Posts
11 years ago
Friday, March 27, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Hannah
Hannah has been going to OT (occupational therapy) for the past month (once a week) to get therapy to try to help with the sensory issues she has been having. Well...I haven't seen much of an improvement at all.
Last Friday, she was evaluated by a developmental/behavioral pediatrician. Another bittersweet day for me, but we came out of the appointment with a diagnosis. Hannah was diagnosed with Anxiety with features of OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and Selective Mutism. She was also diagnosed with a Sleep Disorder. (one thing isn't enough, right?!)
You are probably wondering what the heck all that means! Well, the anxiety is due to a chemical imbalance. Basically, she inherited my anxiety disorder. And while it didn't affect me until I was older, she is getting nailed with anxiety at a very young age. In fact, the doctor said she was the youngest he had ever diagnosed with all these things. He said that since they are cognitive disorders, they generally don't pop up until later...but he said that Hannah is extremely smart and advanced with her cognitive function, and that is why we are seeing it now.
He also saw a component of OCD with her...again something that doesn't usually surface until around age 6-7 years, but something she is definitely dealing with.
The Selective Mutism was something new to me, but after he explained it, it makes sense. She doesn't have this to a very severe degree, but he said if the anxiety isn't treated, she could go full blown with it as she gets older. Basically, it is when a child can be extremely social at home or around people they know, but won't speak to strangers (can you see how this could be an issue when she is school-age?). Hannah instead, acts anxious and makes funny squeaking noises instead of using words around people she knows. If I remind her to use her words, she will to some extent, but it is in a very quiet voice and is usually more baby talk than anything.
The sleep disorder comes from the anxiety and OCD. She has always been a horrible sleeper. It's as if her brain just will not turn off and let her sleep. She is always awake worrying or obsessing over something. Last night, she was up from midnight until 4:45 am. She couldn't sleep because she was having unrealistic fears, and was obsessing about something she had done during the day.
I think we are going to discontinue her OT since we really aren't getting much out of it. She LOVES her therapist, and has finally opened up and is really comfortable with her and talking to her etc. But...we aren't rich and can't pay for something we aren't getting much out of! I have gotten several good ideas to try and implement at home...but they are also things I could have found and done just by searching the internet.
The developmental ped wants her to try Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Basically, it teaches people with these types of disorders how to control themselves when they are feeling anxious or having OCD problems. I am really hoping she will benefit from it. I have no idea how long we are going to have to wait to get her started though, as the therapists are apparently extremely busy. We were planning on holding off on medicating her because we wanted to try therapy first. But....since we don't know how long the wait will be, and she is getting worse by the day, we have decided we are going to put her on meds. All of the research I have read shows that children showed more improvement on a combo of meds and therapy than they did on either meds or therapy alone. The goal would be to eventually get her to the point where she can control her thoughts/actions on her own and not need meds.
Wow! Sorry that turned into a novel. I have had one heck of a week. Everyone in our house is sick, and then we got this diagnosis to top it off. I'm glad we can finally get help now, but it really is hard. You never want anything to be wrong with your child. Wish us luck with the meds...I am really hoping they make a HUGE difference. I love my Hannah so much and it is so hard seeing her not be able to control herself.
Last Friday, she was evaluated by a developmental/behavioral pediatrician. Another bittersweet day for me, but we came out of the appointment with a diagnosis. Hannah was diagnosed with Anxiety with features of OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and Selective Mutism. She was also diagnosed with a Sleep Disorder. (one thing isn't enough, right?!)
You are probably wondering what the heck all that means! Well, the anxiety is due to a chemical imbalance. Basically, she inherited my anxiety disorder. And while it didn't affect me until I was older, she is getting nailed with anxiety at a very young age. In fact, the doctor said she was the youngest he had ever diagnosed with all these things. He said that since they are cognitive disorders, they generally don't pop up until later...but he said that Hannah is extremely smart and advanced with her cognitive function, and that is why we are seeing it now.
He also saw a component of OCD with her...again something that doesn't usually surface until around age 6-7 years, but something she is definitely dealing with.
