Thursday, May 1, 2008

Ahh Our Day Has Come To An End

The day is finally over! It was a VERY long and trying day for all of us. Running from one place to another, to another is never much fun.

Zoe had a good day at school. BUT all day long, every time she ate something she complained of her throat hurting. I just looked in it and it doesn't look so good. Guess she won't be going to school tomorrow and she will be joining Zach and I at his Drs appointment. Poor little girl :-(

Zach handled his day rather well. It was a very busy day full of learning new things.

First stop was our visit with Ms. Kristin - He likes her much better now. Today's session was an half hour of fun play time. Zach loves balls but when Ms Kristin tried to get him in the ball pit he flipped out - guess he likes looking better then being in with them. Next Ms Kristin tried to cover him with a mesh like swing thing OH BOY -- he HATED it - walked away from her so fast, but when she put a big ball in it he liked to push it with his head. They also played in some sand (Zach doesn't like to get dirty) he was so careful picking the toys out of the sandbox. He had some good things happen like when Ms Kristin told him the sheep say "baaaa" and Zach responded with a flat "ba" He told her a couple different times then when he showed me the sheep and I asked what it said he responded with a "ba" as if he was saying "duh, Mom, haven't you been listening?!?" He also responded "B" to a bean and "Da" to a duck - after Ms. Kristin told him of course. We are going to be working on him getting the H sound out and M sound as well until we see Kristin next week. Poor little Zach was so tired when all was said and done with ST. We had to rush over to Zoe's school and once we got her I stopped at Wendy's so he could eat on his way home - I figured that way I could get him down for some type of nap before it was time for OT.

I felt so bad - I had to wake a very tired child to get out the door for his next stop -- OT with Ms Jerry-Anne. We only had an half hour session with her today. We learned how to brush Zach and do joint compressions when the brushing is done. He will be brushed every 2 hours that he is awake for a minimum of 6 weeks. This is to stimulate his sensory nerve endings in his arms, hand, legs, feet, and back. It should help him calm down and be able to focus better. We'll see where this ends up. So far I've had to do it twice since therapy and he HATES it!!! I think he will get used to it when it becomes more routine. He did a lot of heavy play and some puzzles for focus work. He seems to take rather well to Ms. Jerry-Anne. Until next week we need to be doing the brushing and joint compression (of course) but we are also to put him down with his hands first instead of sitting him on his feet or bottom. This is to build his arm strength because he has such poor muscle tone. Jerry-Anne had written in her evaluation of Zach that she believe he had mild to moderate SPD, but after seeing him have some issues today she said she thinks she was wrong and that he really is more on the side of moderate to sever with his SPD. We are doing the right thing by doing therapy and she seems like just the right person to help Zachary. Next Tuesday we go for a full hour session. I can't wait to see his progress threw all of this!

Next step was to get Zoe to dance. Zach was in heaven - his little girlfriend was there and he was so happy to see her. The girls got their costumes so we had to help dress them. Heaven ended here... he didn't like being around all of the kids and adults - so he shut down, just stood there looking at the floor. One Mom, who he loves, Kim came over and scooped him right up. He held onto her for dear life, would not look at her, but kept his head on her shoulder and you could tell he had found some peace.

We then went for my peace at the gym - I had a GREAT work out with my wonderful trainer Jessica. Poor Zach was still having a rough go of things - mostly I think he was just so overtired from everything today, different schedule, not taking his regular naps. So he of course had to stay in Ms. Sheila's arms. It was good he was with someone he is comfortable with and trusts. She has been wonderful for him.

When we got home he had another brushing session and still hated it. He will get used to it, he just has to. Then went right to bed - he'll sleep like a baby for sure after his very long day.

Tomorrow is another day, I can't wait to see what it brings us - things are really looking up!

4 comments:

KoriG said...

Wow! What a day!
So glad he did so well in therapies today!
I know the brushing is SOOO time consuming. But he'll get used to it and it's amazing how well it works!
Hope Zoe feels better soon! Poor kid!
(((HUGS)))

Mom Of 3 said...

I hope Zoe is feeling better. We also have to do thejoint compressions, and brusing with Garrett, we also lay him flat on his belly and roll a ball all over his back side, this is really calming for him. I find that when he is having a hard time, I cna lay him down and run the ball over his back side and he is instantly calmed. I know it is alot to process right now, but you are doing a great job. Feel free to email me anytime you need a friend or a shoulder. I can relate to the SPD issues. I hope you have a great day!

dramaqueen8100 said...

Sophie, so much of what you described sounds just like Cosette! We had to do the brushing/compressions too and like Zach, Cosette hated it! Our OT recommended "brushing" with our hands to start and then work up to using the brush, maybe that would work for Zach. Something to ask about anyway. I honestly could have written exactly what you did about the ball pit, swing, and sandbox. After a few weeks it got much better for Cosette, hopefully it will be the same for Zach!

dramaqueen8100 said...

Sophie, Zach sounds so much like Cosette! We had/have to do compressions and brushing with her also. Her OT suggested "brushing" with our hands at first to get her used to the idea before introducing the brush, maybe that would work for Zach. Something to think about anyway. The stuff about the ballpit, swing, and sandbox sounded exactly like our first weeks at therapy too. Things will get better soon!
Melissa