Therapists: Precious Gifts Indeed!

                          It was David’s nine month checkup. He was not sitting up on his own. Eating issues were not improving and his pediatrician asked us to bring him back at 10 months so that she could check on his motor skills and development. So, we returned. At 10 months he finally was sitting up on his own. I was still voicing my concerns regarding his eating issues but was waiting for his pediatrician to agree that there was a real issue. Finally, at his one year checkup I asked her if he could be referred to have early intervention therapy. I had friends who had mentioned that their children had therapy for their eating issues and they had made great improvements as a result. I was soooo happy that she agreed! Because he had other delays the thought of Autism was entertained but not seriously discussed at that point. So, on July 3, 2013 we took David to be assessed at Infant Toddler Early Intervention. David was 14 months old.
                             I was actually excited about the fact that we were going to be able to get therapy for David. Although I was excited, I also was so nervous that my gut feelings were right. I really didn’t want to be right. He was observed by a Speech Therapist and an Occupational Therapist as well as the Early Intervention Coordinator. As they observed David and asked us questions about his history and our history I could tell there was more to work on than I had realized. Brian and I had told them that he was just diagnosed with Aspergers and I had a nephew that was on the spectrum as well. Brian has always been very open about having Aspergers which was wonderful. He was happy that we were going to finally be able to help David.  After they observed David for a good hour they went over their assessment results.
                                  His Occupational Therapist went over her observations and assessed David as being at 6 months for Atypical Feeding, 11 months Cognitive, 11 months gross motor and 11 months fine motor skills. That actually didn’t surprise me or upset me that much because that is where I thought he was in those areas. I wasn’t thrilled at the 6 month range for eating but it didn’t surprise me at all. But when I heard where his Speech Therapist assessed him to be at I got a lump in my throat. He was assessed at being at 6 months in both receptive and expressive language......almost a full year behind. I knew he was delayed but I didn’t realize how delayed he was emotionally and verbally and my heart just sank. I knew that he wasn’t waiving "bye bye" and he was not mimicking me at all. I think I just entered a temporary denial that his speech was delayed as significantly as it was. Whenever the thought had crossed my mind I would just try to put it in the back of my head. There is one thing thinking it on your own and another thing when someone confirms it and you hear the words out loud. I remember sitting there and trying not to cry. It was pretty tough to hear. To some this may not seem like a big deal but to me it was. I wanted my son to waive hi and bye bye. I wanted my son to participate in interactive songs and games with me. I wanted to see my son clap his hands with me with laughter. I wanted my son to blow kisses. I wanted my son to say "mama". I wanted my son to speak....not just with words but through play and interaction with books and playing with toys. At 14 months old he was not doing anything close to it and my heart just hurt.
                                     I remember coming home that afternoon and reading his IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) over and over again and having a bitter sweet feeling. I was so thankful to the Lord for answering my prayer in providing therapy for David. I knew that once we would start he would make great improvement. The plan documented all of therapist findings as well as the plan that we put together for the best therapy treatment specifically to fit David and his needs.  It also discussed the goals that were set for David to reach improvements by a certain date.  It was very specific with challenging but reachable goals for him. 
                                        As I sat there I just began to pray for David that the Lord would touch him and help him with each step of improvement that he would need to make. I prayed that He would give Brian and me wisdom to know what we needed to do to help David and to teach him those things that he needed to learn. I prayed for his therapists and for his therapy that we would be unified together as a team in doing all that is best for David. I am happy to say that the Lord has answered that prayer. David has amazing therapists that I will love forever! They have been such a huge blessing to us and have been so wonderful with him. When I have had my moments of feeling discouraged and frustrated they have listened to my cries. They have listened with understanding and sweet encouragement! They have made me feel like a wonderful Mommy who is doing her best for her son. They have formed a huge attachment to David and they will always be a part of our lives even when it is time for them to move on. I am truly grateful for both of them. Precious gifts indeed.