Mason had his first speech therapy session today!! We went in, and he met Rachal, the therapist, she gave him some pictures to look at. He labelled them, and talked about them while she jotted some things down. Then her and I sat for a good 1/2 hr and talked about my concerns and some of the things that she had noticed.
She says his articulation is good. It's right about where it should be for a 3y/o, so that's great to hear. His misuse of pronouns is still normal at this age, and that we should start saying things to him like he should say it. For example, instead of saying "You did it! Good Job!" Say "I did it! Good job!" And he will start to pick that up. The main concern is the echolalia, of course. I talked to her, about how he has a hard time sitting down and playing on his own. If I sit down and play w/him, then he can play and interact normally w/me, and will even continue to play after I leave. But, if I say to him "Go play trains for awhile." He won't, and doesn't really seem to know how. Apparently, this is called ideation (sp). Or I should say that ideation is the ability to be able to sit down and play all on his own w/o any help. She said she could see him trying to do that, but he really doesn't know how. What we're going to have to do, is to set a base for him. Essentially get him started, give him choices, and let him go from there. Once he gets a better handle on that, she thinks the echolalia will start to taper off. Kate had made a comment to me last week at social skills therapy, that he would bring her stuff and ask her what they are. These are things he Knows, so it seems that he does that to initiate an interaction. So because of that, his speech therapy (really, language therapy) will be based on social situations. She will be trying to get him to back and forth with her, and then at the end, talk about what they did that day. It will be very play based. She didn't want to say just yet, how delayed he is. After she's had a few more sessions w/him, she said she will have a better understanding of where he is.
I guess that's it! I think it went pretty well, and of course it's good to hear positive things!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Have I really not updated this in 2 weeks? Wow. The summer is just flying by. We have been so busy! Just got back from camping again this weekend.
Anyway, Mason update.
I've seen some pretty big things lately. Last week, he got on the swing for the first time since he was a baby! He cried, but he didn't fight me getting on it, and I got him smiling a little by tickling him. He wasn't a fan, and he hasn't done it since, but it's a step! All this time, I just thought him not like the swing was a "phase." I didn't realize it was a sensory thing. Anyway, we'll keep trying it.
We went and had a picnic, and then played at the park last monday. There was a little boy, I'd guess 2-1/2ish, who kept following him around. He wasn't about playing w/him at first, but after awhile, he kept looking for him and asking about him. He wanted the little boy to follow him down the slide, but didn't really want to talk to him. It's a start, at least. He did get freaked out when the little boy started waving his arms around. He kept saying "Don't hit me! Don't hit me!" I think this is part of his problem w/other kids his age. They are small, loud, in your face and have unpredictable movements.
The biggest news, is that Friday at therapy, Kate told me he was actively interacting with the other kids!!! This is awesome!!! She also said Hayley (who is participating in the class as a 'peer model') is a little over-protective of him. She watches the other kids around him, and will go sit next to him if he's alone. It's pretty cute, but something we need to watch. We don't want her taking over, or talking for him, which she definately does at home.
We've been working hard on conversation with him, and it's getting better. You still have to repeat the question to him a couple times, but he can usually answer, if only minimally. Still waiting for speech therapy to start. It should be any time now.
I guess that's it. Still trying to stay hopeful that an autism diagnosis is NOT in our future. I'm just so on the fence about it, it really could go either way.
Anyway, Mason update.
I've seen some pretty big things lately. Last week, he got on the swing for the first time since he was a baby! He cried, but he didn't fight me getting on it, and I got him smiling a little by tickling him. He wasn't a fan, and he hasn't done it since, but it's a step! All this time, I just thought him not like the swing was a "phase." I didn't realize it was a sensory thing. Anyway, we'll keep trying it.
We went and had a picnic, and then played at the park last monday. There was a little boy, I'd guess 2-1/2ish, who kept following him around. He wasn't about playing w/him at first, but after awhile, he kept looking for him and asking about him. He wanted the little boy to follow him down the slide, but didn't really want to talk to him. It's a start, at least. He did get freaked out when the little boy started waving his arms around. He kept saying "Don't hit me! Don't hit me!" I think this is part of his problem w/other kids his age. They are small, loud, in your face and have unpredictable movements.
The biggest news, is that Friday at therapy, Kate told me he was actively interacting with the other kids!!! This is awesome!!! She also said Hayley (who is participating in the class as a 'peer model') is a little over-protective of him. She watches the other kids around him, and will go sit next to him if he's alone. It's pretty cute, but something we need to watch. We don't want her taking over, or talking for him, which she definately does at home.
We've been working hard on conversation with him, and it's getting better. You still have to repeat the question to him a couple times, but he can usually answer, if only minimally. Still waiting for speech therapy to start. It should be any time now.
I guess that's it. Still trying to stay hopeful that an autism diagnosis is NOT in our future. I'm just so on the fence about it, it really could go either way.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Therapy day 3
I'm late getting this out! We've just been so busy lately.
I actually didn't go to this therapy appointment. Jerime was off, and wanted to take him, so he went, with Hayley and I stayed home with a napping Payton. Afterwards, the kids had dentists appointments, so they left a few minutes early. He's doing well. Wanting to go, asking for the kids in his class, and even asking to go to therapy (or Feraphi) as he says it. Hayley is participating with the group. They like to have 'typical' peer models. As long as she interacts well, and its not hindering him, she will continue to go and participate. We went to the park, hm, 3 times this week, and the first time, he was excited to see kids, although he didn't really play with them, the 2nd time, he completely segregated himself, and the 3rd time, he spent time with some big boys (9 or 10ish) and he picked up "Come here woman!" from them. Nice. So he's saying that to me everytime I turn around. He wanted nothing to do with the kids at my niece's grad party on Sunday. My niece eventually got him out playing a little, but for the most part, he wanted to sit in the house and watch TV. I couldn't get him out there, at all. If Jerime had been there, and if I could have handed off Payton to him, it might have helped. Baby steps, I guess. There where a lot of people there, and he didn't know most of them.
One thing I've learned through spending time with the parents at therapy, is we all blame ourselves. We wonder what we've done to cause this to happen. You would think, with all of the crap you have to deal with while having a special needs to child, that we would at least be able to escape the parental guilt. Really, I'm just trying not to screw these kids up. He's only 3 and there's already a problem. I wonder when the "why him?" stops. Why my child? Why my only son? He deserves so much better. I absolutely hate this. hm. I better stop and go to bed before I turn this into a pity party. Hopefully things are looking better in the morning.