The Selective Mutism was something new to me, but after he explained it, it makes sense. She doesn't have this to a very severe degree, but he said if the anxiety isn't treated, she could go full blown with it as she gets older. Basically, it is when a child can be extremely social at home or around people they know, but won't speak to strangers (can you see how this could be an issue when she is school-age?). Hannah instead, acts anxious and makes funny squeaking noises instead of using words around people she knows. If I remind her to use her words, she will to some extent, but it is in a very quiet voice and is usually more baby talk than anything.
The sleep disorder comes from the anxiety and OCD. She has always been a horrible sleeper. It's as if her brain just will not turn off and let her sleep. She is always awake worrying or obsessing over something. Last night, she was up from midnight until 4:45 am. She couldn't sleep because she was having unrealistic fears, and was obsessing about something she had done during the day.
I think we are going to discontinue her OT since we really aren't getting much out of it. She LOVES her therapist, and has finally opened up and is really comfortable with her and talking to her etc. But...we aren't rich and can't pay for something we aren't getting much out of! I have gotten several good ideas to try and implement at home...but they are also things I could have found and done just by searching the internet.
The developmental ped wants her to try Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Basically, it teaches people with these types of disorders how to control themselves when they are feeling anxious or having OCD problems. I am really hoping she will benefit from it. I have no idea how long we are going to have to wait to get her started though, as the therapists are apparently extremely busy. We were planning on holding off on medicating her because we wanted to try therapy first. But....since we don't know how long the wait will be, and she is getting worse by the day, we have decided we are going to put her on meds. All of the research I have read shows that children showed more improvement on a combo of meds and therapy than they did on either meds or therapy alone. The goal would be to eventually get her to the point where she can control her thoughts/actions on her own and not need meds.
Wow! Sorry that turned into a novel. I have had one heck of a week. Everyone in our house is sick, and then we got this diagnosis to top it off. I'm glad we can finally get help now, but it really is hard. You never want anything to be wrong with your child. Wish us luck with the meds...I am really hoping they make a HUGE difference. I love my Hannah so much and it is so hard seeing her not be able to control herself.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Fun with Food!
Jessica is loving "real" food! She insists on feeding herself and making a huge mess, but that's ok with me...at least she is eating and not puking! I'm trying to be creative with foods, but it's hard since everything seems to have milk and/or soy in it! I did find some "safe" mac & cheese for her...she had so much fun being a big girl! And she got spaghetti one night too and made a good mess! Our little girl is growing up fast!
Hannah's 3!
Hannah got to have 2 birthday parties this year! The first was on her birthday with just family at Chuck E. Cheese. She had a blast! The second was on Saturday following her birthday with friends and more family. She was spoiled as usual and got tons of Thomas train pieces for her train set. Her theme was Little Einsteins, which she insisted on. I had the hardest time coming up with a cake as none of the bakeries have a Little Einsteins cake! So I ended up ordering an edible picture sheet off the internet and laying it on the cake myself! She was happy with the finished product! Here's some pictures from Hannah's parties:
Jessica had fun at the party as well, she liked the balloons!
Jessica had fun at the party as well, she liked the balloons!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Is it Spring?!
We have been having a BEAUTIFUL week! It has been sunny! Kind of chilly, but nowhere near normal! The girls and I walked to the park on Monday. Here are a few pictures of them at the playground swinging!
And...a couple cute pics of the girls wearing their "Big Sis, Little Sis" shirts!
And...a couple cute pics of the girls wearing their "Big Sis, Little Sis" shirts!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year!!
Ok, so one of my New Year's resolutions is going to be to TRY to keep up on my blog!
2008 was a great year. We welcomed our second baby girl, Jessica to the family in April. I can't even believe she is already 8 months old! How time flies! Our big girl will be 3 this month! Where has the time gone?
Hannah sure is growing up. She is certainly acting like a 3 year old! Everything is "why" or "how come"? She needs to know EVERYTHING! And she never stops talking...she is quite the chatterbox! She is constantly entertaining her dad and I with the things she comes up with! She will be having a "Little Einsteins" birthday party on Saturday, January 24th (her b-day is the 21st) while her Papa is visiting from Georgia.
