October Updates

It's been a busy month so far! New therapy - New words - New talents

Therapy

We started co-treatment with a speech language pathologist and a occupational therapist at the Children's Institute of Pittsburgh this month. They are helping Tommy to develop the oral motor skills necessary to eat. Since Thomas had many surgeries during the time he should have been developing these skills he was never able to master them. He was intubated during procedures which can cause discomfort and had undiagnosed reflux for several months. Hopefully, through oral stimulation and desensitization therapies we can break down his textural defenses and teach his mouth how to handle food.

I love my swing!

His new therapists have been putting him in a swing during his therapy. If he allows them to complete a therapy goal (like touching a textured baby toothbrush to his lips) he is rewarded with 10 big swings. And you should see Thomas in a swing. His posture improves, his eyes open wide, and he gets a big grin. He loves gross movement and swinging feels so good to him. 

We had a lot of crying at the second session but I tried my best to stay back and let them work. He needs to develop trust with the therapists. If I'm constantly interrupting they can't do their job and Thomas won't get the full benefit of therapy. It's not easy to see him cry but I know he is not in pain. Mostly he is acting like a toddler and they are asking him to work on tasks that make him uncomfortable. But he is learning that the tasks don't hurt and that he gets a fun reward (big swings!) if he does what they ask.

I have heard good things about this program from other parents of blind children so I am interested to see how it goes. I just hope there is less crying next week!

Speech

We are seeing improvements in speech as well. I think that Thomas is learning that his voice is a powerful tool. It's hard to know that he has words and doesn't use them. Sometimes he uses a word for a week or two and then doesn't say it again. It is very frustrating for me because I want to know what he is thinking and how I can help him. I want to be able to give him what he needs and it would be so much easier if he could talk to me. 

I keep wishing for a language building iPad app for blind/visually impaired kids but I haven't found anything that I think will work yet. Everything is so visual! I wish they had a song based language coaching app. That would be interesting!

Tommy said his first word into the phone - Go! He already loves to listen to people talk to him on the phone. He gets the biggest smile when he hears one of his grandmothers on the phone. It's adorable. 

He also started vocalizing into the microphone on his keyboard. He thought it was hysterical to hear his voice amplified. The cats were not pleased at all about this new development. 

Noodle had to investigate all the shouting!

Tom's voice sounded pretty metal to me so watch out. Could there be a preschool garage band in his future?

He already has a band t-shirt collection