Is it Aspergers?

We have gotten to a good point but I am feeling there is more work to be done. I spend so many hours a day wondering if things are just right or not. I love my little guy with all of my heart and I love the little person he has become, but I wonder if all of his little quirks won't be something bigger someday that will make life hard for him. The subtle rocking, the fleeting eye contact, the subtle tactile sensitivities, and the need to chew and suck. They are very obvious to me but to others I am not so sure. His teachers say he is doing amazing. The thing is he has so many good things going for him so maybe those other things are overlooked. I am afraid if I don't start getting more help for him now all of the quirks that unsettle my stomach will become big issues for him to deal with later.

We have spent all of our savings to help Gregory, we have nothing left. The only way I can continue to help him with OT and RDI is if we get a diagnosis for him. Will a diagnostician see what I see and listen to my concerns? That is my worry. Do I spend more money for someone to tell me he is smart? I need to find someone who looks at his development through RDI eyes. Finding that person is the challange. I sure hope I can figure this out soon because I can't stand feeling that I am not doing enough for this precious child.

Signs of Autism

Gregory was about 6 weeks when I started typing those words into my search engine on this computer. In the wee hours of the morning with knots in my belly and the feeling of a brick in my head I would type it over and over to see if I couldn't possibly find something to give me a hint of what was going on with my baby boy. Wow I have learned so much over the past 3 years! Well almost 3 years. He will be 3 on March 4. Thinking about his first year of life brings back memories of pain, great fear and lots of sadness. I was scared, scared out of my mind and most of the reason was because there was no information, no resources, and nobody really new what to tell me. Finally I found some wonderful people who believed me and saw Gregory struggling with me but still at the end of the day I felt alone! It was my job. He was my baby. I was in charge. I needed to do the remediating and healing. I felt like the world was on my shoulders. As I am sure most parents feel. It can be overwhelming. I wish I could get rid of all of those feelings. I want to think of his infancy as cuddly and warm, but I don't.

He is pretty amazing these days. We are at a good place right now. I am guiding thanks to RDI (relationship development intervention) and I am nurturing his sense of self thanks to The Nurtured Heart Approach. These 2 parenting styles in combination are amazing. RDI is hands on. Being in an interaction with a child and helping them grow and stretch their self to be more competent in relationship. Nurtured Heart Approach helps the child feel good about themselves. It helps them strive for greatness because they can see it in themselve. I spotlight to my kids when they are showing greatness which is many many times a day.

Could you imagine being a young child and being told how great you are many times a day. And not just that you are great but why you are so great. I love this!!!

Happy New Year!

Gregory and his cousin Ava dancing on New Years Eve.