GroshLink

We realize it's been way too long since we posted any updates on Eden, so here's our attempt to capsulize the last 6 weeks.  I'll make separate posts to make it more manageable to read.  This post explains where she's at with her various therapies. 

In June Eden went through her annual evaluations from all of her therapists (physical, occupational, and speech).  Some things pleasantly surprised us (or gave confirmation to our suspicions) and some things were not surprising . . .

In speech, she tested 3 months ahead of her age for comprehension (nothing gets passed this kid!) and about 3 months behind for expressive language.  She has an "articulation delay", for whatever reason, we don't know.  The doctor does not think it has to do with weak muscles on the left side of her face.  She prefers to make deep throaty sounds like "ga" over sounds that are made with the lips like "ba".  But she can make the lip sounds (at least most of them), so we keep working with her.  If speech was the only area of therapy, she would not qualify for services because her delay is not significant enough. 

But the way the system works, since she qualifies for services through physical development she's entitled to other therapies, including speech.  She tested at about a 10 month level in gross motor skills, mainly because she isn't walking unassisted.  This was not surprising to us.  In PT we work on strengthening her leg muscles (specifically her right leg) by helping her walk up steps, ride on a riding toy, and sitting and standing from a small stool.  We also do some exercises on a therapy ball to strengthen trunk muscles. 

In OT we work on encouraging the use of her right hand, which has greatly improved.  She'll now use two hands to manipulate toys and objects, though not with complete dexterity.  We also encourage Eden to turn her right hand palm up since this seems to be a movement that needs encouragement.  The easiest way to do this is to have her use her right hand to receive the soap when washing her hands. 

This summer Eden also began swimming physical therapy at Schreiber Pediatrics.  She is one-on-one in the therapy pool with her therapist and she loves it!  She is a real waterbug and has no fear of getting her face wet.  She slipped once last session and went under for a second and it didn't even phase her.  We're  hoping the swimming will help her with her balance and leg strength.