Another Opportunity To Share Coltons Story
I was approached with another opportunity this past week to share our experience with Skip Dynamic Partners Birth To Three program and I gladly accepted. I just thought I would share what was written with you all. Albeit it isn't anything new. I'm just so happy to share Coltons progress with anyone and everyone. It will always be a journey but being able to focus on the positive aspects and joys of it mean so much to me. Enjoy!
I first noticed something was different about my son Colton when he was
very little. I brushed a lot of it aside just telling myself I was
probably overreacting. He hit all of his milestones so I figured
everything was okay. When he was fourteen months old he started
whispering and by fifteen months he stopped talking completely. We began
to worry and expressed our fears at his eighteen month checkup. Our
doctor suggested waiting until he was two before we really investigated
this. It was during this wait time I watch many other strange things
begin to manifest in my son. After doing a lot of research on my own I
began to believe he was autistic. At his two year checkup in June I
insisted my doctor refer us to Children's Autism Center in Seattle. We
had our appointment there in August and they referred us to get his
tested for developmental delay and autism. We scheduled an evaluation
with Skip Dynamic Partners Birth to Three program for that September. It
was at this appointment my son was classified as developmentally
delayed. It was of course difficult to receive but we were just happy to
be able to start helping him. A month later we had him tested at a
center in Federal Way and he was diagnosed as autistic level two. We
began therapies with Skip in October starting with OT therapy. My son
has really bonded with his OT and we have watched so much growth and
development come from it. By the beginning of November he was saying
"Mama" and a few other words. It was at this time we also added on
Speech therapy. It is now March and I'm happy to report that my son has
grown from a child who was afraid of many sounds and other children, who
couldn't talk at all to now a child who is responsive to others and
becoming very talkative. We couldn't be happier. I'm sad our time is
growing short with Skip, they have truly been a godsend to us. If you
are interested in knowing more I highly suggest reading my blog at coltonsmama2011.blogspot.com.
I am proud of what my son has accomplished and I have so much hope for
his future. We owe a lot to the therapists at Skip, they will always
have a special place in our hearts.
In Closing
As always thank you for reading and for your continued support. I'm so proud of my son. Some days can be especially tough but I wouldn't change him "cure" him for the world. I embrace my sons autism. Without it he wouldn't be who he is. I continue to learn so much from him and others in the autism community. I have to admit I'm pleasantly surprised at how well we all support each other. The strongest women I have ever met I have met while on this journey and I am proud to be among them.
The Trick Is To Keep Breathing
It again has been too long without an update. Life just goes by so fast and there is always to much to be done and never enough time to do them all. While there isn't a whole lot new to report there are a few updates worth mentioning. Beginning with our appointment with our DDD case manager.
At the beginning of this month we went forward with our application for our states Basic Health Waiver through DDD. We had a 3 hour appointment/assessment with our case manager. We of course knew this process would be a long shot but it is my belief that it would be a waste if we didn't try and apply for everything out there. Today I received a letter in the mail informing us that we were being denied the waiver. Our sons name will still go into the state database and maybe someday when funds are available we will have another shot. We can still appeal this decision but acknowledging the lack of state funding we know that too may be in vain.
A update on our insurance proves to still be tiring. They have continued to successfully avoid sending out actual documentation of a denial meaning we have no evidence to sue or appeal with. Our case manager through Aetna seems to have disappeared as well, I cannot seem to catch her. Well such is life, I'd like to step away from the negative for now and look at the positives.
While our time with "Birth To Three" is growing short we continue to observe much progress with our son. While he still cannot seem to manage two words at a time his one word vocabulary is exploding. Our son has such a desire to absorb everything. He has such a craving for education. I have no doubt this will prove to be a major strength for him. He continues to be obsessed with numbers and letters to the point where he now sees a word and spells it out letter for letter. It may prove fruitful to start trying to teach him to read. I truly believe the capacity is there. He is also very interested in his communication board and the PECS method. I continue to try and learn as much sign language as I can since even though he is unable to use signs due to his lack of fine motor skills he does learn them and I am able to use them as extra assistance when talking to him.
