Been Awhile

Wow... it has been a long time since I have updated here.

We are coming towards the end of our Summer Break. We have a little over a week to go and then everybody goes back to school on August 3.

Benji is moving up to the 4 year old class room in the developmental preschool. He has made much improvement in all areas, although he is still considered globally delayed.

In June we under went standard developmental testing along with autism screening. The doctor believes that Benji is more at risk for ADHD combined type than anything else. As the primary caregiver and mother of Benji, I disagree. The doctor believes it's the ADHD because Benji's attention span lasts about 20 minutes. Also because Benji has a hard time adjusting to schedule change. And when Benji is over-sensitized he gets hyper and has meltdowns.

Benji has sensory integration disorder. He is very tactile defensive. He is also sensory seeking. Examples... eating pancakes and Benji gets syrup on his hands, he has to get it washed off as soon as possible. Benji enjoys 'crashing' into the wall, or falling. We handle his sensory stuff by doing exercises. He jumps on the mini-tramp, swings in the sling swing, swims in the pool, body massage, bouncy ball, and stretching exercises. When doing things that will set off his tactile defensiveness we keep it to a minimum and at meals keep a damp wash cloth handy.

Benji also has food intolerances. His is VERY lactose intolerant tot he point we avoid lactose, casein, whey and anything that hints of having to do with cow's milk. Benji can not tolerate food dyes, specifically red 40 but others are suspected, we just discovered another chemical that sets him off too. (azodicarbonamide) His reaction is extreme hyperactivity and moodiness.

It has been known for quite some time that food intolerances can mimic ADHD. So why, when a child has known food intolerances are they still quick to point to ADHD?

I am disheartened right now when it comes to doctors listening to parents. I know my child. I also know that there is something going on. For now his labels are global developmental delay ~ NOS ... The Sensory Integration is I suppose an informal diagnosis now.

Our other concern with Benji right now is that we notice while he is sleeping there is a lot of restlessness. Normally that wouldn't bother me because I know little ones can be active in their sleep. But that combined with moments throughout the day where he just stares off has me concerned. Working on getting in to the doc... again. Praying the suspicion is wrong.

Progess

I am so happy. Benji is nearly reached a HUGE milestone. He has been potty training for over two years now, and while I know we will have set backs... He is doing GREAT!!! Finally.

We have had very few daytime accidents in the last month. He is going to the bathroom regularly and that includes the BMs. At night he's doing good. Doesn't stay dry every night but he is doing better than big brother.

I believe part of what has helped in potty training is the potty scotty training pants. A friend of ours had ordered a pair for her child and they were the wrong size, so she offered them to us to try. The first week, Benji still had a couple accidents but was a lot more aware that he needed to go potty. He has gotten to the point now where we use the potty scotty for bed time and he is in just regular underwear during the day.

I am absolutely thrilled!

I do need to say that Benji is a special needs child. He is developmentally delayed. Potty Training has been a very difficult road for us. For him his potty routine is the first thing that gets thrown out of wack with major schedule changes. (school break, discharge from therapy, etc)

Wordless Wednesday

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