Finding the problem is a huge part of solving it!

I am excited!

Levi has an almost official diagnosis of PDD...sensory processing disorder along with mild autism. 

This has not been an easy process to get through emotionally.  No one wants their kid to be disabled in any way.  No one wants their kid to need help to succeed.  No one likes the thought of their kid being labeled.

BUT!

Now that we have the label, help is on the way!  We're not crazy.  Other people can see what we are seeing, and we agree with their thoughts.  We have a team, a big team, of people who want to help us help Levi.  There are a ton of resources opened up to us with this diagnosis, and probably even more when it becomes official.  We have access to experts in dealing with these kinds of issues.  Experts who have treated and helped lots of children and parents, who have knowledge and tools that Brian and I just don't have.  Yet.

I have signed up for a 3-part workshop on autism offered through a local college (not the one I am enrolled in).  Levi is about to start therapy with a speech therapist, an occupational therapist, and a special education integration teacher (??not sure what this one is yet??).  I have found a monthly support group very close to home.  He will be enrolled in Head Start as soon as possible (which isn't right away...there is a waiting list and 4 year olds go first).

Help is on the way, and I am feeling very optimistic.  I was not feeling this way just a couple days ago.

Levi-ism of the day

Mom to Dyson, our Jack Russell:  Dyson, you're just going to have to hold your pee a minute.

Levi:  He can't!  He doesn't have any hands!

Ten places I must visit before I die

1.  Yellowstone National Park

2.  Redwood National Park

3.  Denali National Park

4.  Grand Teton National Park  (do we see a theme here?  LOL)

5.  Grand Canyon National Park

6.  Badlands National Park

7.  Somewhere cool in Texas (this one's for my honey...he was born in Texarkana)

8.  Creation Museum, Kentucky

9.  Gator Land, Florida

10.  Every major zoo and aquarium in the US and Canada  (Yeah, that may be pushing it...but it would be cool, wouldn't it?)

Overload

Whirring.

Buzzing.

Lights.

Water falling.

NOISE!

The wonder of the MOST. 

There weren't even many kids there, it being the first or second day for public schools in the area.  We went because we knew it would be deserted and we could give the kids more free reign and play full of learning.  It was a good day to go!

And yet, it was still too much for my littlest boy.  Complete sensory overload.

I've been watching him closer for the past month or so, terrified of what I am seeing.  We're having him evaluated for these issues and others.  Evaluated, and involving the public school system and the county mental health to help us figure out what is going on and help him.  If you know me, you know that it took quite a LOT to get me to go there for help.

So.  Today.  Lots of hands over ears, closing eyes.  Floppy out of control limbs.  Wouldn't go in the 5 story playhouse because of the stupid air compressor noise in one part of it.  Wouldn't walk near the giant beating heart, not afraid, just couldn't handle the noise (and that one was a low noise).

I've done some research on my own.  I've talked to a few friends that I know won't sugar coat it.  I've talked to the people evaluating him.  I consider myself to be pretty well educated on early child development, even though I've never formally studied it.  This, this thing that has overtaken my child, this is what I fear.  For I know what it is.  In my heart, I already know, and I'm just waiting for the "professionals" to confirm it and give it a name.

It breaks my heart!  Looking in his eyes, I can see when he has lost all control.  I want to lay down and throw a tantrum with him!  Oh, God, my precious boy...  Hold us both, won't You?

Seriously?

Did you know that you can brush your teeth and drive down 4 lane highway with traffic entering, exiting, jumping over 2 lanes in a blink?

You can.

I'm sure the guy's (YES, a guy!) poor driving had nothing to do with the vigorous brushing of his teeth that was going on.

And I'm sure if he had ended up in the hospital, his dentist would have visited him and praised him for his shiny clean teeth.




Seriously.  Don't try this at home.  Or rather, don't try this in your car.  I think "they" need to outlaw stupid.