This week we had the first OT evaluation. Since the initial 1st grade meeting last year, there have been some concerns with Kristopher's gross motor as well as fine motor development. Fine motor has improved a good bit, especially if he takes his time and applies himself to it. Gross motor however, he seems to have gotten worse. Maybe it's because he is getting taller and more awkward, who knows. That was his doctor's excuse for it when I brought it up at his yearly appt. Anyway, I decided after another round of forms and still notes from teachers on it, to go get the eval done on my own. And I'm glad I did. As I watched this whole process take place, I started to see more and more "flaws" with the way he does things that should be so much easier for him. The therapist agreed, and the first request was to get a real eye exam. She said she sees a lot that seems like his side vision is impaired. We've had the yearly school eye tests, and the test from the doctor's office at his annual exam, but never to an eye doctor since he passed those. I got a referral to a specialist who deals with the OT office frequently and he goes for that appt on the 6th. It's to check ocular motor skills. If there is a problem with that, it would explain so much of his balance and coordination issues. No matter what the outcome with that, she is starting him in weekly OT as of the 7th. And we get to take the bike so he can practice from someone different and I don't get so much whining fits directed at me. Hopefully she can help.
As for the fine motor. He does not qualify for fine motor OT unless it's through school or paid for out of pocket. If she feels that there is a definite need for that, she can fill out some info for the school and we will push the issue. I really think he just needs to calm down and focus. Writing is not a subject he likes, so he rushes. Same with the cutting. He does not like to take his time.
Thursday night we had an after school activity that I was dreading. They have fall and spring skating nights. Last year we went to both and it was a disaster each time. Back to the above with the balance issues and he flat out would not try. It was meltdown city and he hated the entire night. This year, my husband stand home with the boys I babysit, and me, K, the girl I watch and her mother all went to the event. I was out on the rink with them, and helping K through it all. Which in case you are wondering, supporting an 8 year old who is 4'7 & 66lbs before skates, is quite the task when he can't stay upright and won't even try. I was fine till he started to give me serious attitude issues because he was falling. Like it was my fault. After about 10 minutes of him getting furious, whining and refusing to make any effort at all to help himself when he fell, I walked on up with the others and let him sit there in the middle of the rink. I peeked back a few times and saw him trying to figure out what to do (he couldn't see me through other people) and finally he managed to stand up. It reminded me of the movie Bambi, on the ice. He fell again, but since I wasn't right there, he didn't start the whining/crying fit. He slowly got back up, and next thing I know he was next to us. He tried to hold onto me again and I would keep moving farther away. Finally he started getting super angry at me again, and next thing we know the teacher skates up and compliments him on such a great job. I think she was watching from a distance. He absolutely loves his teacher, and will not display any of the anger and babyish behavior around her. Or in the school at all for that matter. So, he immediately started smiling and showing off how he was trying. She took him along with her and taught him a few tricks on how to keep from falling and magically he was off and never tried to hold onto me again. It was awesome.
Before the teacher came and saved the night
After!
And I'll add one more cute picture of the special bond he has with Marley now. She has got to be one of the most sweetest dogs I have ever met. The loyalty she has with him is amazing for how young she is. This is a common thing in our house at night.
Doggy Love
You'll have to let me know how the OT goes. I have been dragging my feet on getting Michael an appt with the ped to get OT started, but I need to do it. I have been trying to teach the child to hop for weeks, and finally, yesterday, he actually did it a time or two. There is hope! But I need someone to take the load off me in this dept. because it's too frustrating to bear alone.
ReplyDeleteI never learned to skate. It's one of those skills that must be learned young. We have an ice rink here. I'm going to have to get Michael lessons (maybe next year) because I'm not going out onto that ice (I already broke my wrist once, don't need to tempt fate again) be I don't want him be the kid at the skating party sitting alone on the side like I was my whole life.