I actually didn't go to this therapy appointment. Jerime was off, and wanted to take him, so he went, with Hayley and I stayed home with a napping Payton. Afterwards, the kids had dentists appointments, so they left a few minutes early. He's doing well. Wanting to go, asking for the kids in his class, and even asking to go to therapy (or Feraphi) as he says it. Hayley is participating with the group. They like to have 'typical' peer models. As long as she interacts well, and its not hindering him, she will continue to go and participate. We went to the park, hm, 3 times this week, and the first time, he was excited to see kids, although he didn't really play with them, the 2nd time, he completely segregated himself, and the 3rd time, he spent time with some big boys (9 or 10ish) and he picked up "Come here woman!" from them. Nice. So he's saying that to me everytime I turn around. He wanted nothing to do with the kids at my niece's grad party on Sunday. My niece eventually got him out playing a little, but for the most part, he wanted to sit in the house and watch TV. I couldn't get him out there, at all. If Jerime had been there, and if I could have handed off Payton to him, it might have helped. Baby steps, I guess. There where a lot of people there, and he didn't know most of them.
One thing I've learned through spending time with the parents at therapy, is we all blame ourselves. We wonder what we've done to cause this to happen. You would think, with all of the crap you have to deal with while having a special needs to child, that we would at least be able to escape the parental guilt. Really, I'm just trying not to screw these kids up. He's only 3 and there's already a problem. I wonder when the "why him?" stops. Why my child? Why my only son? He deserves so much better. I absolutely hate this. hm. I better stop and go to bed before I turn this into a pity party. Hopefully things are looking better in the morning.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Therapy....Day 2
So before I talk about today's therapy session, I have to give an update about our Michigan trip. I've been so busy this week, I just didn't have time to do it.
Mason, for the first time, EVER, last weekend, initiated and engaged in play w/kids other then his sisters!!! He actually participated in playing w/Connor and Madison, and would even ask them to play. Usually, he will completely segregate himself from the other kids, and IF he's playing in the vicinity of them, it's never w/them. It would just be parallel play. But last weekend he played w/kids his age, that where not his siblings. This is HUGE. Really, just an amazing thing for me to watch. He was funny, because he would call them both "ConnorandMadison", LOL, like they where one person. We didn't bring his DHA up to the lake w/us, and by Saturday night/Sunday morning, that was obvious. I am amazed at the difference it makes in him, especially as far as his focus is concerned.
On to today's therapy session....He was excited and happy to go, and as soon as he saw 2 of the girls in his class, he ran up to them and followed them to play!! So wonderful!! He interacted w/them, also, for the few minutes until therapy began. Lara said he did great today, that he was a lot chattier, and was really into participating w/the class. He did get hung up on a toy shark for awhile ( he LOVES sea creatures), and she mentioned that he really seems to need to have something in his hands all the time. I never really thought about that, but he does constantly have a toy in his hand. I never associated it w/a stimulatory behavior, but now that I think about it, it might be. Or it might be a comfort thing too. He doesn't have to have a certain toy, just something there to be touching (and often mouthing), so it's probably sensory (that makes sense as I write it). He was doing a lot of hand flapping while we where there, and since that's something he only does when he's excited/happy, I at least know that he's really enjoying himself, even though it bothers me a bit that he does it. There are train tracks very near the center, and when a train went by, he was torn between hand flapping his excitement, and covering his ear to block out the stimulation. It was simultaneously funny and disturbing at the same time.
I *should* probably be really happy about today's session, but I'm feeling a little down about it. He did well, and that makes me happy, but it also brought to light another sensory thing he has going on. I'm also worried about how this weekend will go. He remembers the fireworks from last year, when he was terrified of them. He told us they "scare my ears", so I'm not sure how that will go. One of the mom's I was talking to at therapy recommended getting ear phones for him, to block out some of noise, and then he may be able to enjoy the fireworks. I think we will try that (not that I mind if he wants to go in the house, since fireworks scare the crap out of me).
We're also marching in the parade tonight, and I'm on the fence as to whether he's going to love the firetrucks and stuff, or hate it because of the noise and activity. It might actually end up like the train at the center today. It bothers me so much that he might miss out on things because of this. It upsets me that he can't enjoy the things that other kids do. I'm definately having a bit of a my-kid-is-different pity party today.
I guess that's it. Everyone have a wonderful and SAFE (did I mention fireworks scare the hell out of me) weekend!
Mason, for the first time, EVER, last weekend, initiated and engaged in play w/kids other then his sisters!!! He actually participated in playing w/Connor and Madison, and would even ask them to play. Usually, he will completely segregate himself from the other kids, and IF he's playing in the vicinity of them, it's never w/them. It would just be parallel play. But last weekend he played w/kids his age, that where not his siblings. This is HUGE. Really, just an amazing thing for me to watch. He was funny, because he would call them both "ConnorandMadison", LOL, like they where one person. We didn't bring his DHA up to the lake w/us, and by Saturday night/Sunday morning, that was obvious. I am amazed at the difference it makes in him, especially as far as his focus is concerned.
On to today's therapy session....He was excited and happy to go, and as soon as he saw 2 of the girls in his class, he ran up to them and followed them to play!! So wonderful!! He interacted w/them, also, for the few minutes until therapy began. Lara said he did great today, that he was a lot chattier, and was really into participating w/the class. He did get hung up on a toy shark for awhile ( he LOVES sea creatures), and she mentioned that he really seems to need to have something in his hands all the time. I never really thought about that, but he does constantly have a toy in his hand. I never associated it w/a stimulatory behavior, but now that I think about it, it might be. Or it might be a comfort thing too. He doesn't have to have a certain toy, just something there to be touching (and often mouthing), so it's probably sensory (that makes sense as I write it). He was doing a lot of hand flapping while we where there, and since that's something he only does when he's excited/happy, I at least know that he's really enjoying himself, even though it bothers me a bit that he does it. There are train tracks very near the center, and when a train went by, he was torn between hand flapping his excitement, and covering his ear to block out the stimulation. It was simultaneously funny and disturbing at the same time.
