OT Visit

We've just got back from Ms. D's OT visit. I'm a bit shaky, a bit emotional without really being able to  pin point why.

Ms. D had all sorts of tests. Of course, they didn't seem like tests. They seemed like games. The ones she wasn't so hot in had to do with balance and coordination. She can't really do jumping jacks or any cross coordination type things very well. Very difficult. Balance is an issue. The OT, Marissa, was very thorough I felt. She asked a lot of questions about Ms. D's original issues with walking/crawling and so forth. Did you know how important that whole crawling thing is for babies? It teaches patterns in the brain. Patterns they need later. Marissa was surprised that our PT that helped Ms. D with her walking issues didn't go back and really try to teach Ms D those patterns before teaching her to walk. You know, that really goes to show a person really really needs to research. We were just thrilled at the time that Ms. D was walking! Who knew there was more to it? I feel like we should of. Ah, the parental "blame game". At any rate, Marissa also explained to us how the eyes and  motor skills work together. I asked once again why this type of thing wasn't "caught" before. Marissa explained that the whole developmental optometry in connection with motor skills thingy (Marissa doesn't say "thingy", but I do) is rather a newer study and the surface is only just being scratched. 

I knew that Ms. D was behind physically. I knew she had some sensory issues. But really, they weren't getting in the way of her life to any large extent. So she doesn't ride a bike yet. Someday. So she isn't as active as other kids. It would come. She's just behind. As long as I saw some progress I was okay. And I always saw progress. Not every kid has to be at "grade level" or "developmental level", right? Her life wouldn't be ruined, right? And, while I figured it was a separate issue, the reading aspect concerned me, but her vision was 20/20 and reading has nothing to do with physical issues. I would continue to find ways of working with her and keeping her progress in a forward motion. But there was a inner sense of bafflement. Was I doing enough? It appeared so. The doctor's thought so.

And then I figured out quite by chance that the two issues were very likely connected. Do you know how close I came to NOT figuring that out?? I would've NEVER have figured out Ms. D's convergence insufficiency issue if it wasn't for the online forum I visit. In particular when someone posted their fear with their childs reading. I happened to read it. Someone else happened to post, and it happened to make me think and act. And now we possibly have an answer to Ms. D's reading issues. And even if she never eats up books like a crazy person we will know we've done what we can.

In addition, on another homeschooling forum I entered the Special Needs section. I never go there, and, feeling silly because these parents are dealing with HUGE issues in their children, I posted Ms. D's convergence insufficiency issues. And got some incredible advice. Helpful suggestions. And great information. I happened to add some information about Ms. D's early proprioception/Sensory Integration issues. Someone happened to reply that I should look into that further and what to look for. In particular an OT who specializes in Sensory Processing Disorder. They didn't have to post that extra information. But they did.

And I think this is were I get emotional. I almost didn't figure this out. I didn't realize how badly I needed to figure out what was really wrong. I thought we'd just never really have an answer...that it would always be vague. That we'd done what we could. We just compensated. Now I realize we don't need to just compensate. We can help her. And I'm really, really, happy. And really, really, thankful. I'm happy that even if she never LOVES reading, she'll have a chance to get those eyes corrected. And even if she never really LOVES to ride a bike, she's going to actually be able to do it some day. She's got the options now. She can take them if she wants.

So how many kids are walking around without options? I'm told by several specialists that it is highly unlikely a public school situation would've caught the convergence insufficiency. She would've just had reading problems. Learning disabilities. Or she would just be lazy. Or not trying hard enough. Not concentrating. I'm also told today by the OT that if Ms. D's problems hadn't been diagnosed this early it is unlikely a lot of help could be given. (Her opinion) So what if I hadn't asked questions? What if Ms. D just thought she was clumsy? Or uncoordinated? Or just not good at physical stuff? Yes, I know, people walk through life just like that all the time and they are fine.  Aren't they? What if they didn't have to walk through life like that? What if they got answers, too? And, I think, this is where I get a bit emotional, too. What if's.

Comments

[Lizabeth]

Wow, good story, and great connections that are getting made. I'm really glad you're finding out what you need to know, and I agree that a lot of kids with these kinds of issues don't get help, or the right kind of help. Most parents don't know what's happening, I think.

If you haven't looked into it already, you might check out BrainGym. It's a way of integrating the right and left sides of the brain with simple exercises. I used to do it with my class, and it seemed to help all the kids focus better, but it seems like it could be really helpful for Ms. D.

GOOD LUCK! And good job getting all the answers you've already gotten.

[Denise]

Life is a 'what if', isn't it? Thousands if not millions of possibilities for every action, every reaction. Don't second guess yourself. You DID look around, you DID think about it, you DID bring those things together and found out the issue, and you ARE working to help her. Kudos to you, mama. And good for her. :) She's lucky she has such a great mom on her side.

[Mommylion]

My sister had some of the left/right brain issues. I remember my dad making her crawl everyday. (She was 6 at the time and hated it.) She did have major problems for awhile and couldn't ever kick a ball as a little one. It was like she couldn't figure out which foot to use. She's fine now. :)

What ifs. They are not fun. I think we all have our doses of them. You are doing a good job with your girl.

[Denise]

So my comment did go through even though the server kept serving me up a blank page with errors saying too busy, dropped connection, try again later, not working whenever I clicked 'post'. AUGH! That is good though! ;)

[Auntie J]

Wow. I am very happy for you all. Just took a quick look and don't have a lot of time as usual, but I am very happy for YOU. May call you soon. How is pioing going? Later

[Maria]

Hmmm. What is going on with typepad that I have to constantly type in my info...and that Denise was having problems too...meanwhile, thanks to all for their encouragment on this post and a thanks to Auntie J, first time family commenter! I feel ever so validated!!!