Um, I'm a SAHM of two boys and stepmother to another boy, who resides in the most part with his mother.
My youngest son, now almost 2yrs old, has just recently been given the diagnosis of CAS: Childhood Apraxia of Speech.
My oldest, will be 6 at the end of November, has sensorineural hearing loss (genetic in nature), TS (Tourette Syndrome), ADHD, OCD, SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder), anxiety disorder, etc.
The oldest, DW, is in OT and PT 3 - 4 times a week. JD, the youngest has just finished his first week in ST. He goes 3 times a week. He will need PT and will be getting qualified for it sometime next month. DW sees a psychologist once a week to help with the TS/ADHD rages and OCD issues. He also has a neurologist and developmental behavioral pediatrician that he sees monthly or bi-monthly. He has a geneticist, an ENT (specialist in cranial facial surgeries and issues), a GI doctor and his regular pediatrician. Then you throw in JD's hearing tests every 3 - 6 months and life in our house if usually revolving around therapy or doctor's appointments!!
DW was first diagnosed with SPD at just under 3 years old. OCD was the diagnosis given to him at age 3 as was ADHD. By not quite 4 the tics we'd spent the last two years, chalking up to sensory issues, allergies, etc were undeniably not coming from those issues. The sniffing, blinking, odd breathing noises, constant tugging on his clothes, arm/shoulder jerk, swiping at his nose, etc were no longer mild or in anyway dismissable.
That was our life. Full of meltdowns, medications, various therapies. Then came the dreaded audiology exam. DW's father and grandfather has familial sensorineural hearing loss. So, when as a baby, there was a VERY mild problem in certain tones, it was no surprise. This year's exam though...showed that bilaterally his hearing loss was mild and in some areas, came close to being moderate. It was my choice to do hearing aids or not....when they let me hear how he hears, it was all I needed. He's being fitted for molds next week.
JD has just started his ST therapy a week ago. So, the CAS diagnosis is also new and added to the hearing loss that DW has, it's worrisome. JD's hearing exam was inconclusive in the lower tones, which gives me no comfort.
So, now we add yet another chapter to our lives. Another layer to this crazy cake. It is devastating, it is hard, it is crazy, it is full of tears but, it's priceless, the moments where the light shines in is blinding! It is full of laughter and silliness as you learn to never take a thing to seriously.
I'm just hoping I can hold on tight enough and NOT mess up! :)
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