I *should* probably be really happy about today's session, but I'm feeling a little down about it. He did well, and that makes me happy, but it also brought to light another sensory thing he has going on. I'm also worried about how this weekend will go. He remembers the fireworks from last year, when he was terrified of them. He told us they "scare my ears", so I'm not sure how that will go. One of the mom's I was talking to at therapy recommended getting ear phones for him, to block out some of noise, and then he may be able to enjoy the fireworks. I think we will try that (not that I mind if he wants to go in the house, since fireworks scare the crap out of me).
We're also marching in the parade tonight, and I'm on the fence as to whether he's going to love the firetrucks and stuff, or hate it because of the noise and activity. It might actually end up like the train at the center today. It bothers me so much that he might miss out on things because of this. It upsets me that he can't enjoy the things that other kids do. I'm definately having a bit of a my-kid-is-different pity party today.
I guess that's it. Everyone have a wonderful and SAFE (did I mention fireworks scare the hell out of me) weekend!
Friday, June 26, 2009
First Day of Therapy!!!
This has to be quick, because we are leaving for Michigan in a couple hours, and I have tons of packing to do still!
Mason had his first day of Social Skills Therapy today!!! I was SO nervous about it. And also a little skeptical. The analysist called on Monday, to tell me to bring him in his bathing suit and sunblock, because if it was nice they where going to go out in the sprinkler. And all I could think was "I'm paying you $40/hr to teach my kid to run through a sprinkler?!" Anywho...
We got there, and I sat down to fill out paperwork, when the Lara (behavior analyst) came up to get the kids. He didn't want to go w/her at first, but then she said they where going outside, and he was all over it!
Lara said he did really well. He needed to pushed a little to interact w/the other kids, but he did do it. He talked to her, and Kate (assistant) and even told them when he had to go potty (huge relief for me, I wasn't sure if he would be telling the teachers at pre school or not). She said he got a little quiet towards the end, and if they had let him, he would've just done his own thing, and not played w/the kids (but that doesn't surprise me). When it was over, he said good-bye to the kids, and Lara and Kate and told me he had fun. They will continue to work on communication, but they said he listened and followed directions well. They had to hold hands w/a buddy, when they walked from one activity to another, and he did that too! I'm really proud of him, and he says he had fun.
It was nice to sit w/other parents who are going down this road. No one asked me why he covered his ears when they turned the sprinkler on, and like 2 other kids did it. I also realized how lucky we are, because a couple of those kids are having a lot bigger issues then Mason is. It's just good to be around other people who "get it." Everyone (family and friends) has been wonderful and supportive, but it's not the same as talking to people who are living it.
Well, we are off for a weekend of boating, fishing, and swimming! (and wine drinking after the kids go to bed) It should be tons of fun!
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Mason had his first day of Social Skills Therapy today!!! I was SO nervous about it. And also a little skeptical. The analysist called on Monday, to tell me to bring him in his bathing suit and sunblock, because if it was nice they where going to go out in the sprinkler. And all I could think was "I'm paying you $40/hr to teach my kid to run through a sprinkler?!" Anywho...
We got there, and I sat down to fill out paperwork, when the Lara (behavior analyst) came up to get the kids. He didn't want to go w/her at first, but then she said they where going outside, and he was all over it!
Lara said he did really well. He needed to pushed a little to interact w/the other kids, but he did do it. He talked to her, and Kate (assistant) and even told them when he had to go potty (huge relief for me, I wasn't sure if he would be telling the teachers at pre school or not). She said he got a little quiet towards the end, and if they had let him, he would've just done his own thing, and not played w/the kids (but that doesn't surprise me). When it was over, he said good-bye to the kids, and Lara and Kate and told me he had fun. They will continue to work on communication, but they said he listened and followed directions well. They had to hold hands w/a buddy, when they walked from one activity to another, and he did that too! I'm really proud of him, and he says he had fun.
It was nice to sit w/other parents who are going down this road. No one asked me why he covered his ears when they turned the sprinkler on, and like 2 other kids did it. I also realized how lucky we are, because a couple of those kids are having a lot bigger issues then Mason is. It's just good to be around other people who "get it." Everyone (family and friends) has been wonderful and supportive, but it's not the same as talking to people who are living it.
Well, we are off for a weekend of boating, fishing, and swimming! (and wine drinking after the kids go to bed) It should be tons of fun!
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Friday, June 19, 2009
T - 7 Days
Until Mason starts group therapy! I'm feeling very optimistic about it. I really feel he's going to do well. Hopefully that's not a naive opinion. We are leaving that afternoon for Michigan, so I'll try and do a quick update before we go. If it goes really bad, Kris and Mich can watch my kids and I'll just get really drunk Friday night at the cottage, LOL (like how I put that on you guys??)
Anyway, he's doing well, I'm going to start talking to him about therapy. Not sure how you explain it to a 3y/o, but I guess I'll tell him he's going to play, and to learn how to play w/other kids. I don't think he'll like it much at first. It's certainly going to force him to step out of his confort zone. I'll be there, at the center, but if he's clinging to me, they have a place I can sit and watch w/o him seeing me. This past weekend, he was playing on the back deck, and Jerime was painting the side door of the garage and Mason asked him "Daddy! What are you doing?!" I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, but the fact that he's expressing intrest in what someone else is doing, is huge!! Autistic children are often only intrested in what they are doing, and what they like, etc, so this is a good sign. Plus his speech and sentance structure was correct. He screws up pronouns ALOT. It's getting better, because we are constantly correcting him, and forcing him to say it the right way every. single. time. He says "Can you sit on my lap, mommy?" When he wants to sit on my lap. I'll say "Can I?" and he'll say "Sure!" and then climb up. He just doesn't get it yet. In fact, I've noticed alot, recently, that he really has a hard time correctly answering questions. He might say yes, when he means no, or just say something completely unrelated to what you ask him. That is NOT a good sign. Hopefully these issues will resolve w/ttherapy, though.
On a good note, the therapy center called, and they have an opening for speech! He'll start in the middle of July. I didn't think we would be able to get in for months, since there were 25 kids ahead of him on the waiting list. They'll evaluate him then, and determine what he needs. He definately has a language delay. Fortunately, the bloodsucking insurance company WILL pay for his speech. The pediatrician will write an apraxia of speech DX so they have to pay for it. I'm fairly certain he doesn't have apraxia, this is just a way of ensuring the insurance will pay for it.
I think that's it! I'll definately try and update before we leave for MI next weekend!
