Ellie Mom to 2, one with PDD-nos and one with Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD and Depression/Anxiety
My name is Ellie Giberson. I have been married to Eric for 12 years, and we have two children. Seth is 6 years old and in First grade. He is sweet, cuddly, and downright hilarious. Skye is 9 years old and in Fourth grade. She is artistic, creative, and spirited. They definitely keep us on our toes!
Seth is on the autism spectrum. He was diagnosed with PDD-nos when he was 4 years old. He has progressed remarkably despite the late start in intervention. He has regained eye contact, has a remarkable vocabulary, and can control his emotions fairly well now. He struggles with how to use speech properly—he does a lot of scripting and parroting. His social and emotional skills are delayed. He is a sensory-seeker in most ways, so he is usually running, crashing, spinning, jumping, or otherwise moving. He has fine-motor skill delays, but is catching up to his peers quickly!
Last year, Skye was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD, and Depression/Anxiety. Skye is a sensory-avoider—things like noises, smells, bright lights, sudden movements, and too much visual input really upset her. She bounces back and forth between moments of moody, withdrawn behavior and hyper, ultra-silliness. Being older, traditional therapy methods haven’t helped her much, so we have looked for different ways to help with her motor-delays and sensory issues. She also sees a psychiatrist for the depression and anxiety.
We’ve come to this group in a different way than many of the families you’ll meet here, but we have found that the worries, heartaches, and fears are much the same as ours. And so are the joys, the celebrations, and the blessings. You can read more about our life at www.tastingthecolors.blogspot.com. I also write for the SPD Bloggers Network at www.spdbloggernetwork.com.
Seth is on the autism spectrum. He was diagnosed with PDD-nos when he was 4 years old. He has progressed remarkably despite the late start in intervention. He has regained eye contact, has a remarkable vocabulary, and can control his emotions fairly well now. He struggles with how to use speech properly—he does a lot of scripting and parroting. His social and emotional skills are delayed. He is a sensory-seeker in most ways, so he is usually running, crashing, spinning, jumping, or otherwise moving. He has fine-motor skill delays, but is catching up to his peers quickly!
Last year, Skye was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD, and Depression/Anxiety. Skye is a sensory-avoider—things like noises, smells, bright lights, sudden movements, and too much visual input really upset her. She bounces back and forth between moments of moody, withdrawn behavior and hyper, ultra-silliness. Being older, traditional therapy methods haven’t helped her much, so we have looked for different ways to help with her motor-delays and sensory issues. She also sees a psychiatrist for the depression and anxiety.
We’ve come to this group in a different way than many of the families you’ll meet here, but we have found that the worries, heartaches, and fears are much the same as ours. And so are the joys, the celebrations, and the blessings. You can read more about our life at www.tastingthecolors.blogspot.com. I also write for the SPD Bloggers Network at www.spdbloggernetwork.com.
Caryn Mom to 2, one on the Autism Spectrum and one with Global Developmental Delays and Autistic Characteristics
" When I found out I was pregnant - I was elated! We had been trying unsuccessfully for a couple of years and were getting used to the idea that it just might not have been in the cards for us. What a shock when I found out I was pregnant.... and within a couple weeks, even more shocked when I found out I was pregnant with twins! An uneventful pregnancy ended with me on hospital bedrest at 29 weeks and my miracles - Emily Rose and Philip Michael - being born at 32 weeks. Emily weighed 3 pounds 12 ounces while my little man weighed a mere 2 pounds 5 ounces. Emily's NICU stay was 24 days while Philip's stay was a much longer 89 days.
I knew that due to their early start in life, they may have some delays and I was ready for that. We started Early Intervention (EI) just days after their 1st birthday. We had every therapist coming through our house all week - Occupational therapy, Developmental therapy, Speech, Physical therapy as well as a feeding therapy/clinic. We had therapy 4 out of 5 days a week for almost 2 years...a couple of those days we had double therapy. This became our new "norm." I was very lucky to have an AMAZING EI therapy team who would remind me that it was OK (and necessary) to cancel a therapy session every now and then to give the kids - and myself - a break. I often felt "cheated" that myself and the kids couldn't attend more playdates or go to the park or walk around the mall more as we seemed to always be tied to our house for one therapy or another. But I kept on and knew that it was the BEST thing for my kids and would give them the best start in life they could have!
When they were 2 1/2 years old, we got their official diagnoses. While these weren't a surprise to us, it was still very hard to hear. My daughter was diagnosed as being on the Autism spectrum and my son's diagnosis was Global Developmental delay with some Autistic characteristics. It was rough hearing those words - I immediately started to wonder -- how will this affect them later in life? Will they ever be in a regular class at school? Will they make friends? Be invited to friends birthday parties? But my husband and I knew - we were doing all we could for them - got them all of the therapies they needed, took them to the park, to the mall, to museums -- everything that "normal" kids do. We have not let their diagnoses stop them or hold them back in any way.
It's not an easy road with special needs kids -- especially having twins who both have special needs. It is a long and winding road - filled with a lot of potholes and twists and turns - but it is also rewarding. My son (who didn't start talking until he was almost 3) has just started to bring me a book and ask me to read it to him. I will read the same book to him 5 times a day, everyday -- I just LOVE it. And it was something I always dreamed of! And my daughter just amazes me everyday.... I'm a very lucky mom. "
I knew that due to their early start in life, they may have some delays and I was ready for that. We started Early Intervention (EI) just days after their 1st birthday. We had every therapist coming through our house all week - Occupational therapy, Developmental therapy, Speech, Physical therapy as well as a feeding therapy/clinic. We had therapy 4 out of 5 days a week for almost 2 years...a couple of those days we had double therapy. This became our new "norm." I was very lucky to have an AMAZING EI therapy team who would remind me that it was OK (and necessary) to cancel a therapy session every now and then to give the kids - and myself - a break. I often felt "cheated" that myself and the kids couldn't attend more playdates or go to the park or walk around the mall more as we seemed to always be tied to our house for one therapy or another. But I kept on and knew that it was the BEST thing for my kids and would give them the best start in life they could have!
When they were 2 1/2 years old, we got their official diagnoses. While these weren't a surprise to us, it was still very hard to hear. My daughter was diagnosed as being on the Autism spectrum and my son's diagnosis was Global Developmental delay with some Autistic characteristics. It was rough hearing those words - I immediately started to wonder -- how will this affect them later in life? Will they ever be in a regular class at school? Will they make friends? Be invited to friends birthday parties? But my husband and I knew - we were doing all we could for them - got them all of the therapies they needed, took them to the park, to the mall, to museums -- everything that "normal" kids do. We have not let their diagnoses stop them or hold them back in any way.
It's not an easy road with special needs kids -- especially having twins who both have special needs. It is a long and winding road - filled with a lot of potholes and twists and turns - but it is also rewarding. My son (who didn't start talking until he was almost 3) has just started to bring me a book and ask me to read it to him. I will read the same book to him 5 times a day, everyday -- I just LOVE it. And it was something I always dreamed of! And my daughter just amazes me everyday.... I'm a very lucky mom. "