Yes, all of this in the last week. We have been very busy...and I don't just mean because I started school this week! Yes, my 16 hours a week of school, along with Kaden's 14 hours a week of therapy is a little bit of an adjustment ~ but there is still time for all of the other "stuff."
It all goes together. If you would have asked me a couple days ago, I would have been in tears as we struggle to help Kaden through some new challenges. But today, I am estatic and more optimistic than ever.
We started giving Kaden mb12 injections this week. If you want to read about mb12, you can do so at http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/methyl-b12-a-treatment-for-asd-with-methylation-issues/ but basically it is a form of vitamin b12 which is said to help many children on the spectrum in amazing ways. However, it is not easy to get a prescription for and even more difficult to get the prescription filled. I learned this after 6 weeks of fighting like hell with K's pediatrician. Several research documents later, and with lots of persistance with a smile, I convinced his pediatrician to prescribe him one cycle (which is 6 weeks worth). Well, little did I know this was only the beginning of my fight. You can't get these injections filled at just any pharmacy. You can't even get these filled at any regular "compund" pharmacy. They have to be made at a "speciality compound" pharmacy because mb12 is not produced commercially. Anyways, when all was said and done we ended up paying out of pocket for these injections. They are not cheap, but Kaden's Naturopath was confident we would see profound results. Indeed we have!
I have given Kaden 3 injections so far, he gets three a week. Today I was absolutely amazed as I jotted down every new word I heard come out of his mouth. I counted....a total of 14 different words he said today! No, they weren't all new words, but the fact that he actually said that many different words in one day is HUGE! Mind you, these aren't perfect words coming out of his mouth....but he is trying, and we can understand him. He is so much more present, connected, and acting like a "typical" kid! Again, we lift another layer of fog from Kaden's brain just as we did with the diet and supplements. I don't care how many medical professionals want to tell me that there isn't enough scientific research to back these alternative treatments...there is no research more powerful than what I see happening with my son. Do I think all alternative treatments work for every child? Absolutely not. But how will you ever know unless you try it? As long as Kaden is safe & healthy I will try anything and everything that has a chance at helping him.
Along with all of this development comes some more challenges for Kaden. He is going through his developmental milestones and currently in the phase of "mine, mine, mine." The problem is that he is almost three (a big three at that), and he is very strong. He has realized that he is strong, and he can use his strength to get what he needs. Cognitavely, he doesn't get that two children can share one toy. He does not have the ability to reason, and the concept of sharing is completely foreign to him. So we have been having some issues of him being agressive and it's never easy having the conversation that your kid may get kicked out of 2 hour child care because he is becoming too "dangerous." The good news is that he has one of the best behavioral therapists working with him, and she is helping him (and us) through this.
As always, the bumps in the road always seem a lot smoother when there is exciting progress. We are so proud of Kaden!
Have a great week :)
About Me
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
Happy New Year!!!
"While we teach our children about life, our children teach us what life is about."
Wow, what a year it has been! As we have prepared and welcomed 2012, I have spent a lot of time reflecting on 2011 and all that it brought us.
I wouldn't say 2011 was the easiest year, but it was definitely fulfilling. I think I have learned more about myself, my children and my relationships in this one year than in my entire life. I have shed a lot of tears and felt fear that was at one time unthinkable, but I have also celebrated some successes that made me feel like I was on top of the world.
Ten months ago we were told by several different professionals that Kaden has some serious motor planning issues which would affect his development, but that it was too early to tell how severe or where he would be developmentally in the future. In the months following we he was diagnosed twice with Autism, along with Dysphagia and possibly Apraxia.
Here we are entering the new year and Kaden has surprised all of us. I always knew in my heart things were going to be ok, no matter what the outcome. But he has made strides that they said weren't possible. One year ago, we could not get him to make any noise at all to even approximate words. At 2 years old, he had not yet started to babble. I now enter a room to hear him calling "ma ma." I tell him to go get his shoes, and he says "shoes." One year ago he would not even have looked at me when I said his name. Today he is present, connected, and engaged. Not just 50% of the time like we had hoped, but ALL of the time. It truly is nothing short of amazing.
Kaden would not be where he is today if it was not for all of his hard work. I often listen to people complain about their full time job, and how exhausted they are. I just can't help but laugh. My son is 2.5 years old with a full time job that is probably more mentally demanding than any job any adult has (except maybe those who work with him, lol). When he isn't in his therapy sessions, we are constantly putting demands on him at home. But it is all paying off, and the greatest thing is that he is starting to feel the benefits of all of his hard work.
He uses an iPad to communicate, along with sign language and sounds. There are no words to describe the way his eyes light up when he makes a sentence with his iPad and I repeat it back to him. He says "YES!" with such excitement in his voice.
Kaden has the best of the best working with him and overseeing his care. This team consists of the following:
Thank you to all of Kaden's therapists, our family, and friends for the constant support as Kaden continues to make remarkable strides in his development.
Lastly and certainly not least, thank you to all of those who continue to read our blog and learn. The more YOU know, the better Kaden's life will ultimately be!
Happy New Year, make it a great one!
Wow, what a year it has been! As we have prepared and welcomed 2012, I have spent a lot of time reflecting on 2011 and all that it brought us.
I wouldn't say 2011 was the easiest year, but it was definitely fulfilling. I think I have learned more about myself, my children and my relationships in this one year than in my entire life. I have shed a lot of tears and felt fear that was at one time unthinkable, but I have also celebrated some successes that made me feel like I was on top of the world.
Ten months ago we were told by several different professionals that Kaden has some serious motor planning issues which would affect his development, but that it was too early to tell how severe or where he would be developmentally in the future. In the months following we he was diagnosed twice with Autism, along with Dysphagia and possibly Apraxia.
Here we are entering the new year and Kaden has surprised all of us. I always knew in my heart things were going to be ok, no matter what the outcome. But he has made strides that they said weren't possible. One year ago, we could not get him to make any noise at all to even approximate words. At 2 years old, he had not yet started to babble. I now enter a room to hear him calling "ma ma." I tell him to go get his shoes, and he says "shoes." One year ago he would not even have looked at me when I said his name. Today he is present, connected, and engaged. Not just 50% of the time like we had hoped, but ALL of the time. It truly is nothing short of amazing.
Kaden would not be where he is today if it was not for all of his hard work. I often listen to people complain about their full time job, and how exhausted they are. I just can't help but laugh. My son is 2.5 years old with a full time job that is probably more mentally demanding than any job any adult has (except maybe those who work with him, lol). When he isn't in his therapy sessions, we are constantly putting demands on him at home. But it is all paying off, and the greatest thing is that he is starting to feel the benefits of all of his hard work.
He uses an iPad to communicate, along with sign language and sounds. There are no words to describe the way his eyes light up when he makes a sentence with his iPad and I repeat it back to him. He says "YES!" with such excitement in his voice.
Kaden has the best of the best working with him and overseeing his care. This team consists of the following:
- Social Worker
- Pediatrician
- Developmental Pediatrician
- Neurologist
- Speech Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Behavioral Therapist
- Feeding/Swallowing Therapist
- Ear, Nose, Throat Specialist
- Nutritionist
- NaturoPath
- Sensory Group leaders
- The wonderful people at SCOE
Thank you to all of Kaden's therapists, our family, and friends for the constant support as Kaden continues to make remarkable strides in his development.
Lastly and certainly not least, thank you to all of those who continue to read our blog and learn. The more YOU know, the better Kaden's life will ultimately be!
Happy New Year, make it a great one!
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