Anyway, he's doing well, I'm going to start talking to him about therapy. Not sure how you explain it to a 3y/o, but I guess I'll tell him he's going to play, and to learn how to play w/other kids. I don't think he'll like it much at first. It's certainly going to force him to step out of his confort zone. I'll be there, at the center, but if he's clinging to me, they have a place I can sit and watch w/o him seeing me. This past weekend, he was playing on the back deck, and Jerime was painting the side door of the garage and Mason asked him "Daddy! What are you doing?!" I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, but the fact that he's expressing intrest in what someone else is doing, is huge!! Autistic children are often only intrested in what they are doing, and what they like, etc, so this is a good sign. Plus his speech and sentance structure was correct. He screws up pronouns ALOT. It's getting better, because we are constantly correcting him, and forcing him to say it the right way every. single. time. He says "Can you sit on my lap, mommy?" When he wants to sit on my lap. I'll say "Can I?" and he'll say "Sure!" and then climb up. He just doesn't get it yet. In fact, I've noticed alot, recently, that he really has a hard time correctly answering questions. He might say yes, when he means no, or just say something completely unrelated to what you ask him. That is NOT a good sign. Hopefully these issues will resolve w/ttherapy, though.
On a good note, the therapy center called, and they have an opening for speech! He'll start in the middle of July. I didn't think we would be able to get in for months, since there were 25 kids ahead of him on the waiting list. They'll evaluate him then, and determine what he needs. He definately has a language delay. Fortunately, the bloodsucking insurance company WILL pay for his speech. The pediatrician will write an apraxia of speech DX so they have to pay for it. I'm fairly certain he doesn't have apraxia, this is just a way of ensuring the insurance will pay for it.
I think that's it! I'll definately try and update before we leave for MI next weekend!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Randomness
Mason is going to DNS for sure, YAY! I talked to Donna on Saturday, and he's definately going to go there 2 mornings a week, and then to Westlake, however many days they deem is necessary. Such a small victory! It felt like such a big thing, though. Just the thought of him not going to the nursery school I always thought he'd go to, made the whole thing that much more real. We are so lucky to have found DNS. It's such a wonderful school. Hayley has certainly thrived there the last 2 years. I'm so glad Mason will get to have that experience too.
On Sunday we went to a birthday party. There were a zillion kids there (it was at a park), and it made me sad to watch him. He obviously Wanted to join the other kids, but just didn't know how. I could see on his face that he knew he was missing out on some of the fun, he just didn't know what to do about it. I don't want him to miss out. :( He deserves so much better then that. He had fun, reguardless. Mostly playing on his own, and then one of the older kids (she's 7) took him under her wing for awhile, and he sort of played w/her for a bit. It just doesn't make sense to me. He can ask any one of us to play w/him. But you put him out of the family, and he just doesn't know what to do.
Later, after he ate, he was done w/the kids. He wouldn't even go to the playground anymore. He wanted to run around and chase the birds, lol. But he would not go play even near the kids at that point. He can only tolerate so much, and then he's done. At that point, if you even mention playing w/the kids he'll have a meltdown. He was pretty exhausted by then.
Today, I told him to finish his milk, and he told me "Hey! You go over there and read that book!" So I couldn't see him NOT drink his milk, LOL. The attitude is starting already! Hayley better outgrow it before he's fully in it, or I may throttle them both!
I've been reading a book about sensory processing disorders, and some of it is really hitting home for him. The fact that he hates swinging, the trampoline, and it took him until he was 3 to learn to jump are all big symptoms of sensory issues. Something about not having his feet firmly on the ground really freaks him out. That's probably why he can't pedal his trike yet, too. He wants too, but he is really having a hard time coordinating those muscle movements. It makes me so sad to see him missing out on things. He wants to ride his bike up and down the driveway w/his sister. He wants to join the kids, and do the things they are doing. He just can't seem to do it. I think we will be looking at some physical therapy, come fall.
I got something in the mail from UIC today. Nothing really helpful, though. When I did the intake call w/them, they asked for permission to enter him (us, the girls) in certain studies if he qualifies. One is a genetic study, and one is a sibling study. I said, yes, of course, so hopefully they can find a cause/cure so no one else has to go through this. So the paperwork I got (a dictionary, to be filled out in triplicate) is for those studies. Funny....it's been over a week, and I've gotten no word as to whether or not they will even see him there, but they were awfully quick to send out the paperwork to help them out. I'm not filling it out until I know he'll be evaluated by them.
So, basically, we're just waiting now. Waiting for Group Therapy to start this month. Waiting to hear from the ever-elusive UIC, and waiting for school to start this fall. I am not patient. At all. Waiting sucks!
On Sunday we went to a birthday party. There were a zillion kids there (it was at a park), and it made me sad to watch him. He obviously Wanted to join the other kids, but just didn't know how. I could see on his face that he knew he was missing out on some of the fun, he just didn't know what to do about it. I don't want him to miss out. :( He deserves so much better then that. He had fun, reguardless. Mostly playing on his own, and then one of the older kids (she's 7) took him under her wing for awhile, and he sort of played w/her for a bit. It just doesn't make sense to me. He can ask any one of us to play w/him. But you put him out of the family, and he just doesn't know what to do.
Later, after he ate, he was done w/the kids. He wouldn't even go to the playground anymore. He wanted to run around and chase the birds, lol. But he would not go play even near the kids at that point. He can only tolerate so much, and then he's done. At that point, if you even mention playing w/the kids he'll have a meltdown. He was pretty exhausted by then.
Today, I told him to finish his milk, and he told me "Hey! You go over there and read that book!" So I couldn't see him NOT drink his milk, LOL. The attitude is starting already! Hayley better outgrow it before he's fully in it, or I may throttle them both!
I've been reading a book about sensory processing disorders, and some of it is really hitting home for him. The fact that he hates swinging, the trampoline, and it took him until he was 3 to learn to jump are all big symptoms of sensory issues. Something about not having his feet firmly on the ground really freaks him out. That's probably why he can't pedal his trike yet, too. He wants too, but he is really having a hard time coordinating those muscle movements. It makes me so sad to see him missing out on things. He wants to ride his bike up and down the driveway w/his sister. He wants to join the kids, and do the things they are doing. He just can't seem to do it. I think we will be looking at some physical therapy, come fall.
