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November 16, 2002
11/16/02 An entry all about Jarod
As I mentioned in my entry about our trip to TN, October was full of appointments. Jarod also went back to the feeding clinic to have his progress assessed. Everyone was very pleased with the way he chewed his food and drank from his cup, with and without the sippy lid. We talked about what he would eat now and how to expand his meals even further. Jarod was getting over a cold so he didn’t eat more than two bites of the pears I brought. But he did allow me to touch his cheeks with the jiggly vibrating chew toy we use at home. A few months before, he wouldn’t have let me come near him with it.
Connie, the nutritionist, read out Jarod’s weight and height stats. Since his first appointment in July, Jarod had gained 2.5 lb and 2 inches! Everybody oohed and ahhed over that for a few minutes. They asked if he was still mostly drinking his calories in the form of Pediasure. I said yes and Connie asked if it was regular or the kind with fiber. I told her that kind with fiber used soy for the fiber and I didn’t think his stomach could handle it, judging by his violent reaction to soy formula. I told them about his recent acceptance of some table foods like, spaghetti noodles with sauce and rice with gravy. They all made notes and said how wonderful he was doing in such a short time. I felt so proud of him, my big boy.
The funniest part of the whole appointment was his reaction to Terry, the occupational therapist that works in the clinic. If you remember from a past entry, Terry had forced her way into Jarod’s mouth at his first appointment and made him throw up and gag several times. He kept one eye on her from start to finish at this appointment. When he wouldn’t eat any more pears, Terry cooed to him softly, “Just one more bite, for me, please.” Almost on cue, Jarod (who had his head down slightly) looked up, cut Terry a quick sideways glance and looked away as if he was disgusted. Terry and I burst into laughter. It was as if Jarod was saying, “Bite *me*, lady.”
Terry slid her chair towards Jarod and took his sippy cup from the highchair tray. She said to him, “Drink a little water and then I’ll leave you alone.” Jarod opened his mouth and sipped from the cup without the lid. Everybody cheered like he had just won the lottery. Jarod smiled, obviously proud of himself, but not really sure why he should be. Terry pushed her chair back and said, “I’m satisfied, Jarod, I don’t need to see anymore. Mom and Jennifer are doing a great job with you.” Jarod acted like he knew his performance was over and he instantly returned to his bubbly, animated self. Teresa, his social worker, said she would sign a release form so CRS would continue to pay for his therapy.
We talked for a few minutes about Jennifer’s concern over Jarod’s underdeveloped speech. Teresa and I were scheduled to meet the next Tuesday to have him evaluated in the Early Intervention office. We also talked about bringing Jaida in to the feeding clinic. Since the school system was being so rigid, Teresa wanted to help me get around them and maybe get Jaida some services that way. It was pretty certain she would benefit from some occupational therapy. When we were done, Jarod and I left and I took him home.
The following Tuesday, we went to the EI office and met Teresa. There was also a lady named Diane. Teresa explained that they would both be doing two separate tests at the same time. Diane and Teresa asked all sorts of questions about Jarod’s skills. They had Jarod do simple tasks like putting a cheerio into a bottle and taking it out with verbal prompts and no gesturing. As always, there was no doubt about his receptive speech and his expressive was obviously behind. When the testing was over, Teresa and Diane talked. They said he wasn’t really delayed 25% in any other areas. Diane said that Teresa could use “professional judgment” and accept him into EI that way. I was squirming in my seat, hoping they would put him in the program. Finally, Teresa said they would let a speech pathologist decide after a full evaluation. She said someone would call me later to set up the time.
A week later, a lady named Beth called to set up the speech eval for Jarod. She said she would come to our house. I explained that Jarod stayed home with my mom and I would come home from work and be present for the testing. I told her that after the first few sessions, I would let her give my mom any instructions so I wouldn’t have to miss work. The morning of the eval, Beth was late. Teresa had explained that she had a new baby, so I was sympathetic. She came in with a giant tote bag filled with toys. Jarod immediately dove into it and started pulling things out. Beth tried to engage him with an Elmo doll that said his body parts when each one was squeezed. Jarod was more interested in her car keys and pen.
Jarod was being very uncooperative and he wouldn’t point to his nose or eyes when Beth asked. I knew he could, but I guess we have company so infrequently, he was too excited. After about 30 minutes, Beth packed up her toys and prepared to leave. She said she would have to score his tests and then she would let Teresa know her professional opinion in a few days. Later in the week, Teresa called to say that Jarod had officially been accepted for EI and Beth would be coming to visit him once a week for an hour. I breathed a sigh of relief knowing that Jarod would get the help he needed and I wouldn’t have to fight for it like I had with Jaida. I knew what could happen with waiting it out and I was proud of myself for pursuing this to the end.
I am happy to report that Jarod’s appetite for solid food is growing more every day. He now sits at the table in a booster seat when we eat with a plate of his own. Mostly, he plays with the food and makes a mess, but that’s okay. Terry said he may need to see a new food 30 times or more before he will accept it or taste it voluntarily. And making a mess will help him with his tactile sensitivity. Jennifer encourages messy play and letting him squish food between his fingers and smear it all over his body. Lately he acts like he doesn’t really want his bottle but he still doesn’t eat what I would call a full meal. I think he might be on the way to eating regularly.
Until next time,
Kim, Jaida & Jarod
PS- If anybody is interested in seeing pictures from our trip, the link is:
http://babiesonline.com/babies/n/nowucme
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