We have an appointment!

This morning I got a call from the Occupational Therapist (OT) and she wanted to confirm a possible appointment date- I called back but it was already too late (today is Sunday). I'll be speaking with her tomorrow, hopefully.

The appointment is for round 2 of N's evaluation. I guess the like for you to see a few people before they completely confirm a diagnosis. N's Asperger's and SPD are very clear so there should be no issue there. We just want to get her into OT as soon as possible, because she's having a lot of trouble :(

Overwhelmed!

Tonight N had an episode of being extremely overstimulated and overwhelmed. My husband's grandmother is an active member of her church, and she invited us to a potluck event. We got there and despite N having all of her favorite foods in front of her, became very overwhelmed. She became mute and wouldn't answer or make eye contact with anyone- she was almost catatonic. She ate nothing, not even dessert. She's currently on a gluten-free diet and didn't even bat an eye when her uncle (seated next to her) ate a piece of cake (her favorite, which she usually begs for). We left and she completely transformed into her usual self. We attempted to ask her about how she was feeling and what she thought of the outing but she ignored all questions so it remains a mystery.

She usually gets like this when in a social situation, or in a situation with a lot of noise and commotion going on.

I have a video of her that I'm going to post later :) It's just an interview of sorts, but she goes off into discussing balloons and hair and all sorts of things!

2/17/11 Meltdown

Today N had a meltdown. When she had her first evaluation (still waiting on a follow-up), the developmental pediatrician asked me if she had tantrums, to which I replied "all the time". He asked what would happen if I were to walk away. I told him I was unsure of how to answer, because I never leave her during a tantrum. I said "I guess she'd follow me.", which was the wrong thing to say because that there is what differentiates a child who is having a tantrum between a child who is having a meltdown. I walked away during a meltdown today, and it continued without my presence. I went back in with her though.. I can't just let her cry there by herself. I'm still new at this but it just doesn't seem right.

Anyhow.. the cause. N told me she had to go to the bathroom. When she has to go, she has to go! I quickly got up and took her, and she insisted on doing it herself. Having just put a pile of laundry on the bathroom floor (in front of the toilet) there was no room for her to get on the toilet by herself, and she was wearing a very long dress that made it difficult for her. N is also very uncoordinated and lacks spatial awareness, and she has great difficulty with gross motor skills like getting on top of a tall toilet. SO.. I tried to help her up, and hold her dress. Instant meltdown. There was much flailing and screaming and kicking, she fell off of the toilet (fortunately onto the pile of laundry!) and curled up in a ball between the toilet and the wall and had the biggest meltdown I've ever seen her have. She slowly came out of it, but it took about 20 minutes. She had stripped her clothes off in the process, and they were replaced with a t-shirt and fresh underwear. About an hour later she decided to try to go to the bathroom again, and with her daddy's help (hoisting her onto the toilet) she was able to go without a meltdown.

The journey begins!

Hi! I'd like to first direct everyone to my main blog (<-click there, lol) so you can get to know a little more about us and our family.

My oldest daughter, N, is 3 years and one month old. She has just gotten a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome and Sensory Processing Disorder. This blog is intended to be a journal or chronicle of sorts. I intend to write about our hurdles and our strong points, and everything in between.

I hope you'll follow us through our journey!