I got something in the mail from UIC today. Nothing really helpful, though. When I did the intake call w/them, they asked for permission to enter him (us, the girls) in certain studies if he qualifies. One is a genetic study, and one is a sibling study. I said, yes, of course, so hopefully they can find a cause/cure so no one else has to go through this. So the paperwork I got (a dictionary, to be filled out in triplicate) is for those studies. Funny....it's been over a week, and I've gotten no word as to whether or not they will even see him there, but they were awfully quick to send out the paperwork to help them out. I'm not filling it out until I know he'll be evaluated by them.
So, basically, we're just waiting now. Waiting for Group Therapy to start this month. Waiting to hear from the ever-elusive UIC, and waiting for school to start this fall. I am not patient. At all. Waiting sucks!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Pre-School Update!
I could not have hoped for this to go any better! In fact, i didn't dare hope that what did happen, could have happened.
We went in, talked to the psychologist, and she sat and played w/him for about 30-45 minutes. When they where done, we talked about the things that concerned me (not necessarily things he did while he played) and the things that she saw. Her main concern, was the echolalia. You can't really have a conversation w/Mason. He'll ask/answer questions, but that's about it. If you try to engage him conversation, he will mostly just repeat back to you what you said to him (echolalia). This is very normal and common in very young kids, as they learn to talk, but at 3.5, he shouldn't be doing it (or doing it as much as he does....it wasn't clear to me.) He played normally w/all the toys and was happy to show off his knowledge of colors and the various other objects there :). He was very cute w/her. She made a comment about him not having good eye contact. I didn't even know that was an isssue, as he makes good eye contact w/us all the time. The longer we where there, the better his contact w/her got, so apparently, it's something he does w/people he doesn't know well, or is uncomfortable w/. I was totally shocked to hear that. It's something I'm going to have to keep an eye on when we are out.
She is, at this point, recommending for him to go to Westlake (sp. ed. pre-school) in the fall. We won't get an "official" recommendation until she observes him in the class for a couple days, but that won't happen until the fall. She did say, that if we wanted, to keep him enrolled at DNS (typical pre-school he's registered at) and let him go to Westlake also. The thought behind that is, that at DNS he'll be surrounded by 'typical' peers. Having peer role models is the best way to learn to interact w/other kids (fortunatelly, since they are only a year apart, Hayley is considered a peer too). He won't need to be at Westlake 5 days a week (probably 2 days), so he can spend 2 days at DNS, and 2 days at Westlake getting the therapy that he needs. I need to call Donna from DNS to run this by her, but it's probably what we will do. We will also keep him in the Group Behavior Therapy at Wee Care that starts this month. It can do nothing but help him.
I saved the best news for last......She doesn't think he's PDD!!! She can't say for sure, but at this point, she believes he just has some developmental delays, and w/therapy, he will do awesome! She thinks if he does get a PDD DX, that it will be mild, and he will be very high functioning. He definately has some autistic characteristics, but it may not be enough for a DX. And, w/therapy, hopefully most of these things will resolve themselves. I don't see how they can resolve the sensory issues, so he may just end up being a bit quirky about certain things. I wish I'd had the presence of mind to ask about that at the time. I was just so happy and shocked to hear she didn't think he's PDD! I was so relieved, I just sat there and cried! I never thought I would be so happy to hear my kid is developmentally delayed.
Hmmmm.....I think that's it.
If there's more, I'll come back and update later.
Peace out, ya'll.
We went in, talked to the psychologist, and she sat and played w/him for about 30-45 minutes. When they where done, we talked about the things that concerned me (not necessarily things he did while he played) and the things that she saw. Her main concern, was the echolalia. You can't really have a conversation w/Mason. He'll ask/answer questions, but that's about it. If you try to engage him conversation, he will mostly just repeat back to you what you said to him (echolalia). This is very normal and common in very young kids, as they learn to talk, but at 3.5, he shouldn't be doing it (or doing it as much as he does....it wasn't clear to me.) He played normally w/all the toys and was happy to show off his knowledge of colors and the various other objects there :). He was very cute w/her. She made a comment about him not having good eye contact. I didn't even know that was an isssue, as he makes good eye contact w/us all the time. The longer we where there, the better his contact w/her got, so apparently, it's something he does w/people he doesn't know well, or is uncomfortable w/. I was totally shocked to hear that. It's something I'm going to have to keep an eye on when we are out.
She is, at this point, recommending for him to go to Westlake (sp. ed. pre-school) in the fall. We won't get an "official" recommendation until she observes him in the class for a couple days, but that won't happen until the fall. She did say, that if we wanted, to keep him enrolled at DNS (typical pre-school he's registered at) and let him go to Westlake also. The thought behind that is, that at DNS he'll be surrounded by 'typical' peers. Having peer role models is the best way to learn to interact w/other kids (fortunatelly, since they are only a year apart, Hayley is considered a peer too). He won't need to be at Westlake 5 days a week (probably 2 days), so he can spend 2 days at DNS, and 2 days at Westlake getting the therapy that he needs. I need to call Donna from DNS to run this by her, but it's probably what we will do. We will also keep him in the Group Behavior Therapy at Wee Care that starts this month. It can do nothing but help him.
I saved the best news for last......She doesn't think he's PDD!!! She can't say for sure, but at this point, she believes he just has some developmental delays, and w/therapy, he will do awesome! She thinks if he does get a PDD DX, that it will be mild, and he will be very high functioning. He definately has some autistic characteristics, but it may not be enough for a DX. And, w/therapy, hopefully most of these things will resolve themselves. I don't see how they can resolve the sensory issues, so he may just end up being a bit quirky about certain things. I wish I'd had the presence of mind to ask about that at the time. I was just so happy and shocked to hear she didn't think he's PDD! I was so relieved, I just sat there and cried! I never thought I would be so happy to hear my kid is developmentally delayed.
Hmmmm.....I think that's it.
If there's more, I'll come back and update later.
Peace out, ya'll.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Blah, blah, blah
So Mason's evaluation is tomorrow and I'm ridiculously nervous about. Like he could pass or fail it... Argh. This whole thing just sucks!
We've decided to wait for UIC to get him checked out by a doctor. Of course it's been a week, and I haven't heard from them, so I don't know if he was "triaged" in or not. I guess I'll have to put them on the list of phone calls to make at nap time.
I had to fill out 300 forms in triplicate for his eval tomorrow. Some of the questions where so obscure and impossible to answer. "What does your child do in a group situation when drugs or alcohol are involved?" Um, he does nothing, because he's 3, doesn't know what those things are, and wouldn't be anywhere where such things where going on. Really, I'm just hoping to hold myself together until the end. I'm sure it would be a fine show for the psychologist for me to be a blubbering mess in the middle of the whole thing.
