Sometimes change is needed. Recently, we found that to be true.
Josiah was receiving speech and occupational therapy twice per month. That had been the schedule for months. As he nears his second birthday, I wondered if that was enough. After talking to other parents of children with Down syndrome, we decided to switch things up. We reached out to a local rehabilitation center that offers traditional rehab-based therapy.
Josiah was evaluated by their clinicians, two weeks ago, for speech and occupational therapy (OT). He was deemed eligible for both services, twice weekly - that is quadruple the services he had been receiving.
The evaluation for speech deemed him age-appropriate for receptive language skills; he understands everything. His delays, however, in expressive speech were apparent (this was not new news). Josiah says three words. He will be two next month. They have suggested using a communication book. Where Josiah's receptive language skills are so keen, they feel he is a great candidate for such a tool. We are excited to try this new communication aide.
OT will continue to work on fine/gross motor skills. I anticipate huge strides as the number of sessions per month have just multiplied x4. I am excited as change is in the air. Fall will be an exciting time for Josiah. I believe that huge things are going to happen for him.
What an exciting time it is.....
Showing posts with label gross motor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gross motor. Show all posts
Friday, September 20, 2013
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Playin' Ball with Mama 050313
Josiah has finally mastered the deliberate release. He can now play ball (a game which he loves). Here's a cute video I took the other night. Enjoy :)
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Tuesday's Huge Stride
February vacation began on Saturday, three days post-moving-home (from Blizzard displacement). I taught on Saturday, visited with my Aunt, and accomplished things around the house. Sunday and Monday (the holiday) - I did nothing. I stayed in my pajamas, fed the kids, bathed the boys, and otherwise sat on my behind....a much needed break.
This morning started as usual. The three year old whom we now refer to as the human alarm clock arose at 6:06am. We call him the human alarm clock because he awakes, without fail, between 6:00-6:30 (usually between 6:05 and 6:20). We managed to get him ready for preschool and C left with him, running, at 7:48. At 7:52, around the corner, they determined that they must have missed the bus. C drove him to school, arriving there at 8:10. As it turns out, the bus isn't running this week due to vacation week.
Meanwhile at home, C (occupational therapist) arrived at 8:15 for her scheduled appointment with Josiah. He was up, changed, dressed, nursed, and ready to play. C came with a friend today. It was twice the fun, twice the attention. Josiah loved it. While D (physical therapist) continues to work with Josiah on gross motor, C focuses more of her attention on fine motor (grasping small object, gripping, eating, etc). Josiah is making good progress in this area. He laughed, flirted, and worked hard for C today. He did very well.
By 9:30, the session was over. Josiah was exhausted. He ate his cereal (baby oatmeal & fruit), the six yr old got ready, and we were out the door. Our adventure was one of many small accomplishments. We paid bills, dropped paperwork off, picked up a few items for Josiah, kidnapped my Mom (who returned home this past weekend), visited my aunt, returned my Mom, and made our way to preschool. We got there at 3:45. We had a busy day but felt good about all we had done.
We arrived home at 4:15. We were home for the night. To satisfy a six year old's desire, we ordered pizza for dinner (meatball sub for the 3 yr old 'cause someone doesn't like pizza lol). We had a fun night at home. Everyone was in a good mood. Things were fairly mellow. We even watched a movie together. Then it was time for the 3 yr old to go to bed. It was about 7:30pm.
As he brushed his teeth in the bathroom, with C supervising, I sat in the living room with the six yr old, and Josiah. Josiah was on the floor, his oldest brother a short distance away. As we've seen him do before, Josiah got up on all fours and began rocking. Something was different. There was a determination in his eyes that was not to be missed. I grabbed my phone and frantically opened up the video app. This is what I captured:
This morning started as usual. The three year old whom we now refer to as the human alarm clock arose at 6:06am. We call him the human alarm clock because he awakes, without fail, between 6:00-6:30 (usually between 6:05 and 6:20). We managed to get him ready for preschool and C left with him, running, at 7:48. At 7:52, around the corner, they determined that they must have missed the bus. C drove him to school, arriving there at 8:10. As it turns out, the bus isn't running this week due to vacation week.
Meanwhile at home, C (occupational therapist) arrived at 8:15 for her scheduled appointment with Josiah. He was up, changed, dressed, nursed, and ready to play. C came with a friend today. It was twice the fun, twice the attention. Josiah loved it. While D (physical therapist) continues to work with Josiah on gross motor, C focuses more of her attention on fine motor (grasping small object, gripping, eating, etc). Josiah is making good progress in this area. He laughed, flirted, and worked hard for C today. He did very well.
By 9:30, the session was over. Josiah was exhausted. He ate his cereal (baby oatmeal & fruit), the six yr old got ready, and we were out the door. Our adventure was one of many small accomplishments. We paid bills, dropped paperwork off, picked up a few items for Josiah, kidnapped my Mom (who returned home this past weekend), visited my aunt, returned my Mom, and made our way to preschool. We got there at 3:45. We had a busy day but felt good about all we had done.
We arrived home at 4:15. We were home for the night. To satisfy a six year old's desire, we ordered pizza for dinner (meatball sub for the 3 yr old 'cause someone doesn't like pizza lol). We had a fun night at home. Everyone was in a good mood. Things were fairly mellow. We even watched a movie together. Then it was time for the 3 yr old to go to bed. It was about 7:30pm.
As he brushed his teeth in the bathroom, with C supervising, I sat in the living room with the six yr old, and Josiah. Josiah was on the floor, his oldest brother a short distance away. As we've seen him do before, Josiah got up on all fours and began rocking. Something was different. There was a determination in his eyes that was not to be missed. I grabbed my phone and frantically opened up the video app. This is what I captured:
Even as I type this, I am in awe of an amazing little boy. He's sixteen months old and crawled for the first time tonight. I couldn't be any prouder. It's not about age. It's about a little boy who demonstrates more strength, determination, resiliency, and spirit than anyone I have ever met. Josiah is my hero and my life has been blessed, tenfold, because he is here <3
The most important moments lie neither at the beginning nor the end,
but rather in the journey getting from one to another.
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