes.
Sheila
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