J Update by Rachel

Well we are finally coming off of a 3 week family cold fest. J started off with a double ear infection and a sore throat. Then JL and I got something with congestion, cough and fever. We are finally all on the mend!

J didn't have any supplements for at least a week. It made for a rough few weeks with him just feeling awful from being sick and not having any supplements. Plus, he was on a antibiotics (I did give him probiotics to counteract it but that was it).

We made an appt with a new DAN! Dr. Mumper in Lynchburg, VA. I cancelled the appt with Dr. Compain in NY b/c of weather 3 times. Obviously, it was just not meant to be. I need a DAN! on our team though. I just don't have the knowledge or confidence to do this on my own.

We go on March 10th for a meeting about public Kindergarten next year. We didn't get into the school I really wanted for private K for him (they are filled). There are 2 that I need to follow-up with (TFT and COA) and see if they are a fit. The good news is that his preschool might be having a camp this summer - which would be great so I could work. Also, he wouldn't have to go somewhere he didn't know for camp. This would be their first time holding a camp so they are still working out the kinks.

Kindergarten right now is a priority since I need to have that ironed out. If he goes to K from 9-3 I can take on a new position at work. I am not sure how we feel about sending him to public K vs. private K. Private K is expensive but it will be full day plus he then can start public school in either Kindergarten again or 1st grade. Most importantly, Private K will mean he will get the same therapies through the county for an extra year. Public K means he will not get the services he gets now and there are no backsies with public K (he could repeat it but I would rather him not).

5 years old is right around the corner for J. I can't believe he such a big boy. It makes me sad. First of all, I thought we would have recovered him by now when he got his dx at 3. Secondly, I thought we would have another child - a sibling for J. Plus, the developmental difference between a NT 5 yr old and J is pretty visible now. At 3 and even 4 there is such a wide range of developments that you could squeak by without really noticing. Now, the kids are getting older and it's more obvious to their peers that there is a difference.

I heard this quote the other day:

"For good or bad everything is always changing".

So true.

Turning 5 is stressing me out! by Kirsten

So, JC will be turning 5 in a few months. I can't believe it! I feel like he is still my baby. My husband told me (in a nice way) this morning that I need to stop babying him, but I can't! I think that is just how I am...I will probably be one of those moms cutting up food for my kids when they are 20:)

With turning 5 comes some schooling decisions. Here is the potential dilemma. We want him to stay in his current school (which is a typical preschool/daycare). They have a full-time private K program. Ideally, he would go to their K program & then we would possibly send him to K again the following year. We really do think that he needs that 'growth' year in there. Of course with the hopes that one more year will get him closer to his peers socially.

The problems are:
1. He is extremely 'smart' - not that this is a problem in itself, but he already knows all of the academics for K (and for 1st & 2nd grade, for that matter).

2. It is still up in the air about whether the IU will be providing private K services next year. Apparently this is a new proposal (to stop the IU from providing) & it is not decided yet. I think that this is a state thing.

3. We can't really afford it.

We took JC for the private speech eval. I haven't gotten the written report yet, but it appears that he does NOT have any speech delay. For some areas he tested older than his age & others he was on target. And this was with him purposely giving wrong answers or saying "I don't know" when he really did know (this is one of his 'things' that he does). However, the SLP did suggest she thought he had major focus and attending issues. ADHD here we come???


She also suggested the growth year for JC & made a great point that academics can always be supplemented, but a social skills deficit is harder to handle. She said that it starts to become more apparent from 3rd-5th grade than it would earlier. Giving him that extra year would at least give him a fighting chance.

Otherwise, the updates aren't huge here....just plugging away. I am looking into some new supps & more tests. Got on the waiting list for the GI doc in Boston. He is my greatest hope in the constipation battle right now!

I agree!

I have to make a separate post here instead of ditto-ing Rachel in a comment:) Sue DOES Rock!!! Can I be her when I grow up? Sue, you are one of the smartest, strongest, most amazing women I have ever known. I so admire your dedication to your kids & your drive to heal them. I just know you will. I feel that in my bones. My one wish for you is to make sure you take care of YOU also. I know that it total Oprah-style goofy talk, but it's true. You are amazing...now go get a pedicure:):):) Love ya!

Sue Rocks!

Sue gave a presentation on Nutrition and Leaky Gut last night for a local Autism Support group we all belong too. It was awesome! She is a true example of what a motivated mother/woman can do to change the hand she is dealt with in life. I am so proud to know her and to have her as my friend. I felt like she was a rockstar up there last night and I was a groupie :)

Way to represent the mother-warriors!