It's been a month now, since Noah started preschool and he is finally adjusting to it. He still acts worried when I drop him off and he says "Momma sit" over and over hoping I will come in his class and sit with him. But he hasn't cried in a bit and now when I pick him up he's happy and excited. You know he's having fun when he has to say "byyyeeee" over and over and even yell it from across the parking lot. His teacher/aids say he's doing much better. He's trying the snacks, playing and participating, and he is NOT falling asleep. Today I was informed that he's yelling outbursts for no reason and throwing things. I was happy to hear it knowing he's finally opening up and being his true self.
His speech is coming along. He hasn't made any huge break throughs but it's a work in progress and he's trying really hard. I feel so blessed that he has such a fabulous therapist who is familiar and knows how to treat Apraxia. The fact that the service is free through the Scottish Rite is even more of a blessing since my paycheck can't seem to keep up with all of expenses these days.
One new therapy we just started is feeding therapy. I've always figured this was in store for Noah since he is by far the worst eater I have ever seen (the kid does NOT eat anything besides cheese). I've kept him on Soy Milk (since milk aggravates his diarrhea) mixed with Carnations since he loves it and it gives him the nutrition he wouldn't be getting otherwise. The only problem with that is that he only drinks it in a bottle. Yes, my 3 1/2 yr old drinks several bottles a day. O-well. It's just not a battle I want to fight right now. I'm more concerned with his nutrition than the bottle dilemma. I've tried refusing the bottles for almost a week before and he still won't eat. Lately, I've been following him around the house feeding him bites of food. Its helping him eat but not really solving the problem. Anyways, now that we have started therapy for it, I hope to see improvement. Instead of a sensory approach like I suspected he would need, we decided to do a behavior approach. It's very similar to what his speech therapist does (which really works) so I figured it was worth a shot.
He still needs some major Occupational Therapy intervention to deal with his sensory issues - I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before but Noah has Sensory Integration Disorder. I've been working with him as much as I know how. Doing lots of jumping, swinging, throwing, etc that seems to help him cope but it's fairly obvious from his behavior and aggression that it's not enough. I'm trying to get him in a program that will be a bit more affordable for us but if this doesn't work out I will be setting up the therapy through the hospital. He will be getting an OT eval and most likely services through the school district and his special education classroom but those services are so limited (and usually a group setting, not one-on-one) that he really needs a more personal program. But since I've spoken with his teacher about these needs, she found him a trampoline to use and allows him to bring a ball to throw which has made all the difference in the world. He started opening up and enjoying school more once he was able to do this.
The final update about Noah is his psychology appointments. He's been through a few hours of evals now and has been accepted into treatment. What type of treatment, I'm not sure about yet. Those decisions will be discussed at the next appointment. After the last eval, his therapist told me that while Noah doesn't fit any one group of issues, he does seem to be in a large classification of the Autistic spectrum. I guess what it's called is PDD - Pervasive Developmental Disorder. It's where you have some characteristics of Autism but not all. (Although, I am anything but an expert in this field) This is kinda tricky. I do not believe he has Autism. And really, neither does his therapist. But since it fits, and we don't really have all the answers just yet, giving him that diagnosis will help him get services and will also give us an idea on what services he needs. I'm hoping that Noah's behavior and aggression are due to his speech issues and his sensory problems. That seems to me to be a bit more plausible (and likely to outgrow) than Autism. Either way, we are figuring out what he needs.
Noah is still the sweetest little man; giving hugs and kisses. He's playing more with his Dad and was very concerned when Shane was out of town visiting his family. Noah couldn't have been happier when his Dad came home. He has also started playing WITH Lilly more. Hearing them giggle and interact does this Momma's heart a lot of good. One things for sure, he may be a handful but I am his biggest fan. Not a moment goes by that I am not full of gratitude for that little booger.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
All Things Noah
With Much Love, Crystal at 8:28 PM
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I <3 Noah. And his mommy.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like he is doing really well, that is so good to hear :)
ReplyDeleteI stumbled here from another blog.
ReplyDeleteWhen I write about my son, I like to sum things up in a similar way. It makes talking about the difficult struggles easier when I include positive highlights.
My son is almost seven, he was diagnosed with PPD, along with a slew of other things. I am often weary of that particular diagnosis because it seems to me that is what they throw out there, when they don't really know what the issue is. (my experience,not suggesting anything else)
I am not sure where you are at but it seems in the Salt Lake area, and you want a solid, good diagnosis I would suggest the Children's Center. Kristina Hindrent or Doug Goldsmith are excellent. Also for treatment I wouldn't settle for just anything. PCIT is remarkable and I have found that it is one of the best out there. (Again, just my experience)
I couldn't tell exactly but hopefully your beautiful boy is getting OT and Speech at school. The district in which he attends should be providing him with those services. My son also gets those therapies outside of school as well. Actually we had a home health team for years that came to the house and then we gradually moved him to a more clinical setting as he got old enough.
The hardest thing for me, coming out of Early Intervention was that i felt like I did not have the family support that I was used too. Early Intervention's job was to teach me, to interact with my child differently (because he has different) After he turned three, I felt like that was all up to me. I didn't have a "coach"
Out of all of the people that have worked with my son, and trust me, we have had literally hundred of therapists from all disciplines, I still think I am he most effective person in his life. I do like getting thee ideas and training from them, but implementing them is a hard task (at least for me)
My son drinks only from a bottle as well. He does not eat much at all. Perhaps two jars of baby food a day. We currently have a "feeding" goal at school that we are working on and he does have two meals presented to him at school. At home we try the same method. He sits in the same chair, we feed him the same things and we use the same techniques and he is making progress,but it is very very slow. Again, it was his team collectivity that came up with that "plan" and then of course we all have to implement it. (Which personally I struggle doing consistently)
It's so complicated and there are so many different avenues and venues in which to take directions down.
Good luck to you in your endeavor.
PS Evidence based research tells us that therapy is best done in a peer type setting. Meaning that if he really needs an OT program, go after it at school. Have his IEP team include time alone with an OT or COTA, and have that team also include you so that you know what they are doing with him at school so you can duplicate it at home.
Again, these are the thoughts and feelings that I have developed over our adventure with my son Ethan-- not trying to tell you what to do, just sharing what I have learned. Hope it comes across that way.
Good luck.
i am so glad to hear that things are going in a positive way. he is such a cutie!
ReplyDeletei have a very picky eater on my hand, too. but, he won't eat cheese :( or any meat. i'm not sure how these kids have so much energy eating so little food!