Dyspraxic Journey

Tag Archive: developmental coordination disorder

Motor Cognition Lab Testing Results & Nutrition/Supplement Updates

The testing at the motor cognition lab went well. CB was easily redirected and tried to a certain degree on all the activities/tasks requested of him. I got the chance to observe the testing and was impressed with CB’s skills on the verbal component of the testing, his tossing skills, and with some of the comparison components of the non-verbal portion. Prior to the moment of testing, we were unaware that administration of an intelligence test was planned. Many times intelligence tests may not accurately reflect your child’s mental capabilities when they have verbal difficulties and/or motor-planning issues.  Since CB is younger than most of the kiddos they test, there were only 2 tests they administer that applied to CB. One was an intelligence test, Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test, 2nd ed. (KBIT-2), and the other was the standard test provided for evaluating motor skills for a child suspected of DCD (Developmental Coordination Disorder), Movement Assessment Battery for Children, 2nd ed. (MABC-2).  We also completed a parent response test related to his sensory needs. Some positive findings were that the intelligence tests prove that CB’s motor skills are not due to a lack of intelligence and that the researcher was impressed with the progress CB has made since we last talked. We knew that CB is an intelligent boy and that his motor-planning issues are not related to a mental deficit. It is nice to see that reflected in the testing, as well. The results of the motor test still conveyed a severe issue with motor skills, but the researcher felt very optimistic about his suspected prognosis. She wants to test him again around his 6th birthday and she thinks the gap between his skills and a typically developing child’s skills will more closely align. She also thinks CB will eventually be mostly indistinguishable from his typically developing peers. This is all fantastic news! It doesn’t mean we are able to lay off any of his therapies or diet restrictions but what it does mean is that the therapies and diet ARE HELPING!

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October 8, 2015 Allergy, Diet, & Supplements, Tests & Evaluations, , , , , , 0 Read more >

Let’s start from the beginning

CB is 4 years old …

For this week, let’s start from the beginning.

CB’s dad and I had mutually decided that we wanted to add a new addition to our small family of 4 (Olem, our 2 dogs, and me). We started to try to conceive, but my body decided to get all out-of-whack. After a couple of months, my body situation returned to normal but Olem’s schedule was extremely hectic. We decided to stop trying and to wait till we were both in a better place. The next time we decided to try to have a baby, CB was conceived with 2 weeks of trying. The pregnancy was a happy and fulfilling one. It was one of the happiest times of my life. The pregnancy itself was a little noteworthy. I had two yeast infections and took a medicine prescribed by the south american OB we saw for our first ultrasound called Icaden. We were traveling extensively and on a work hiatus when I got pregnant. I had placenta previa for most of the pregnancy but the placenta moved out of the way by the time CB arrived. For the last several weeks for the pregnancy, I had polyhydramnios. At 42 weeks and 1 day, I had to be induced b/c CB was not coming out on his own. I was given a low level dose of pitocin and the Dr broke my water. Labor was on the short side, 6 hours, and my midwife and her assistance were there to help the whole time. I stayed mostly relaxed throughout labor. During child birth, the umbilical cord came out while CB was exiting my birth canal and the Dr decided to cut the cord at that time. CB was born and turned blue right after being placed in my arms. After a couple of minutes (and after Olem began talking to CB), CB cried out and his color returned to normal. He was then placed back in my arms and we just stared into each other’s eyes. I still remember the extreme joy and connectedness I felt at that moment. While in the hospital we hardly slept because Olem and I just wanted to watch CB. The only time he left my sight was when Olem went with him and the nurse to perform a couple of tests. We were so excited about our new beautiful boy. I had lost a lot of blood after CB’s birth because my placenta had to be manually extracted. We had to stay in the hospital an extra day because CB was no longer pooping. It turns out he was severely tongue-tied. At 6 days old, we had his frenulum clipped. I should note he never had problems latching on. He just had problems latching on properly initially since his tongue would only extend to the back of his teeth. I also received numerous sonograms since I had placenta previa and then polyhydramnios.

The first weeks were a bit of a blur. I would nurse while my husband fed me from the food my mom had prepared for us. Olem took care of all the diaper changes, putting CB in his napper, and picking him up. It took 2 weeks before I had the strength (due to the low iron from the blood loss) to carry CB around.

We enjoyed our new beautiful boy and learned to function on little sleep. CB was a good baby and a pretty easy baby, as far as babies go. He enjoyed laying on the playmate and watching the lights and spinning toys, swinging in his swing, going for strolls in his stroller, and riding in his car seat. By 2.5 months, he was sleeping through the night and we moved him to his crib in his own room. One mom had noted that CB made being a baby look easy. What CB did not like was being carried in a sling or carrier on me or belly time. I had a wrap, sling, and 2 baby wearers. It took until CB was 6-8 months old, before he would tolerate me carrying him in one of these for more than a few minutes. He has always loved the water. He was a very happy baby. Everyone always commented on this, as well.

Promising Progress: Olem and I feel even more certain that Global Dyspraxia is what CB has. The DSM V states it as DCD, Developmental Coordination Disorder, but that only accounts for the fine and gross motor planning issues. If we go with the DCD diagnosis, then you could say he has DCD with Apraxia, sensory issues, visual issues, and auditory issues. Global Dyspraxia seems to cover his verbal dyspraxia, motor, coordination, balance, sensory, visual, slow-processing, focus, attention, and low frustration tolerance levels. He also has overall hypotonia (low muscle tone), which is common in DCD and Dyspraxia but is not required. It is still nice to have a more concise unofficial diagnosis.

April 18, 2015 Growth and Progress, , , , , , , , 0 Read more >