Monday, December 15, 2014

Beginning of December 2014 update and Results of The Adaptive Behavior Test (Brendan 2.7 years old)

       December is here and it is already flying by so fast. Brendan absolutely loves Christmas. He loves to watch any show that is a Christmas episode. His favorite of course is Mickey's Twice Upon Christmas Movie. We have watched it for the last month more times than I would like to share. He is really enjoying looking at the christmas lights everywhere. We have gone to the Mormon Temple and enjoyed the light display as well as the McCormick Ranch Train park. The train park had a special night just for special needs kids. It was really such a treat. They had so many volunteer out with tables that you could decorate cookies, do holiday crafts and visit with Santa. The best part was it was all free. As a mom these events make my life so much easier. Brendan was having a complete anxiety meltdown when I was trying to get him to ride the train. But that is why we enjoy these nights because everyone around understands what you are going through. We also went to visit Santa Claus yesterday and Brendan was not a big fan. Santa didn't seem thrilled with the screaming kid I was about to put on his lap! But everyone survived and it could have always been worse!

     Brendan is continuing to make some great progress. He is doing a lot of vocal imatation which is great. Our goal is to try and get him to do more vocal requesting on his own. He won't talk or say a word without someone prompting the word first. He will use his PECS cards and request things all day long but getting him to vocalize is what we are really trying to work on,
      We had our 3 month follow up at the Melmed Center and this appointment he was getting some testing done. I wasn't sure exactly what testing he was going to get done but anytime he has to get a test done it brings so much fear and anxiety to me. Even though I know he has autism already they just magnify how far behind your child is compared to typically kids during these tests. As a parent that is hard to have to here ALL THE TIME!!!! They gave him the Adaptive Behavior Test! This test is broken down into 4 categories which are Communication, Daily Living Skills, Socialization, Motor Skills. Within each of these areas they have separate categories in them broken down.  This is so they can see from year to year what areas he is improving on. He will get this test done every year. The physcologist that did the test total me he scored really good on the motor skills(which isn't a surprise because that is his strength) and he scored really low on the other categories.  After the test was done we then saw his doctor. She was explaining the test to me in more detail and said he is scoring really low but also wanted me to tell her what progress he has made in his therapy. She then told me in the next 6 to 8 months she wants him to take a non verbal test! Which she said that she can almost bet that he will score extremely high on this kind of test. She said he is extremely smart and has so many non verbal skills that most typical kids don't have. So that made me feel a little bit better. She just kept telling me that I am doing everything I am supposed to be doing for him and he is getting all the right therapies. As his mom I know he is making progress so that is all I can ask for! I am so proud of everyone on his team. They have all devoted so much personal time and energy. I truly feel so lucky to have such a great team. With all the anxiety, nerves and sleepless nights leading up to this test I got in the car called my mom and just had a good cry. I may appear to be strong all the time and look like I have it all together but I am human and I cry more than most of you would think. I know any other autism mom would understand our behind closed doors cries!
        A couple days after the test I received his test scores and report in the mail. I know both doctors told me he scored low but looking at this report I was completly devastated. They were so much lower than I had ever imagined. In Communication he scored at 1 year old level. In Daily Living Skills he scored a 7 month old level in two categories and a 1 year old in another. In Socialization he scored a 6 month old level, 7 month old and a 10 month old level. In Motor Skills he scored a 2.5 year old level and a 3 year old in another level. He is currently 2.7 years old! Now you can all understand why I HATE THESE TEST!!!!

Brendan loves to Dance


Brendan Loves to run. He does this all day long!

      I am so excited for Christmas and for Brendan to get a couple days off of therapy. He has no clue what is going to go on or even what Christmas is but I am excited to watch him with his gifts! Thank you to every single one of you who have given support to my family!!! You all mean the world to us!!!