I guess this is more of a vent then any kind of an update. This whole thing is actually harder to deal w/now that the ball is rolling. I don't have any faceless strangers to be angry at. I just have to deal w/the situation, and my anger at the whole thing.
Classes start next week for summer school. I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for it. It seems like a distant memory now, the classes I had 5 weeks ago. So much has changed since then. I have a feeling it's going to be harder to focus on school this semester. And semesters to come, for that matter. Not sure how to deal w/classes and everything else that is going on.
I guess that's it until tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully we have a good idea if he'll be going to Westlake or not. Hopefully he is, so he can get the therapy he needs.
Peace-out, ya'll.
We've decided to wait for UIC to get him checked out by a doctor. Of course it's been a week, and I haven't heard from them, so I don't know if he was "triaged" in or not. I guess I'll have to put them on the list of phone calls to make at nap time.
I had to fill out 300 forms in triplicate for his eval tomorrow. Some of the questions where so obscure and impossible to answer. "What does your child do in a group situation when drugs or alcohol are involved?" Um, he does nothing, because he's 3, doesn't know what those things are, and wouldn't be anywhere where such things where going on. Really, I'm just hoping to hold myself together until the end. I'm sure it would be a fine show for the psychologist for me to be a blubbering mess in the middle of the whole thing.
I guess this is more of a vent then any kind of an update. This whole thing is actually harder to deal w/now that the ball is rolling. I don't have any faceless strangers to be angry at. I just have to deal w/the situation, and my anger at the whole thing.
Classes start next week for summer school. I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for it. It seems like a distant memory now, the classes I had 5 weeks ago. So much has changed since then. I have a feeling it's going to be harder to focus on school this semester. And semesters to come, for that matter. Not sure how to deal w/classes and everything else that is going on.
I guess that's it until tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully we have a good idea if he'll be going to Westlake or not. Hopefully he is, so he can get the therapy he needs.
Peace-out, ya'll.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Welcome to Holland
Kari-anne sent this to me a few days after we found out about Mason. There isn't much I can say about it, the poem pretty much says it all. But I will add that tulips are my all-time-favorite flower ever :)
Welcome To Holland
by Emily Pearl Kingsley
I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child
with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that
unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel.
It's like this . . . When you're going to have a baby, it's like
planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of
guidebooks and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum, the
Michalangelo David, the gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy
phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting. After months of eager
anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you
go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes and
says, "Welcome to Holland." "Holland?" you say. "What do you mean
Holland? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my
life I've dreamed of going to Italy." But there's been a change in the
flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible,
disgusting, filthy place full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's
just a different place. So you go out and buy new guidebooks. And
you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new
group of people you would never have met. It's just a different place.
It's slower paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after
you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look
around, and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills, Holland
has tulips, Holland even has Rembrandts. But everyone you know is busy
coming and going from Italy, and they're all bragging about what a
wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will
say, "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had
planned." The pain of that will never go away, because the loss of
that dream is a very significant loss. But if you spend your life
mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you will never be free
to enjoy the very special, very lovely things about Holland.
Welcome To Holland
by Emily Pearl Kingsley
I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child
with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that
unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel.
It's like this . . . When you're going to have a baby, it's like
planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of
guidebooks and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum, the
Michalangelo David, the gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy
phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting. After months of eager
anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you
go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes and
says, "Welcome to Holland." "Holland?" you say. "What do you mean
Holland? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my
life I've dreamed of going to Italy." But there's been a change in the
flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible,
disgusting, filthy place full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's
just a different place. So you go out and buy new guidebooks. And
you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new
group of people you would never have met. It's just a different place.
It's slower paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after
you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look
around, and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills, Holland
has tulips, Holland even has Rembrandts. But everyone you know is busy
coming and going from Italy, and they're all bragging about what a
wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will
say, "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had
planned." The pain of that will never go away, because the loss of
that dream is a very significant loss. But if you spend your life
mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you will never be free
to enjoy the very special, very lovely things about Holland.
Ok, now what....
The lady from ABA Chicago emailed me. She has a colleague, in Joliet, that is willing to see Mason in the next 2wks, I just have to call him. I'm not sure if I should or not. It's odd to me, that this lady, who works w/autistic kids, would refer us to another clinic. It's sort of raising red flags for me, and I'm not sure if I'm over-reacting to it or not.
On another note, the school system called back, and Mason is scheduled to be evaluated next Friday morning! Yay! Progress! Unfortunately, they don't make a definate decision (on whether or not he qualifies for thier services) until he sits through a class or 2 observed. Because it's so close to the end of the year, that won't happen until the fall. The good thing, is, that she will be able to give me a good idea if he will qualify or not. She can't tell me 100%, but she will have a pretty good idea. So if she thinks he will qualify, then I will call DNS and tell them he won't be going there next year. I really don't think he will do very well in a classroom setting, as far as interacting w/the other kids, anyway. I *hope* he will listen to the teacher, LOL. Anyway, if he does qualify for the special ed pre-school, he would just end up starting a week or 2 late.
So, now we have to decide whether we keep him in Wee Care for group therapy, wait and see what the school says, all while continuing to persue the ever-elusive appointment at UIC. I'm told UIC is the place to be for autism. Or do we go into one of the other autism clinics and get him eval'd there, much quicker the UIC can. I'm not sure what to do now.
What am emotional rollercoaster this is! I just want my kid to get the help that he needs!!
I will update, later, when we know more. For now, I'm going to try and find a copy of "Welcome to Holland." It really sums up what this has been like for us.
On another note, the school system called back, and Mason is scheduled to be evaluated next Friday morning! Yay! Progress! Unfortunately, they don't make a definate decision (on whether or not he qualifies for thier services) until he sits through a class or 2 observed. Because it's so close to the end of the year, that won't happen until the fall. The good thing, is, that she will be able to give me a good idea if he will qualify or not. She can't tell me 100%, but she will have a pretty good idea. So if she thinks he will qualify, then I will call DNS and tell them he won't be going there next year. I really don't think he will do very well in a classroom setting, as far as interacting w/the other kids, anyway. I *hope* he will listen to the teacher, LOL. Anyway, if he does qualify for the special ed pre-school, he would just end up starting a week or 2 late.
