The more I Google, the more I find that this condition isn't generally treated before age 3. (Sweety's only about 15 months now) If that's the case with us, I'm wondering how he'll be able to to do normal toddler things, in a body the size of a 5 month old. How will he ever learn to ride a trike or swing or even wash his hands?
I realize it's too early to fret about that, but what can I say, I fully absorbed the worry gene my mother passed to me. I like to come at things with a plan. I'm not much for the "throw it in the air and see how it all lands" approach.
In the meantime, here's some of the areas where Sweety is progressing nicely:
Sweety's first spoken word (besides mama and dada) came a few months ago. Interestingly enough it's the same as Smarty's first spoken word, 'more.' Perhaps that's a hint. I never considered myself to be a stingy parent, but the paranoia is setting in. :)
Sweety's walking is really coming along these days. That's one area where he's driven to practice. He confidently takes 3 or 4 steps unassisted. He's even been known to attempt the full length of a room! (He hasn't quite made it that far yet) In spite of this, (or maybe in lous of this) he still refuses to crawl! At least in the conventional way. He won't even do the crab. Instead he prefers the 'bulldozer' method. He lays one cheek on the carpet, sticks his butt all the way up into the air, and pushes with his to
es, dragging his arms behind him.Sweety just started signing 'please' a few days ago. It's so nice to be getting into two-way communication! Whether signed or verbalized, kids, and their parents, are so much happier with this important key to independence. They (and their parents) drastically reduce their amount of fit throwing and other inappropriate behaviors.
The major thing holding Sweety's large motor development back now is his lack of desire to bend and twist his torso. Thus the problems with crawling and rolling and leaning. I'm not sure what that's about;
any ideas why this might bother him, people?Naturally his PT has given us exercises to help him jump this hurdle. My favorite is when we attach clothes pins or hair clips to his sleeves, so he has to reach with the opposite arm to pull them off. He gets so befuddled! It's hours of fun to watch!
(Sorry the pics are so fuzzy. We're working on getting a new camera.)
3 comments:
Hurray for Sweety! It sounds like he's really coming across nicely, Lynn.
Using the exercises the PT has given you may be the only way to get him to to the bending and twisting. I have a 6 year old nephew who has Cystic Fibrosis. It went undiagnosed until he was a year old, and in the meantime, his body wasn't absorbing many nutrients at all, and essentially starving. He hadn't rolled over, or sat up or anything by his 1st birthday. And holding him in a standing position in our laps was actually painful for him. But his PT told his parents that the only way to really overcome it was to make him do it, and make him use those muscles and strengthen them. I know it's rough, because you feel so bad for them.
I was in contact with Sarah Moses (now Earl) a couple of years ago. She has a little boy who has cerebral palsy, and he kind of had the same issue with him hands and legs. And the PT pretty much told her the same thing.
Hang in there, I know it's hard, but you are a fabulous mom, and that's what's going to make the difference.
Man, that is so cool that they can even think of those tricks, I would never have thought to do that with the clothespins or clips.
I am glad you have the PT person, and I would LOVE to see him trying to get those off, I can just imagine haha.
He is so cute. I love his face!
He many be small, but he's adorable. I'm glad to hear he's progressing in some really good areas!
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