Time for Acceptance

I've dedicated a lot of my blogs to Liam and explaining what we have gone through/are going through with him. I feel like once I opened the door to our personal life, I have to keep it at least cracked and update my readers on what's going on with him and his health.

Last week I saw Liam's geneticist again to discuss test results and next steps. Luckily he tested negative for all major disorders, but we still have no idea what is going on with him. We also got denied our request for an MRI because the risks of the procedure out weigh what we might gain from the results. We've officially gone to every specialists and have requested every test we can at this time.

I'm sure to some I sound crazy - why am I searching so hard to try and find a diagnosis for my child? It's not that I want something to be wrong with him, I just want to understand him and try to help him in anyway I can. He is about a year and a half behind his peers - across the developmental board, not just in speech - and I want to make sure we're doing all we can for him.

So we've decided to accept things as they are and focus on therapy for him and making his life as easy as possible. We're going to try some new techniques and we're even contemplating combining Liam and Claire's room so we can make a classroom and to incorporate more of his therapies at home.

First thing we're working on is a routine chart; I'll outline everyday on the chart so he'll visually see what the day holds. The chart will have symbols for activities for the day - like therapy - or visitors for the day - like his grandparents. Hopefully this helps ease some of his anxieties and making transitions throughout the day easier. We're also using specific phrases throughout the day in hopes he'll memorize these phrases and begin to try and use them. He's making gains in speech, but they are slow and not consistent. Also, we're going to purchase some OT equipment so we can begin doing muscle strengthening exercises on a daily basis.

Liam has his first favorite movie - Frozen. We bought it last week and Claire and Liam watch it at least twice a day. Today he started to mimic the sound and gestures for the song "Let it Go." The only word he can kind of say is "Go" so he says it multiple times in the correct melody of the song. Then he waves his hands like Elsa does. It's a huge gain for him and it's beyond awesome to watch him try to mimic and get so excited for something :)

So here's to the next chapter in our journey with him! In the next few months we'll also be working with the county to see what preschool services they are willing to offer him ... stay tuned!

<3 <3 <3

OT Fun for All :)