Preston turned 5 last Thursday - March 15th. I can't believe this kid is 5 already. We have had so many ups and downs with him, but he brings so much joy to our family. He is loving and guileless. He is mellow and happy. I probably say this a lot, but to know Preston really is to love him.
Preston during his 5 days in the NICU
The day he got to come home (March 19th)
6 months old - with his cousin Tony during a trip to Flaming Gorge
One year old - eating licorice at grandma's house
2 years old - climbing on the table
3 years old - playing at the park
4 years old - loving sunglasses and his own sense of style
5 years old - playing with his cousin Tanner
While we're talking about Preston, I guess I ought to update you on the therapy we have been doing. After having him go through two rounds of The Listening Program I was actually talking to his Primary teacher and trying to explain his challenges. I mentioned how much progress he had made with the listening program and how excited and hopeful we were. This lead to a conversation about a similar type of therapy her good friend does. She brought me over a pamphlet and I couldn't believe the testimonials. It was expensive so we knew it would have to wait, but I knew it was something I was going to have Preston participate in. It was one of those moments where you know you were supposed to have that exact conversation. It was an answer to prayer. Well, January came and we decided to sign both boys up for the therapy. It is called Sensory Learning. The link is to the website of the founder. The lady we went through is Mae Jae Storrs. She operates out of her home in Utah and then helps her son run a larger clinic in Kansas. Her website is in the works or I'd direct you there. Anyway, it was intense. For kids, they can't go the full hour so you take them twice a day for a half hour each time for twelve days. It was a huge commitment. After that, you take the lights home for 18 more days to finish up the therapy. Essentially it combines light, sound and motion therapy for maximum results. It helps form new neural pathways in the brain. Strange, but true. I'll be honest, it has been hard. Both the boys' behavior has had many off days (particularly Preston) but as time passes, the on days far outnumber the off days. You can see changes for up to a year as the neural pathways develop and learning increases. We finished the program just over a month ago - Feb 9 was our last day of lights. And it has been incredible to see the progress he has made. His preschool teachers asked me if I had changed his medication because he is so much more attentive and seems to follow what they are doing. I told them he isn't on meds and they were shocked. He was holding an airplane in his hand and not really talking to anyone. Out of nowhere he says, "I wonder how this airplane flies. Does it change into a rocket or something." Okay, I'm sure that seems like a normal 5 year old question, but Preston does not ask inquisitive questions like that and he definitely does not connect two concepts like that either. I was shocked! The following Sunday, he handed me his paper from Primary. He has taken an interest to coloring, but that is the extent of it. I saw the paper and started sobbing. Not crying...sobbing. Poor Preston couldn't figure out what he had done wrong. I assured him I was crying because I was happy and he just looked at me like I was crazy. He had drawn a picture of two people. Heads, eyes, mouths and a stick body. That is HUGE! He has NEVER EVER drawn a picture of people in his life. Never drawn anything. He colors and scribbles, but doesn't put a concept on paper with crayons. It still amazes me just talking about it. Anyway, we have bad days still, but we are so excited about his progress. We don't know what it all means long-term, but there is a very good chance we will have him do the therapy again next year in hopes of continuing his progress even further.
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