So, now we have to decide whether we keep him in Wee Care for group therapy, wait and see what the school says, all while continuing to persue the ever-elusive appointment at UIC. I'm told UIC is the place to be for autism. Or do we go into one of the other autism clinics and get him eval'd there, much quicker the UIC can. I'm not sure what to do now.
What am emotional rollercoaster this is! I just want my kid to get the help that he needs!!
I will update, later, when we know more. For now, I'm going to try and find a copy of "Welcome to Holland." It really sums up what this has been like for us.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
This is beyond frustrating.
I'm fuming w/anger right now. It's been 2 wks since we found out Mason probably has PDD, and I haven't even been able to get an appointment for an evaluation yet.
We called UIC the same day we went to the pediatrician. We've been playing phone tag w/them for nearly 2wks, and today, finally, I did the "intake exam" over the phone. I spent, maybe 20 minutes on the phone w/the lady. She asked a bunch of questions about Mason, from my pregnancy w/him, his development, what we are concerned about and what goals we have right now. I assumed we would be able to schedule an appointment. Nope. She has to "triage" what we talked about, talk w/the head of the department, and then, IF he qualifies, he will be put on the 3-4 MONTH waiting list to get into the clinic. I am outraged to tears. My child needs help, and everyone is telling me I have to wait months to get it.
UIC isn't the only avenue we've been pursuing. I've contacted the school system, and I am pushing them to evaluate him before they are gone for the summer. I need to know if he will qualify for the special ed pre-school, or if he will go to the pre-school he is currently signed up for. I don't know, at this point, which is best for him. Even if we get in for an eval. now, he still won't start receiving therapies until school starts in the fall. So another 3-4mos of waiting. I will be calling the psych tomorrow to try and push an eval. date.
We've also contaced ABA Chicago. They've been the most promising, as far as getting help soon goes. I've been in contact w/them, they've been in contact w/our insurance. ABA starts a new session on 6/8, so hopefully he can start w/them, then, and get an eval beforehand. That leads me into my insurance rant. The insurance says that services aren't covered. The state law in IL says they HAVE to cover it. I truly do not have the energy to fight w/them, AND fight to just get my son in for help. The system is incredibly broken. They play stupid, and hope that when people hear "Services aren't covered." that they won't push it. They flat out lie. It should be illegal. We pay a high premium for this insurance. Jerime's company pays over $1500/mnth JUST for my family to get this coverage. We should NOT have to fight w/them. If he had cancer they would pay for him to get treated, but because he has autism, they don't want to. It makes no sense to me.
He is currently scheduled to start Group Behavior Therapy at Wee Care at the end of June. I'm lucky they would take him w/o an "official" DX. The downside....insurance will not pay for that because the behavior analyst doesn't have the degree they want her to have. (She has a degree, but not a psychiatry degree). It's very expensive to pay out of pocket for it. All the more reason I need him in at ABA or UIC. We will still have to pay some out of pocket, but not nearly as much.
I started out today feeling incredibly optimistic. I've been in contact w/the lady from ABA. I knew I would have this intake exam w/UIC, and I was sure I would have an appt. date after that. That's all gone now. Jerime "forgot" to print and fax some paperwork to ABA that I need him to do, because we don't have Word on our PC, so I can't print it. I did all the freaking work. All he has to do is print, sign and fax. 5 minutes of his friggin lunch hour. Douchebag. Doesn't he realize how important early intervention is?!?! %^&^%%$$^&**(*()*(*&^^&%!!
I'm really surprised at how therapeutic this blogging is. I feel slightly better already. Probably, mostly, because now I don't have to repeat this 500x for people.
Please keep sending good thoughts and prayers for my little boy! I will keep everyone updated on his progress, and our progress w/getting him what he needs.
We called UIC the same day we went to the pediatrician. We've been playing phone tag w/them for nearly 2wks, and today, finally, I did the "intake exam" over the phone. I spent, maybe 20 minutes on the phone w/the lady. She asked a bunch of questions about Mason, from my pregnancy w/him, his development, what we are concerned about and what goals we have right now. I assumed we would be able to schedule an appointment. Nope. She has to "triage" what we talked about, talk w/the head of the department, and then, IF he qualifies, he will be put on the 3-4 MONTH waiting list to get into the clinic. I am outraged to tears. My child needs help, and everyone is telling me I have to wait months to get it.
UIC isn't the only avenue we've been pursuing. I've contacted the school system, and I am pushing them to evaluate him before they are gone for the summer. I need to know if he will qualify for the special ed pre-school, or if he will go to the pre-school he is currently signed up for. I don't know, at this point, which is best for him. Even if we get in for an eval. now, he still won't start receiving therapies until school starts in the fall. So another 3-4mos of waiting. I will be calling the psych tomorrow to try and push an eval. date.
We've also contaced ABA Chicago. They've been the most promising, as far as getting help soon goes. I've been in contact w/them, they've been in contact w/our insurance. ABA starts a new session on 6/8, so hopefully he can start w/them, then, and get an eval beforehand. That leads me into my insurance rant. The insurance says that services aren't covered. The state law in IL says they HAVE to cover it. I truly do not have the energy to fight w/them, AND fight to just get my son in for help. The system is incredibly broken. They play stupid, and hope that when people hear "Services aren't covered." that they won't push it. They flat out lie. It should be illegal. We pay a high premium for this insurance. Jerime's company pays over $1500/mnth JUST for my family to get this coverage. We should NOT have to fight w/them. If he had cancer they would pay for him to get treated, but because he has autism, they don't want to. It makes no sense to me.
He is currently scheduled to start Group Behavior Therapy at Wee Care at the end of June. I'm lucky they would take him w/o an "official" DX. The downside....insurance will not pay for that because the behavior analyst doesn't have the degree they want her to have. (She has a degree, but not a psychiatry degree). It's very expensive to pay out of pocket for it. All the more reason I need him in at ABA or UIC. We will still have to pay some out of pocket, but not nearly as much.
I started out today feeling incredibly optimistic. I've been in contact w/the lady from ABA. I knew I would have this intake exam w/UIC, and I was sure I would have an appt. date after that. That's all gone now. Jerime "forgot" to print and fax some paperwork to ABA that I need him to do, because we don't have Word on our PC, so I can't print it. I did all the freaking work. All he has to do is print, sign and fax. 5 minutes of his friggin lunch hour. Douchebag. Doesn't he realize how important early intervention is?!?! %^&^%%$$^&**(*()*(*&^^&%!!
