Michael Update

Michael had his cyst removed.  For a while, he had this little lump that we were told could be this big long word.  It was removed about a week ago and we are on our way to his chin healing.  After the surgery was complete, the doctor said that it wasn't what he thought it was, but that it was either a cyst or a lymph node (i didn't know that you had lymph nodes in your chin).  We go for a follow up in about a week and a half and will find out the biopsy of the cyst.

In a week and a half we are also taking Michael for his developmental evaluation.  I have been really concerned about his lack of meeting certain milestones or his lack of communicating.  According to his preschool teachers, he is progressing, but not as fast as they would like to see.  He has been in a a 5 hour preschool program for a year now and is still not really able to talk to us about his day.  Luckily his teacher sends home a little check off on the things that happen during the day so that I can ask him about it.  With lots of prodding he is able to maybe at least acknowledge that he has down certain things at school.  Unlike his younger brother (by 10 1/2 months), Michael can not really communicate about his day even with simple cuing.  I have noticed though, that he is improving over that last couple of weeks.  Before, when you asked him who his teacher was, he would say teacher, now he can say her name and then just this morning, I asked him who was in his class and he actually named the kids without a lot of prodding.  He still likes to play alone and doesn't really even play along side other kids.  His imaginary play is starting, but is still pretty limited.

The one area that he actually excels in is music.  He loves music and can sing many songs.  He was able to sing songs before he could really say a whole lot.  I love listening and watching him sing.  His whole face lights up and you really now that he loves music.

One thing that I do think has helped is his diet.  He has shown to be sensitive to  gluten and dairy.  ever since we have removed these or at least lessened them greatly in his diet, he has been improving.  He is more aware and more vocal.  He sleeps better and doesn't seem to have the skin issue that he was having, especially when he was eating and drinking dairy.

I am looking forward to his developmental evaluation.  Part of me says that he doesn't need it, but another part of me says don't be stupid.  He is four years old and he should be communicating more than he is and he should be playing more with others or at least along side others rather than always wanting to play by himself.  He does well with his brother and sister, but really needs to start playing with other kids.

One other major area that he has greatly improved in is in his behavior.  His impulsivity is much improved.  Before, if you reprimanded him, he would throw something.  Usually this was regarding asking him to put soothing down.  Instead of putting it down, he would throw it and sometimes it was something very fragile.  I do think that you need to talk to him in a certain way, but he is so much better.

I can't wait to either find out that there is no real issue and we don't need to worry, or find out that there is an issue and then we work on helping him with whatever issue he has.  I really just need to know where to go with him and know if I am worrying needlessly or if my instincts were right and I need to do more!

Amy

Pre-School Parent/Teacher Conference

We had Michael's first parent/teacher conference about 2 weeks ago and for the most part it was all good.  Behavior wise, Michael is doing excellent.  Given his fairly severe speech delay, his frustration level is at a pretty good level, but speaking of his speech, he is definitely delayed and I don't know why.  I think the only thing that bothered me about the conference is that when we asked the teacher about about fears of autism, the only thing she could say was that she didn't feel that he was on the spectrum given his ability to be comfortable sitting in her lap and being affectionate.  That was a good sign, but the fact that teachers are not allowed to give their opinion about testing because it may cause issues with parents really frustrates me.  I mean, these are professionals, who in our case, spend 5 hours a day 5 days a week with my son.  I am not frustrated with the teacher, but the system.  Michael's teacher is wonderful.  She is sweet and kind and motherly and I feel very comfortable with her as his teacher.  I just wish I could get a sense if we need to do more.

I have a feeling that going gluten and dairy free is a really good step.  I hate that we have to do this and we were really bad over the holiday, but we are now back on track and no gluten or dairy for Michael (so to be me too).  I really do think that it makes a difference!  It sucks, but I do think it helps!  The other issue that got brought up at the conference (by his teacher), is wether or not to get Michael tested for diabetes.  I am hoping that this isn't an issue.  Michael seems to drink a ton and then pees a ton to the point of having multiple accidents.  It kinds of makes sense that if he drinks a lot then he will pee a lot, but it is the drinking of fluids that makes me wonder, though I have to say, sometimes limit setting helps and his accidents are getting better.  He has even slept with underwear on for the last 2 nights and the first night woke twice to pee, and then last night didn't soak himself.  Maybe going gluten free and dairy free will really help with just more than digestive issues!

The twins are being evaluated for further needs in the school system.  They are going to be 3 in just under 2 months.  I can't believe that I have an almost 4 year old and almost 3 year old twins.  Eva Rose has been in early intervention since the beginning of the fall for a speech delay and has improved immensely (which is another reason I am increasingly concerned with Michael's delay).  She went from barely putting 2 words together and dropping the endings of words  to the point of not understanding what she is saying, to still dropping the endings of words but putting more than 2 words together.  There are still often times that I don't understand her and at 3 I probably should understand almost everything that is said. Thomas just amazes me with his vocabulary! That being said, when I look at friends kids I can't help but compare and still think my kids are behind, but maybe not. Then there are those people in your life who try to tell you that your kids are very behind and that they should be doing certain things, but in reality maybe those people are over estimating kids development.

It will be interesting to see how the kids further develop. Will Michael all of a sudden come out and just start talking? Is there more to his delay? Do Thomas and Eva Rose need more help with their expressive and receptive communication? Only time will tell and will see how things go!

Amy