About this blog.

My son was diagnosed with PDD-NOS at 24 months. I created this blog to bring meaning to the often-confusing label. Sometimes I have answers. Other times, just more questions.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

I'm Back.

Sorry for the prolonged absence. I'd provide a good reason but I don't have one. I just needed to focus on all of the rest of life's demands. I missed you all!

We're still here, and we're doing well.

Brad is coming along nicely. Still ever the joy to parent, mellow and happy as ever. I wish I knew what makes him so perpetually happy. I'd bottle it up and drink it myself.

On the cognitive front, he's reading now - not too shabby for a 4.5 year old. At this stage, it's beginner reading, mostly three letter words, but not just sight words or rote learning. He's legitimately sounding things out and reading new words. From a parenting perspective, our goodnight ritual is pure joy, with Jeremy and Brad taking turns reading kiddie books.

So I suppose I've been smelling the roses lately.

But all sun and no rain makes for a desert, doesn't it? On the speech/communication front, he was recently reevaluated by his private speech therapist (not the public school), and the results were not great. (Click here for his evaluation from a year ago.) His delay is still in the "severe" category for expressive communication. The SLP had expected him to progress to the "mild" category by now. But there were gains. The perpetually tough grader said he is showing a budding imagination. For those of you who want to understand how this is evaluated: "typical" children narrate a play scheme while they play. The first time Brad was evaluated, he didn't do this, but during the most recent evaluation, he did. But according to the SLP, he still isn't getting the big picture, choosing to focus on details and losing out on concepts and meaning.

On the motor front, he's progressing, I suppose. A big milestone: he can take off a shirt effortlessly now. He's pedaling, just on his big wheel. But he's as floppy as ever, and continues to be unmotivated to move, characteristic of hypotonia. He's been in a big boy bed for a year now, and he has never attempted to leave the bed on his own. Not once. He just waits for us to show up and tell him to get up. Maybe that's in part a routine issue. But still. The good news: he's overnight potty trained. Weird, right? He doesn't get up overnight to go potty; he just holds it in all night. This is me, not complaining.

On the physical front, his pigeon toed-ness seems to be getting worse, not better. His natural standing posture is with his feet twisted inward, a lot.

So what's new with you and yours?

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

So glad to "hear" your voice again, Laura! Big hugs and welcome back from EJD and me.

Anonymous said...

Hey Laura

Nice to see you posting again. Thanks for the update! I wish I could bottle Brad's mellow and happiness too. Happy kids = happy mom!

Mostly all is pretty well here. Just settling in for summer. Did you know I'm expecting #3? Surprise!! (For us too!!) Due end of summer. Wish me luck - I need it!

father of four said...

It's great to have you back Laura. I know we all missed you!

tracey (aka rainbowmummy) said...

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA *RUGBY TACKLE HUGS* I've missed you so much xx And "I just needed to focus on all of the rest of life's demands" is a damn good reason. xxxxxx
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Laura said...

Thanks everyone, and sorry to flake out. I missed you! And GF, OMG congrats!!!!

Robin said...

Yay! So glad to see you're back!

Kris said...

Laura, I'm so glad you are back. I missed reading your blog. I started a new one. Glad to hear Brad is doing well. I look forward to your future posts.

D. Baker said...

I don't think I've ever commented before, but I follow your blog regularly and really love it. Missed you. Glad you're back and, of course, you need no excuses at all to disappear.

Brenda Rothman (Mama Be Good) said...

Oh, my goodness, Laura. So glad you're back. All that testing? I am worn out. On the depth perception: Jack doesn't have any either. Yet.