Finally

We finally got a diagnosis for Oliver last week....Sensory Integration/Processing Disorder.  I have suspected this but needed that confirmation.  We have a lot to work on with him.  He also lacks protection skills.  So, when he falls or trips or whatever, he doesn't try to protect himself or stop himself.  We were supposed to have his first therapy appointment on Monday, but his therapist had to cancel last minute.  We now have to wait til Friday.  I have to admit, I was not happy.  I know things come up, so I understand that.  I was just looking forward to getting started on this therapy thing.  He has therapy once a week for 45 minutes.  I have a feeling this will be very hard work, but I can't wait to see the results. 

*Update*
So, I started this post the other day and forgot about it.  We had Oliver's appointment and it went well.  He is over-sensitive in some areas and under-sensitive in others.  One type of therapy we need to do with him is called "brushing."  We have this special brush that we need to use on his arms, back, legs, and feet.  After that we have to do "joint compression" and I guess this releases chemicals or something.  It is suppose to help relax the child, make him more alert to his senses.  We have to do it every 2 hours while he is awake for 3 weeks.  Over time, his body will get used to this and stay more alert and he will be able to go longer between brushes.  It sounds a little strange and I'm not sure how exactly it works, I just know it does.  He also needs speech therapy, not only for his speech but because he has a weakness in his mouth.  This explains why he mainly eats soft and mushy foods because he doesn't have to work for it.  He has a lot of things that need to be worked on but his therapist said we should be able to do a lot for him.  It is good that we are doing it now because his body and brain can be re-trained as opposed to waiting to he was older.  I told her that I got to thinking about the future and that I don't want him to be in school but can't wash his hands, or play with paint, or do other fun things because he is scared.  She did say that there is no known cause of this either...I've been thinking a lot lately that I did something to cause this, even though I read that there is no clear cause.  I also told her how people have been asking if he is autistic and how much that irritates me.  She said he is not autistic and that people assume when kids have sensory issues that they automatically have autism (because some kids with autism have sensory issues).  Most people just don't understand what we are dealing with.  I have been trying real hard to ignore these people.  It sucks though when you have family members saying things.  Telling you that it your fault your child has issues, or that you are a bad parent and just need to discipline your child.  Some of these people don't have kids and think they know all, or they have kids and think what they do is what everyone should do.  I am also doing research on smoothies to boost Oliver's weight a little.  I weighed him the other day and he is 26 pounds which means he has only gained a half a pound since his 15 month check-up (he is almost 22 months).  I know weight gain slows down, but to me, a half a pound in 7 months is not enough.  He was always in the higher percentile for weight also, until he got all picky with his food, then he dropped down.  I'm hoping that after some speech therapy he will get better with food.  Just as I am typing this, Oliver said "baby" which probably doesn't sound like that big of a deal to most, but he is almost 2 and just said it now.  He doesn't even say "hi" so I'm going to take any words that I can :)