Brandt has been rapidly catching on with transitioning and cruising over the past month, and it has just been such an amazing time for our family. For a minute, Darrin had me convinced.that maybe I was making Brandt's delay out to be more than it was.
Today, I got a dose of reality. Because Brandt's physical therapist usually works with him at his school, she decided to do a weekend visit so she could show us some techniques for home.
She showed me how Brandt's hands are turned inward when he tries to catch himself from a fall, stating that it was a part of his low muscle tone. She said the way he arches his back when he is trying to reach something above him shows muscle weakness in his arms. She discussed the way that he distributes weight on his feet and the way that he moves his legs when he tries to crawl up something shows his muscle weakness in the trunk and legs. She also pointed out that he tends to be more dominate to his left side, and that he lacks focus necessary to complete a skill or activity. It was all very overwhelming to hear--but I refuse to be one of those parents who are in constant denial. I am willing to except what is--no matter how difficult it is to hear--and I will use that as my fuel to keep pushing for him.
The therapist showed me many exercises on the physioball to help with that core control, and she showed me some activities to help promote using both sides of the body.
During the session, she has mentioned wanting to work with Brandt in the infant classroom where he is currently at, rather than the one-year-old classroom. When I told her that the director was planning to move Brandt over to the one-year-old class withing the next few weeks, she said she didn't think that was a good idea. I was baffled, annoyed, frustrated, confused. After I told her I thought it was for the best because it would give him more room to cruise and pull-up, she made no other mention of it. Still, I wonder why she felt that way. And, how could she say that? She only sees him one day per week for an hour--AND she didn't even know that he was cruising and transitioning from different pieces of furntiure while cruising. Who is she to judge what is appropriate when she does not even know the capabilities of my son?
At the end of therapy, she discussed some of the things that she has noticed where he is delayed and where he is excelling. Some things he can do, one might not think he would be able to do. Other things that he should be able to do based on those skills, he can't. With his motor development being so sporadic and inconsistent, she mentioned many times that she thinks his problems are neurological--which really hit hard considering that the geneticist was leaning that way, as well.
We discussed his delays and my frustrations with feeling that not enough is being done for him. Like, if a developmental delay in speech is what originally qualified him for services, then I feel like he should be receiving speech therapy as well. We have seen a lot of growth in his gross motor development since therapy has been in place, but his speech is at a standstill. The physical therapist agreed and said that she was going to push for speech therapy to be added to his "Family Service Plan." Hopefully, a little push is all it will take to get those services in motion.
So, I guess it is good that we were able to meet today for therapy to rebuild me strength to keep fighting. So, after she left, it was a few deep breaths. Breath in and breath out...
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