Jessica learned to say "Dada" on Christmas day. That was a nice little gift to her dad! It was her first word, and she has enjoyed practicing it! She still is not crawling...but she likes to stand and play and manages to cruise around the furniture...very slowly! She's pretty cautious! We started her on a new medication last week and she has had a significant mood change! She actually smiles and laughs now! Plus she is not clung to me 24/7...I can actually put her down and walk away for a while now without her screaming.
Christmas went well. Hannah made out like a bandit as usual! She asked for horses this year...and boy did she get horses! I'm not sure how many she got in all, but I had to go to Walmart and buy a big plastic tote to keep them all in! She also got a cool spring horse from her Grandma and Grandpa. Jessica had fun eating her presents...she did surprisingly well at opening them too!
Here are some new pictures...enjoy!
And a couple videos...
Jessi "walking"
http://s58.photobucket.com/albums/g254/fiestagrill/?action=view¤t=009-9.flv
And saying "dada"
http://s58.photobucket.com/albums/g254/fiestagrill/?action=view¤t=010-6.flv
2008 was a great year. We welcomed our second baby girl, Jessica to the family in April. I can't even believe she is already 8 months old! How time flies! Our big girl will be 3 this month! Where has the time gone?
Hannah sure is growing up. She is certainly acting like a 3 year old! Everything is "why" or "how come"? She needs to know EVERYTHING! And she never stops talking...she is quite the chatterbox! She is constantly entertaining her dad and I with the things she comes up with! She will be having a "Little Einsteins" birthday party on Saturday, January 24th (her b-day is the 21st) while her Papa is visiting from Georgia.
Jessica learned to say "Dada" on Christmas day. That was a nice little gift to her dad! It was her first word, and she has enjoyed practicing it! She still is not crawling...but she likes to stand and play and manages to cruise around the furniture...very slowly! She's pretty cautious! We started her on a new medication last week and she has had a significant mood change! She actually smiles and laughs now! Plus she is not clung to me 24/7...I can actually put her down and walk away for a while now without her screaming.
Christmas went well. Hannah made out like a bandit as usual! She asked for horses this year...and boy did she get horses! I'm not sure how many she got in all, but I had to go to Walmart and buy a big plastic tote to keep them all in! She also got a cool spring horse from her Grandma and Grandpa. Jessica had fun eating her presents...she did surprisingly well at opening them too!
Here are some new pictures...enjoy!
And a couple videos...
Jessi "walking"
http://s58.photobucket.com/albums/g254/fiestagrill/?action=view¤t=009-9.flv
And saying "dada"
http://s58.photobucket.com/albums/g254/fiestagrill/?action=view¤t=010-6.flv
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Fabulous Fall
What a beautiful weekend we had! The sun was out and it wasn't too cold (certainly wasn't warm either though!). Today we took the girls on a bikeride. Jessica went on her first bike ride ever. She LOVED it! Not a peep out of her the whole way, she was just looking around taking everything in. It was a nice slow ride as Hannah was riding her own bike and she's not the fastest pedaler yet! LOL A nice first ride for Jessi. It's nice having another family activity back!
Yesterday we had company over for the World Series...which ended up being rain delayed, and I'm probably the only one that stayed up late enough to see the end! Go Phillies! Hannah got a battle wound from her little friend Oliver, he's the little guy I used to watch. Apparently they got in a fight over who got to flush the toilet! Hannah definitely lost the battle, she got two good scratches under her left eye. Today she was still talking about how it hurt and she didn't like it!
Aunt Abby and Cousin Cash came over too, Cash got to try out the jumper for the first time!
And a couple other shots...Jessi is starting at an early age with the tv addiction. Hannah was playing boxing on the Wii!
Yesterday we had company over for the World Series...which ended up being rain delayed, and I'm probably the only one that stayed up late enough to see the end! Go Phillies! Hannah got a battle wound from her little friend Oliver, he's the little guy I used to watch. Apparently they got in a fight over who got to flush the toilet! Hannah definitely lost the battle, she got two good scratches under her left eye. Today she was still talking about how it hurt and she didn't like it!
Aunt Abby and Cousin Cash came over too, Cash got to try out the jumper for the first time!
And a couple other shots...Jessi is starting at an early age with the tv addiction. Hannah was playing boxing on the Wii!
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