Ben is all set to start Early Achievements on Wednesday of this week.
Ben and I went to the orientation last week. I was unprepared for the flood of emotion as I stepped back into that classroom. It was there that we watched Addie come to life, and there that I made many good friends, and there that I saw my daughter's true personality emerge.
In addition to the flood of emotions from five years ago I am battling my brain with the "should we's"?? At this point in time, after Ben's intense, but very fun, time in Little Learners, he is doing so well. He has many words, he is starting to combine words, he can label all the things we do and see, and he can fully get his needs met. While we have committed to the Early Achievements program, and I know how beneficial it is, I'm wondering if it really is the best thing for Ben. When I have these thoughts I usually feel selfish because Ben is going to have a wonderful time no matter what...it's me that I worry about. (see--SELFISH!!) Addie will have to go to before-care, Cassie will have to go to before care and after care, and I'll be doing a LOT of driving back and forth to all things.
On the other hand, this is a huge opportunity for Ben--and for me. Ben will continue to great early intervention and learn new and exciting things everyday. I will be able to continue to shout from the rooftop just how wonderful we think Kennedy Krieger is, and I'll be meeting new and wonderful people whom I hope to call friends.
In the meantime we'll be updating Ben's IFSP (the document that lays out the services that Ben receives through our local Infants and Toddlers organization) to get a speech consult, continue physical therapy, OT consult, and anything else that we may have questions about. I would much rather have it all checked out now than find out we have missed a crucial "window" opening somewhere along the way.
In a related note--if you as a reader have a child (or know someone who does) who is not meeting developmental milestones--please do not hesitate in contacting your local Birth to Three/Infant & Toddler program. I am happy to answer questions as well, though I am by no means an expert! You'll find my contact info on my profile here. Here are a few other helpful links.
www.kennedykrieger.org (key in Early Achievements at the search input)
http://www.vineseis.com The Vines Early Intervention Services in Towson, MD
Thanks for reading, folks!!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
B Meets Dr. Anna
I have been both dreading and looking forward to this day for the last month or so. In November, while doing a walk-a-thon with A at school, I got a phone call that B could be seen at CARD, the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, and the Kennedy Krieger Institute. We made the request for the appointment at the urging of Dr. Rebecca Landa, head of the Center, and whom we are quite certain walks on water. Despite many very positive things and tremendous progress throughout the Little Learners Program, the post-testing was still pointing to B having several 'autism red flags and/or behaviors, so--while we totally know what to expect...we found we sort of didn't know what to expect! Hubby hasn't been nearly so worked up over this as I have been. Whether it's because he's clear headed and optimistic in nearly all circumstances or whether we truly have nothing to worry about, who's to know?? (I prefer to think it's the latter, by the way) Regardless, today was the day and I was really dreading it.
The very rational, intelligent (yes, there is one) part of me knows that a diagnosis of an Autism disorder is nothing more than an artificial label. I know that the best thing we, as parents and advocates, can do is to treat symptoms and behaviors as they arise and not focus on a label, a diagnosis, a stigma. I had totally gotten myself wrapped up in the labeling. I was preparing myself for hearing that B has autism.
The very good news--and to cut to the chase--is that after a very lengthy visit Dr. Anna, as she likes to be called, it was observed that Ben is doing quite well in all aspects of development: socially, physically, behaviorally. Dr. Anna said that had she not heard our history or known anything about us (she heard both Hubby and I speak a few months back at the KKI Autism Conference) ASD wouldn't have come into light at all. (I'm paraphrasing a bit). I had so engulfed myself in the thoughts that we were going to walk out with a labeled child that the idea of walking out with a happy carefree B never did cross my mind.
Now I'm not so naive as to think that things can't or won't change...and I realize that the exhaustive testing that the wonderful clinicians at REACH/KKI certainly points to some red flags for B, but I truly never thought we'd walk out of there with really amazing news. I, while happy, still spent the rest of the day in a complete fog!
Even with a very positive prognosis Dr. Anna (and we) still feels that Early Achievements is the best avenue to follow for B right now. Before I was on the fence (should we/shouldn't we?) but now I'm sure. We're going to do it--we're going to work past the struggles (signing A up for morning before school care so I can transport B to Early Achievements) and we're going to have a fantastic six months. I know I'll have a tired little guy in the afternoons, and I'll miss spending my mornings with him, but I know he'll be in very good, very capable hands. And I will get what I've been yearning for....a few hours to myself nearly every day. Even more importantly, though, we'll have the satisfaction of knowing that we are doing everything possible to get B a good outcome. Maybe we're lucky...maybe we're just in the right place at the right time, but I prefer to think that by being proactive, assertive parents we're doing our kid a huge favor.
That's it for now, friends...Happy New Year--may it be good for us all~
The very rational, intelligent (yes, there is one) part of me knows that a diagnosis of an Autism disorder is nothing more than an artificial label. I know that the best thing we, as parents and advocates, can do is to treat symptoms and behaviors as they arise and not focus on a label, a diagnosis, a stigma. I had totally gotten myself wrapped up in the labeling. I was preparing myself for hearing that B has autism.
