Trevor had his second speech session at the school. It was reported that there was already improvement from the first day of speech, but he was most definitely scared... shaking in my arms as he reached for the door just before I was leaving. I came back in ½ hour and he hadn’t participated in any “play” but he only cried for a few minutes = the improvement. When I entered the room, he was “hiding” his face “in” a cabinet…just peeking out the corner of his eyes to be sure he wasn’t missing anything too fun. The SLP told me a few “break in” iPad apps she uses… he thoroughly enjoyed the talking puppy one we played all weekend. You can pet him, of course he burps – always makes kids laugh- and when you talk he will repeat what you said. It was pretty evident that we as parents can understand him better than the puppy… Other then “hello” –which was clear- whatever the puppy would repeat sounded just like Trevor – proving that they aren’t “really” words yet and you need to interpret them. So, we will see what Wednesday’s session brings and if he wants to play “puppy” with them.
Then Mommy and Trevor went to his “well-child” visit Friday afternoon. It didn’t go “well.” He was extremely nervous that I was going to leave him again. Glued to me in the waiting room for 20mins…He didn’t cry until we went back to be weighed and measured and I had to let him down. He didn’t want a sticker…nothing. We went to the exam room and he did his blood pressure check REALLY well while sitting on my lap! After the nurse left and in between the doctor coming in --about 15mins… he had calmed down and I continued to assure him I wasn’t leaving--it was probably a plus that they were running behind. So he started lining up blocks as he does at home often. As the pediatrician entered he asked if there were any concerns from me? And I brought up the apraxia... Trevor continued to play with blocks throughout the visit until he was “checked over” by the doctor. He “categorized” them a few different ways…there was probably 30 blocks…separating (lining them up) them into big and small…and by colors. I was pretty proud of him. The doctor seemed a bit nervous about it. Do 3 year olds not do that? After the discussions the doctor stepped out and Trevor “got ready” to be checked out. He did extremely well! So proud of him, letting the doctor move his legs around, look into orifices, etc…
After the examination and his skimming of the SLP's notes, the pediatrician suggested we bring Trevor to a psychologist to get evaluated for Autism. That “A” word is mentioned throughout the apraxia blogs and other websites I have been discovering. I am not going to lie…it has been there in the back of my mind since we started this process, but he is so cuddly – on his terms though, and only to a select few? So, is that why?... I had always “ruled it out” because he loves to be “arry ou” –held (Carry You). Sometimes he loves to be rocked, but he usually wants to be close to you anyways –sitting together, lying in bed… His social skills are not adequate, but apraxia’s reasonings seemed to fit Trevor quite well.
Of course the next “opening” for a psychologist’s review is in 2 months. Jan 2nd…we are on a waiting list…just wonderful that I can dwell on it longer. But really what would we change right now anyway. Trevor still needs to warm up to his new SLP and get aquainted…and he still needs to work on speech skills. So eventually we may need to increase therapy and introduce different types, but for now it is all about adjusting…mom, dad, and Trevor.
Either way we are still going to advocate for the best services we can find for Trevor…if it means more “running around,” then that is what we will do – together! Most importantly I want him to be that “child” and not miss out on that, but of course there is the feeling of despair trying to help him avoid the blemishes that come with growing up under any diagnoses. It is truly tear-jerking and all the more reasons for an increase of commotions in our lives.
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