I'm really surprised at how therapeutic this blogging is. I feel slightly better already. Probably, mostly, because now I don't have to repeat this 500x for people.
Please keep sending good thoughts and prayers for my little boy! I will keep everyone updated on his progress, and our progress w/getting him what he needs.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The beginning
In case you don't know Mason's story, I'll post it here.
We've always described Mason as our high maintenance child. He's always been hard to soothe once he gets upset. Over the last 6 months or so (since about his 3rd birthday) Jerime and I where becoming increasingly concerned about some of his more quirky behaviors. We where mostly concerned about the fact that he refused to socialize w/other kids his age (besides his sister), but our concerns where increased when he started hand flapping, covering his ears when he was scared or nervous, and running in circles humming to himself. We knew these where all red flags for autism. We went back and forth about it, unsure whether or not we should be concerned. 85% of the time, he seems like a typical 3y/o boy. He's extremely verbal. He runs, jumps and plays w/all the typical little boy toys (and some little girl toys!) The final straw was on Payton's first birthday party. There where tons of kids his age there. At least 6 kids in the 2-4y/o age range. He not only didn't socialize w/them, but he completely segregated himself from them. You could see the stress in his face when asked if he wanted to go play w/the kids. After the party, we decided it was time to consult the pediatrician.
Making that appointment, was probably one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. It was like admitting to the world that there might be something wrong w/my child. I scheduled his appointment, and Payton's one year check up for the same time. Laura talked me into cancelling Payton's, and offered to watch my girls for me so I could just take Mason alone, and concentrate on him. I am eternally greatful to her for that. Jerime decided last minute to take the day off work and go with me. I hadn't asked him, because, well, it's a doctor's appointment. I've always been capable of takin the kids in alone, why would this be any different? So we went in, and talked to the pediatrician. He couldn't give a DX, but he did refer us to the Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician at UIC. He said "Something is definately wrong here." He feels strongly that Mason has PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder). PDD is an autism spectrum disorder. Basically another way of saying High Functioning Autism.
I knew. I knew that was what he was going to say before we walked in the office, but still, hearing it was like a kick in the stomach. Worse then a kick in the stomach. It felt like my world had been ripped out from underneath me. The most random things ran through my head. Things I'd never really thought about and where just givens. Would he ever play T-ball? Have a career? A family? Would kids at school be mean to him? Is he going to care? Everyday has gotten a little bit better. The world hasn't ended. He's still my Mason. Happy, funny, silly, adorable Mason.
So the next step is getting him in to see a specialist for an official DX and treatment.
We've always described Mason as our high maintenance child. He's always been hard to soothe once he gets upset. Over the last 6 months or so (since about his 3rd birthday) Jerime and I where becoming increasingly concerned about some of his more quirky behaviors. We where mostly concerned about the fact that he refused to socialize w/other kids his age (besides his sister), but our concerns where increased when he started hand flapping, covering his ears when he was scared or nervous, and running in circles humming to himself. We knew these where all red flags for autism. We went back and forth about it, unsure whether or not we should be concerned. 85% of the time, he seems like a typical 3y/o boy. He's extremely verbal. He runs, jumps and plays w/all the typical little boy toys (and some little girl toys!) The final straw was on Payton's first birthday party. There where tons of kids his age there. At least 6 kids in the 2-4y/o age range. He not only didn't socialize w/them, but he completely segregated himself from them. You could see the stress in his face when asked if he wanted to go play w/the kids. After the party, we decided it was time to consult the pediatrician.
Making that appointment, was probably one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. It was like admitting to the world that there might be something wrong w/my child. I scheduled his appointment, and Payton's one year check up for the same time. Laura talked me into cancelling Payton's, and offered to watch my girls for me so I could just take Mason alone, and concentrate on him. I am eternally greatful to her for that. Jerime decided last minute to take the day off work and go with me. I hadn't asked him, because, well, it's a doctor's appointment. I've always been capable of takin the kids in alone, why would this be any different? So we went in, and talked to the pediatrician. He couldn't give a DX, but he did refer us to the Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician at UIC. He said "Something is definately wrong here." He feels strongly that Mason has PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder). PDD is an autism spectrum disorder. Basically another way of saying High Functioning Autism.
I knew. I knew that was what he was going to say before we walked in the office, but still, hearing it was like a kick in the stomach. Worse then a kick in the stomach. It felt like my world had been ripped out from underneath me. The most random things ran through my head. Things I'd never really thought about and where just givens. Would he ever play T-ball? Have a career? A family? Would kids at school be mean to him? Is he going to care? Everyday has gotten a little bit better. The world hasn't ended. He's still my Mason. Happy, funny, silly, adorable Mason.
So the next step is getting him in to see a specialist for an official DX and treatment.
Hi everyone!
I started this blog to keep everyone updated on Mason and what's going on with him, and us in reguards to his diagnosis. People keep asking me what's going on, so I either end up repeating/typing it a hundred times, or I forget who I've talked to, and don't update them. I'm hoping a blog about him will keep this from happening.
Before that, though, I have to thank my amazing and wonderful friends, Kris, Paul, Shannon, Laura, Annette and Ray. Between them they have been a rock to lean on and a wealth of information. I seriously don't know where I would be right now if it weren't for them.
In fact, this blog got it's title from Shannon, who promised me that Mason would, learn to fly. And I believe that with every ounce of my being.
The support we have recieved from everyone has been amazing! I am truely grateful to every one out there who has been thinking and praying for our little boy. Please continue to do that, as the road ahead of us is going to be long and trying.
I've been sitting here trying to figure out how to end this, and I seriously can't come up with anything. I guess I should just thank everyone who reads this, and hope you all enjoy watching Mason learn to fly.
Before that, though, I have to thank my amazing and wonderful friends, Kris, Paul, Shannon, Laura, Annette and Ray. Between them they have been a rock to lean on and a wealth of information. I seriously don't know where I would be right now if it weren't for them.
In fact, this blog got it's title from Shannon, who promised me that Mason would, learn to fly. And I believe that with every ounce of my being.
The support we have recieved from everyone has been amazing! I am truely grateful to every one out there who has been thinking and praying for our little boy. Please continue to do that, as the road ahead of us is going to be long and trying.
I've been sitting here trying to figure out how to end this, and I seriously can't come up with anything. I guess I should just thank everyone who reads this, and hope you all enjoy watching Mason learn to fly.
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