Chase is doing fantastic with his physical therapy. In fact, when we walked into the session last week, Ms. Jenn honestly couldn't tell which side the torticollis was on! She had to ask! If the therapist couldn't tell, then it marked a major victory in the battle we've been facing for the past 1.5 years! In fact, we are going back at the end of the month for one more visit. If Chase is still holding his head in the middle at that time, we will most likely stop the physical therapy!!!! (He will probably always have a slight tilt, but it isn't enough to be noticed!) And, from the looks of it, we're going to get one kid out of therapy just in time to start a second....
I haven't mentioned it before now, but Cole has been recently diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, most likely Asperger's Syndrome. His struggle with it over the past several years is now taking a toll on him at preschool. Though he is extremely bright, he has a very hard time focusing enough to complete his work. And, some days he refuses to do his work at all. I could go on and on with the list of signs and symptoms that pointed us to the psychiatrist's office for this diagnosis. (And, it was probably a trip we should have made before now. Chalking his behavior up to just being "quirky" just wasn't going to cut it any longer.) At any rate, our main objective in seeking a diagnosis was to help him with school. If he is struggling this much in preschool, how in the world will he make it through Kindergarten?
We have been referred to The Joshua Center for counseling. Cole's counselor, Mike, is fantastic and Cole has really seemed to bond with him, even after just a couple of sessions. We are hopeful that Mike will help us learn to deal with the "quirks" at home and at school. We love the belief of the Joshua Center:
We believe it takes a village to raise these children – the doctor, counselor, teacher and families working together to make it possible for these children to succeed.
And, we are hopeful that Mike will help us work with the school district as we prepare for Kindergarten next year. I truly believe that Cole will need some sort of one-on-one help in order for him to get his work completed. And, although I hesitated at first with putting the "special needs" label on him at school, I realized, after much reflection, that it is the only way we can ensure his success in the classroom. (It seems so ironic that a child who is as intelligent as Cole would need such a label. But, we're willing to do whatever it takes to see him suceeed.)
On top of that, poor Cole also has a hernia and hydrocele now. He is scheduled for surgery next week. And, we're dreading the surgery for so many reasons, beyond just the normal surgery risks. Just imagine....our kid, who clearly has sensory issues. You know, the one who cries becuase something doesn't smell right to him . The one who skinned his knees last summer and wouldn't walk for over a week and, instead, chose to wet his pants several times a day day rather than walk to the bathroom.... And, while the doctor assured me that he won't be in much pain after surgery because of the topical anethistic, it wasn't that reassuring to me. What he doesn't know is that I am more concerned with: (a) physically getting Cole to the operating room and the anxiety and drama that will ensue, and (b) the days following the surgery! The kid does not handle pain well (or AT ALL really!)
Wish us luck....
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