Riley was born on June 17th, 2009. He weighed in at 8lbs 8.5 oz. It was a heatly pregnancy with no issues or complications. I had him at full term 6 days early. At 10 weeks old Riley was diagnosed with Pyloric Stenosis. Basically he couldn't keep anything down because the valve that connects his stomache to his intestines was so enlarged it wouldn't allow for any food to pass through so it all came back up. He had laproscopic surgry where they made an insicion in the valve, and since then he hasn't had any more problems with that. Other then that Riley has been a heathly baby/ toddler.
Over time I started noticing some things that were of concern to me.
- Riley was always a picky eater, but the older he got, the more picky he became. As of right now he will only eat crunchy foods.
- Riley is 22 months old and says nothing other than mama dada, and mom, but he doesn't say them with meaning. In other words he knows how to say them, but as far as saying them to the right person, or understanding what he is saying he doesn't get it.
- He likes to eat paper.
- He likes to put his shoes on his hands, and chew on the heel part of his or anyones shoes.
- He was picky about having a bottle. he was on a bottle up until he was about 20 months old. He wouldn't drink his bottle if I switcched the nipple on the bottle out for another kind. It could only be one kind of nipple on th bottle for him to drink it.
- He would walk around shrugging his shoulders.
- He would kind of twist his hands when he walks around.
- He likes to blink his eyes more than necessary.
- He doesn't like grass, snow, sand, or water.
- Loud abrupt noises scare him. Like people in a crowed cheering, or the noise of someone hitting the punching bag in one of those arcade machines.
- He doesn't like his hands being held.
- He doesn't like to play with other kids.
- He doesn't like for his sister to hug him, or anyone other than myself or my husband.
- He doesn't repond to his name being called, or simple commands most of the time.
I didn't notice these things all at once, but more over time. As I started to think more about it I realized things that I kind of puched off in my mind that happened in the past. Like when we were at the aquarium, and someone hit the punching bag in the machine they had there. It scared riley so bad I had to take him out of the room so he couldn't hear it. It didn't really register then that it might be a sensory issue, but looking back on it now it makes since. That was maybe about a little over a year ago so he was about 9 months old at the time. Also since he could crawl and I would try to take him outside to play he hasn't liked grass. I remember putting him on a blanket, and he wouldn't go off of it. I though geez this is nice it's like an invisible fence. Now I realize that he doesn't like the feeling of the grass,a nd it really bugs him to touch it.
It really didn't dawn on me until Riley was about 16 or 17 months that he might have autism. Even then I didn't mention it. I kind of lept it to myself. I would talk to my best friends about how c ertain things would bug him, and she brought it up to me that he might have autism. I knew she was right, but I just didn't want to admit it to myself. On March , 2011 I got Riley a check up at the pediatricans for his well kid check visit. This was my 1st visit with this pediatrician. During the visit I mentioned my concerns about him possably having autism,a nd the fact that he isn't talking. She told me that he was fine, and he doesn't talk becuse he always has his bottle in his mouth. She also told me that "if I wanted her to she would refer me to a speech therapist" I said YES I want you to. She also said that she would try to find a therapist that would see him for his age about my autism concerns. She said it in a way that made me think she didn't believe a word I was saying. I didn't like this woman that's for sure.
On March 16, 2011 I had Riley's first appointment at his speech therapist. They did the evaluation during which he didn't say a single word. She told me that he definetly qualifies for therapy. She then said it would take about 2 weeks for it to get approved through my insurance, and then we would start weekly appointments. On March 30, 2011 Riley started his speech therapy at Complete Kids in Gastonia, NC. Since then he has been going weekly on Thursday mornings. My Thursday mornings consist of getting up at 6:20 am. Get both kids up and dressed. Take my husband to work who has to be there at 7am. Be at speech therapy at 8am. I am there for an hour, and then after speech therapy I usually take that time to run any errands I need to run since we only have 1 vechile. I go back to my husbands work at 11:30 am to pick him up for lunch.
The afternoon of March 30, 2011 I met with Jennifer from the CDSA (Child Develpomental Service Agency) She talked with me a little about what my concerns were for Riley. After a few questions she agreed that Riley would qualify for their program. All of their therapies are in home so I could get his speech therapy transfered to in home. Yippie!
The next day I get a call from the CDSA to schedule the appointment for them to evaluate Riley so that they could see exactly what kinds of therapies he would need. They set up this appointment for April 7th I wanna say. I cannot remeber the exact date, but I know it wasn't to far after the 1st visit. I had three ladies come out to the house. Jennifer came back out, and also Fran and Eileen. Jennifer observed,a nd kind of kept Jade occupied. Fran I believe asked me questions as Eileen played with riley trying to get him to go different tasks. After the "testing" was done they gave me a general evaluation of what they seen. During this time I asked them a little more about autism. Eileen said that they cannot give the diagnosis now, but she would be surprised if he wasn't diagnosed with some form of autism in the future. I asked her if she were to say what kind he would have she told me just reegular autism. About a week later I got the official report in the mail. ( I will post later I have to find the papers and scan them)
About a week ago I got a call fromk a pychiatrists office reminding me of my appointment for Thursday April 21st at 4:40 pm. I never got a call before, and I never scheduled this appointment for Riley, but they had all my info so I guess my pediatrican set this up. Fortunatly I was free, and could make this appointment. The only info I was given was the time, date, and address of this appointment. I hd a hard time finding the place, and after going in and out for 3 other buildings I finally found my way there. I arrived fashionable late (which I hate). I filled out the paperwork, and only had to wait a short time before they called us back. Once back there he asked me questions about my concerns, also about my pergnancy,a nd Riley as an infant. He also asked if I was married to his father,a nd also how long we have been married. what that has to do with anything I don't know, but I didn't think it was relevant. He discusses some thing about riley that I already kmnew like he has a developmental delay, and something is definetle not right. I already knew all of these things, and frankly thought that this appointment was a waste of my time. He told me to make a daily 5 minute journal of things Riley accomplishes each day, and that he wanted to see him again next week. I still don't understand what it is he is trying to do, becuse I have already had evaluation done with the CDSA as to what we need to focus on. Needless to say I don't think we will be going back.
This brings us up to today April 25, 2011. Today I had an appointment with Pam from the CDSA to discuss what types of therapies we would be getting Riley on. Pam explained to me that she herself is the partent of a spcial needs child. I really like Pam, and she understood what I am going thourgh, and truly seems as though she wants the best for Riley. She asked me what my concerns were, and looked at the rport as well. After talking with her we are going to be doing speech therapy, occupational therapy ( for his sensory issues), and also play therapy. She said that she would get in contact with some of the people that offer these services,and then they have 30 day to contact me, but it will probably be within the week. She also said that she would be coming back out about once a month during one of the therapy sessions just to see how things were going. She said she wants to make sure that I like the people that are coming out to the house, and everything is going well.
Now I am just waiting for phone calls, and to get this ball rolling. I am glad to be able to share Riley's Journey with you all, and if I can help anyone in anyway if you are going through the same thing as me.
