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:

• 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

We spend a lot of time coordinating all of these people, schedules, and making sure we are all on the same page. Yes, at times it is a lot to manage. But we do it, and most importantly we do it with gratitude. I feel so lucky that we have found all of the "best" in the field to work with Kaden.

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!