I am still having a heard time getting past the loneliness I have felt over the past couple of years. I thought by now I would be making "mommy friends" and setting up playdates for my son. This still may become easier once we are in developmental preschool and I am able to be surrounded by those in similar situations. It's not that I would be against friendship or playdates with typical children and families it's just that the opportunities don't present themselves. That with the major involvement with therapy sessions and the fact that I still have to try and make as much money working two days a week as I can to keep us afloat. It all doesn't leave me much time either. Well enough of the pity party I do have a wonderful son who continues to fill my life with so much joy. I've never learned or loved so much in my life and for that I am truly thankful.
In closing I would like to again as always thank you for reading this, for supporting us, for supporting Colton. We will never stop fighting. Not only for our son but for autism awareness, for all of our children who deserve everything the world and life has to offer.
It's Been Awhile
I feel bad that it has been awhile since I've "blogged" or given an update however I have a lot of news. Most of it pretty positive!
More Talking
I am so happy to report that Colton now says "Mama" and "Dada" plus a few more things. Cutting my hours down to just weekends and getting more active therapy has really been working. I've seen so much positive changes in the last month alone and it makes me so happy. To hear my son say "Mama" made me the happiest woman in the world. I truly wanted to throw a parade. Something so many take for granted really made my day. In fact it has been the best thing so far in my life other than the day he was born. It is also awesome to note that we now have a speech therapist on board and she seems to really understand our son well. This makes me happy, we have been so blessed to have every therapist be a wonderful one.
Neurology Appointment
We still are on a waiting list for this but it looks like it won't be much longer. Looking like sometime in late January and while I am nervous about it I would like to try and stay positive and hope that maybe there could be a few answers to things we have been questioning albeit even if they aren't we can at least rule some things out.
Case Manager For Insurance
After the guidance from an amazing woman who works for WAAA (which I have mentioned previously) I demanded that we get assigned a case manager for our son and after much "badgering" we finally have one. She seems to really want to find out everything she can for our son and us. I'm so blessed to continually have so many wonderful and well informed people come into my life. Although we are surely going to have issues with our insurance we at least have found someone willing to go the extra mile for us and for that I am grateful.
Some Bitter Things
As with everything in life with the good comes the bad. We are finding out more and more how much Colton is struggling with fine motor skills. It is causing him a lot of frustration which results in more violent meltdown type tantrums. Potty training still seems to be something for the much distant future although we will continue to encourage him but not push it too much. I think that Colton is starting to realize that he can't do several things other children his age can and that hurts me. I feel so much for my child and watching him struggle is hard. I can see how much he wants to ride a trike, to open a door, to color and throw balls like other children his age. He truly is my hero though, he always tries and when he fails even though he has meltdowns often he continues to push himself. Just this last month he began to "scoop and pour", which is something he was really having a hard time with. He has so much drive and motivation, I am such a proud Mama.
Bright Future
Colton is making so much progress and I truly believe he will accomplish a lot in his life. He is so brilliant and to live in his world must be incredible. I'm just happy he lets me in it sometimes. The way he sees the world and the patterns he creates are so fascinating and beautiful. I will just continue to advocate for him and be the best I can be for him. I know some who see me in everyday life may see a very tired woman and in truth I am but don't think for a second I am not always trying to be a "Super Mom", I'm just also human. Colton makes everyday worth living, every battle worth fighting. No one makes me smile like he does and I have no doubt he will bring many people happiness. I am so proud of the progress he is making and will continue to make. Thank you all as always for reading this and your continued support.
Some Good Information And Worth A Smile
I have of course spent countless hours researching about Autism and signs,effects etc. etc. I have stumbled upon all kinds of information. Some scary and almost "fanatical" ,others very helpful and even worth a few smiles. I thought I would share some today. Enjoy!
I would also like to mention I recently read an ebook by Alan Yau called "Autism-A Practical Guide For Parents".
It is geared towards parents but anyone who is involved in an autistic childs life could benefit from it. It's free so check it out. http://autismsparks.com/
