So my boy has been diagnosed with Oral Motor Dysfunction. Basically means he is not using his mouth properly. And in his case the biggest problem is with his speech. Which is great because this is more commonly diagnosed along with failure to thrive. But the linebacker does not have any issues with thriving.
I just talked to his intake person who will assign his case to a case worker who will then contact me for an inhome visit where we will set up the next visit that will be his evaluation.
I have to admit that I am a little weirded out.
I KNOW that this is a good thing. D is very frustrated by his inability to communicate and while I think he would most likely work through this on his own, I also wonder why I would make him do that if he can get help.
And then there's the identification of special needs. And please please please don't attack me on this. I just worry that early intervention might pigeon hole him somewhere that I don't want him to be.
Either way I am excited to learn what they can offer a two year old in terms of helping him control his mouth for eating and speaking. And he's so eager to be talking that I am sure he will appreciate the help.
Parenting is such a wonder.
Like I wonder what the hell I am doing...
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3 comments:
My son had similar issues, joined EI at age 2 and went through scads of therapy.
At almost 7 now, you would never, ever know that he had any issues whatsoever.
I know exactly what you mean! Our CutiePie (6 years old) is currently being "diagnosed" with a few different things. None of them are tragic or terrible or involve life-altering surgery or therapy. But, still...... It's hard. It's not what we planned or hoped or dreamed. I try to remember that it could be so much worse and that by finding these things out now, we're ensuring that the rest of his life will be easier and better.
You're doing great and you're doing the right things. Keep up the good work.
The early intervention diagnoses are a double edged sword. (Especially the ones that didn't exist when we were growing up.) As you so rightly wrote, on the one hand, you know if it helps your child become less frustrated, bring it on. And on the other, there's everything from guilt (am I taking resources from people who need them more?) to guilt (will this tag my child for life as one with problems?) to guilt (should tax money really be used for this?) to guilt (if it weren't free and I didn't choose to pay for it would I be a bad parent?). Oh, wait, maybe that's just me.
But fear not...especially with the kinds of things your baby is diagnosed with, the "tag" will often fall away by the time he's in school. And it'll be much easier for him to learn the right ways to use the muscles now so that when they catch up with him, he'll know just what to do.
Thanks for another interesting & honest post.
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