The more I read and learn about SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder), the more I realize that is what is wrong with me. I have been previously diagnosed as OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) and possibly ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), but now I am certain it’s SPD. The OCD diagnosis never felt exactly right — I feel “sort of” OCD. The ADHD fit better, but the SPD is spot on who I am and what is wrong with me.
As good as it feels to know what my problem is and to know I’m not just plain crazy (which I often feel), it’s frustrating because there’s not really treatment with adults. The good news, however, is after talking with S, who runs the practice where Ace is going for OT, she believes I am right and wants to help. At first, she gave me a somewhat patronizing, “As parents learn about SPD, they see things in themselves and start to think…” and I do know what she means, as we all have a touch of SPD here and there, but as I went on (and showed her a checklist of symptoms I had found online and filled out) she seemed genuinely interested and to believe me. As I continued, I would start to tell her things about me, and she was able to finish my sentences because she knows SPD, and she knew what I was going to say certain things/situations did to me. It was so comforting to have some validation in how I feel/act even if she doesn’t have an answer for me. Read the rest of this entry »
The boys had their 18-month checkup a couple of weeks ago, and I’d been meaning to post their stats.
Ace (AKA Baby A), who was born at just 3 pounds 11 ounces, is now 21 pounds 5 ounces (5th percentile) and 31″ tall (10th percentile). In true Cronck fashion, his head is 48.5 cm and in the 75th percentile. Ha ha!!
Nate (AKA Baby B), who weighed in at a mere 4 pounds 7 ounces at birth, is now 25 pounds 9 ounces (50th percentile) and 31.5″ tall (25th percentile). And again, true to Cronck form, his head is a whopping 49.5 cm (90th percentile). Gotta have a place to keep all those brains!
They are at or above average in all of their milestones. They really have never been delayed in any of their development. Seeing as they were born 9 weeks premature, it’s incredible that they have done so well in their progress. Read the rest of this entry »
It’s been a few days since I took Ace to meet with L, the new therapist, and I’ve been meaning to update. I think that overall, it went pretty well. L agreed that he was under-registering vestibular and proprioceptive input as I had suspected. However, he was playing so well and with purpose while we were there that I was having my doubts as to whether or not she would recommend we even come back.
I told her not only my concerns about his needs and behavior, but also the worry that in the hour a week that she sees him, that he will be “normal” and she will just discharge him and I will be back where we started. She said, however, that based on my observations and input about him, she feels he will benefit not only from the intensive sensory input he can get through the weekly sessions, but also from the time away from Nate (AKA attention hog). I also think it will be good for me to be able to talk to her about my concerns for him, and well as progress he makes. Read the rest of this entry »
…there’s a way. Last night, as I was laying in bed, it dawned on me how I can pay for therapy for Ace. If I pay for a few hundred dollars worth up front, I can submit to my FLEX spending and get reimbursed within a week or two. So that way, we’ve got a month or two of therapy paid for, then that gives us time to save up for the next group of sessions. I called back first thing this morning to let them know I want an appointment so we go at 1:30 pm on Thursday.
The therapist called me to set the appointment and I liked her. I gave her the brief version of what we’ve been through so far, and why we stopped seeing the last Occupational Therapist (OT). The last one was good the first visit, but the second visit, she kept saying how Ace seemed “fine” and asking me if I felt he needed the therapy, which made me question myself and feel like I was wasting her time, so we never went back. Read the rest of this entry »
A-M, our Early Intervention (EI) coordinator, emailed me today saying she had shown my videos I sent to her (four different ones of Ace tantruming, ranging from seven months old to last week) to some colleagues and that she had someone who wanted to meet with me. This turned out to be B, who is a Behavioral Specialist.
B called and said she was going out of town tomorrow, and could meet with me right away at our house if I was available. Not wanting to have to wait another week, I said OK and had 1/2 hour to get cleaned up and ready. K (the nanny) was here, so that was a great help — she got the house straightened and watched the boys while I wrapped up some work stuff and then got showered. Read the rest of this entry »