The very good news--and to cut to the chase--is that after a very lengthy visit Dr. Anna, as she likes to be called, it was observed that Ben is doing quite well in all aspects of development: socially, physically, behaviorally. Dr. Anna said that had she not heard our history or known anything about us (she heard both Hubby and I speak a few months back at the KKI Autism Conference) ASD wouldn't have come into light at all. (I'm paraphrasing a bit). I had so engulfed myself in the thoughts that we were going to walk out with a labeled child that the idea of walking out with a happy carefree B never did cross my mind.
Now I'm not so naive as to think that things can't or won't change...and I realize that the exhaustive testing that the wonderful clinicians at REACH/KKI certainly points to some red flags for B, but I truly never thought we'd walk out of there with really amazing news. I, while happy, still spent the rest of the day in a complete fog!
Even with a very positive prognosis Dr. Anna (and we) still feels that Early Achievements is the best avenue to follow for B right now. Before I was on the fence (should we/shouldn't we?) but now I'm sure. We're going to do it--we're going to work past the struggles (signing A up for morning before school care so I can transport B to Early Achievements) and we're going to have a fantastic six months. I know I'll have a tired little guy in the afternoons, and I'll miss spending my mornings with him, but I know he'll be in very good, very capable hands. And I will get what I've been yearning for....a few hours to myself nearly every day. Even more importantly, though, we'll have the satisfaction of knowing that we are doing everything possible to get B a good outcome. Maybe we're lucky...maybe we're just in the right place at the right time, but I prefer to think that by being proactive, assertive parents we're doing our kid a huge favor.
That's it for now, friends...Happy New Year--may it be good for us all~
Almost the big 3-5
Here we are, at the beginning of a new year....and sometimes I still manage to forget that I'm not 28 anymore. Somehow time keeps passing and I'm actually going to be the big 3-5. For those of you keeping track--that's 5 years from 40. 5 years from 30 too....if you're a 'glass half full' kind of thinker. In my head I am thinking of this as a 'big' birthday--but in reality it's just another number. My inlaws will be out of town, my parents busy, we'll celebrate by Hubby ordering in Sushi and watching the Ravens, I'll play with my late Christmas/Early B-day gift the iPod Touch.... But why does 35 seem so, well, monumental?? It just seems so adult--so grown up. Let me set the record straight...I do NOT feel like a grown up. I know that I won't get carded at a liquor store...I know that no one is going to take me for a 25 year old...but 35?? There are 35 year old grandmothers out there, folks!! Ack...does this mean that, had things happened way out of order way back when, that I could be a (gulp) grandmother?? Wow. How did this HAPPEN? When did I get this old??
At 28 I was on top of the world. I was the young, cute SAHM & wife...I had a toddler, I kept a nice house, I went on playdates, I was happy. Not that I am not happy now...I would dare to argue that I am in a near blissful state...at least whilst my children are safely tucked into their beds asleep, mind you. But sometimes if someone has the audacity to ask my age--my gut reaction is to blurt out "28." Why IS this?? Because once I realize the stupidity of my own thinking I think not only am I NOT 28 anymore...I've lived a lifetime since then! In the last 7 years my life has changed more drastically than at any other time in my memory. I've watched a beautiful baby girl get diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, I've seen her blossom and flourish beyond my wildest dreams and hopes, I've given birth to two more absolutely amazing creatures, and, despite being together for more than half of my life, I feel like Hubby and I have totally synched up and hit a really good stride. Why is it, then, that I keep reverting to this silly number....shouldn't my number be "almost 35?" **Technically I am not 35 until 6:38pm on January 11th...so until that moment I will continue to be almost 35. Just to be clear.
I guess I still feel young. 28 was a darn good year for me--but I know that 35 has the potential to knock my socks off. Check in with me in a few weeks....
At 28 I was on top of the world. I was the young, cute SAHM & wife...I had a toddler, I kept a nice house, I went on playdates, I was happy. Not that I am not happy now...I would dare to argue that I am in a near blissful state...at least whilst my children are safely tucked into their beds asleep, mind you. But sometimes if someone has the audacity to ask my age--my gut reaction is to blurt out "28." Why IS this?? Because once I realize the stupidity of my own thinking I think not only am I NOT 28 anymore...I've lived a lifetime since then! In the last 7 years my life has changed more drastically than at any other time in my memory. I've watched a beautiful baby girl get diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, I've seen her blossom and flourish beyond my wildest dreams and hopes, I've given birth to two more absolutely amazing creatures, and, despite being together for more than half of my life, I feel like Hubby and I have totally synched up and hit a really good stride. Why is it, then, that I keep reverting to this silly number....shouldn't my number be "almost 35?" **Technically I am not 35 until 6:38pm on January 11th...so until that moment I will continue to be almost 35. Just to be clear.
I guess I still feel young. 28 was a darn good year for me--but I know that 35 has the potential to knock my socks off. Check in with me in a few weeks....
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