Facial Gazing

Most infants are known to love faces. They start by studying their mothers face and then are usually drawn to peoples faces. When Gregory was 6 weeks old I noticed that my face was very overwhelming for him to look at, especially while I was holding him. I would lay in on the floor or put him in his swing and stand across the room to try and engage him. It was extremely hard for me to understand why my son could not look at me. Through floortime and RDI I learned that it wasn't me, it wasn't that he didn't love me, but it was because his sensory system and mostly his vision where not working right for him. I can't imagine what it felt like to be in his little body. He was very tactile defensive (hated being touched) and he would flinch at things coming toward him. I think his convergence speed was very slow. Slowly we worked on all of these things. We found an exceptional OT who helped us work on integrating his senses through brushing, swinging, excercises to build his strength... All systems were worked. It has made so much difference for him. The change in this boy is amazing. BUT, I still have been concerned about his ability to gaze at another persons face with ease. It still seemed awkward. He would look but then quickly look away. Maybe it was too overwhelming to sustain the gaze. He got his information (the reason for looking) and left quickly. Well over the past week things have been changing. Day by day I see this ability to sustain the gaze longer. He can shift his gaze more quickly from one thing to another, to another persons face and then back to mine. Seems as though his processing is speeding up. The only thing we are doing right now is HBOT. This is more then just subtle. A lot of people have noticed it. A girl who comes and plays with Gregory on Monday afternoons mentioned it to me today. She works at a school for children with autism. She had said in the past that his facial gazing or eye contact, as some call it was not as great as she would like to see it. Today she said he was referencing her so much and really able to gaze at her face so much easier. His whole sensory system is changing. Since we started our second series of HBOT he is so much more affectionate. He gives big hugs all of the time and actually finally lets his sisters hug him. It seems like his body feels better and he is able to let his sweet little personality shine. I have always refered to him as the grouch. But lately he is so happy. We were at church on Sunday and he smiled at everyone. Usually he would hide his head on my arm but not this week. A man at church said, he is such a smiley happy boy, he responds to everyone with big smiles. He asked me if he is always so happy? I said, yes, well lately he has been. This was not our regular church so he did not know Gregory's history. We are kinda past that now, I think. I don't feel like I have to explain his history anymore. In the past when he would not look at someone or respond to them I felt the need to explain what we were going through. I don't feel the need these days. Gregory can usually hold his own. Sure he has his bad days but that is not our norm anymore. I have to thank God first for guiding us on this journey. For leading us to all of the right people that were able to give me the information I needed to help my son. Gregory is headed in the right direction. His development continues at age level and I pray that he will stay on this path and he will continue to flash that amazing smile at everyone he sees!
My favorite conversation we had today:

Gregory~ Mommy can you open this for me (a little bag of candy corn)

Me~ Sure sweetie. Then I gave it to him

Gregory~ Thank you Mommy.

Gregory~ I love you so much.

Me~I love you too baby boy.

Gregory~ Mommy do you have work today?

Me~ Yes, I have to leave soon.

Gregory~ Will you come right back after you see your patients?

Me~ of course!

I Love this boy!!!!!!!!!