The Latest Illness
I have a lot to catch everyone up on! I will start with the most recent. I had to take Carsten to urgent care on Friday evening when he spiked a fever of 105.9º. That was way too high for my comfort. We got there and he was checked out and found to have strep throat. Poor guy! The doctor also said it sounds like his croup may be back. We haven’t heard any seal barking coughs lately so we don’t think so. He is doing better now, but still not 100%.
On Friday morning I took Carsten for a hearing test. I have had concerns about his hearing for about 7 months now. He did really well and he is hearing speech sounds within normal limits. He did not respond to the pure tones well, but the doctor said when they are this young they are not interesting enough to warrant attention. We will recheck his hearing in 4 months to see how he does then.
A week ago Tuesday I had an SLP and an Early Interventionist come out to evaluate him. For the past 7 months I have been concerned about his speech, or lack there of. After his evaluation, he does qualify for speech therapy and is on the waiting list. As his mom, and an SLP, I know what I should be doing and we do so much language bombardment but sometimes they learn more from people other than their moms. So we will see how that comes out.
Camden is doing great! He really enjoyed the last unit they did at school. It was all about space. They made the moon and Saturn and the very first day he told me about how we don’t have 9 planets anymore. That Pluto is not really a planet it is an “ice ball.” It is really exciting to see him learn! Kindergarten is going to be very big adventure!
Aunt Dianna said,
April 20, 2008 @ 10:56 am
Glad to hear Carsten’s on the mend. Unfortunately, it’s always one thing after another with little ones.
I remember Brian was quite old when he finally started talking in earnest, so it must run in the family. He’s got big brother to intercede so why should he be bothered! 😉
Dad said,
April 20, 2008 @ 3:49 pm
I’m thinking one day he’s open up and tell you he just never had anything interesting to say.
I’m glad he is feeling a bit better. Poor kiddo. 🙁
GG said,
April 20, 2008 @ 9:03 pm
And as an SLP, you notice lack of speech much more quickly than we poor “ordinary” people would. Brian has made up for late talking! I hope that another four months will show a change. The fact that you use sign language may also slow down the necessity of communicating verbally, also. Or am I wrong about that?
Carsten is just the age to have strep throat, ear infections, and every bad thing that comes along. Oh, yes, mustn’t forget croup, although we would like to!
It is amazing how much kids enjoy learning about the planets, etc. It seems to be such an interesting subject for them. I’m glad that he stays well.
GG said,
April 20, 2008 @ 9:04 pm
Whoops! I forgot to put Camden’s name in that last paragraph. I didn’t mean to slight him!
Aunt Donna said,
April 20, 2008 @ 9:55 pm
In 5th grade, I learned Mary’s Violet Eyes Make Johnny Sit Up Nights Pining. That stands for Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Pluto (which was still a planet back then!). I never forgot it. I’m not sure how useful it is in my daily life, but maybe it will help Camden who may end up being an astronomer or scientist!
Hope Carsten feels better. I have a nasty cold right now too, so I feel for him. Warm weather should help everyone get well soon.
Heather said,
April 21, 2008 @ 6:12 am
About signing- The research shows that it should enhance verbal output rather than hinder it. We never just sign, it is always paired with the verbal output as well. The signing is just easier for younger kids.
I hope you feel better Donna!
Daryl said,
April 21, 2008 @ 11:14 am
My father used to tell a joke:
Little Johnny never spoke a word, all through his childhood. His parents were concerned at first, but finally just accepted him as he was.
One day when he was 13 years old, at breakfast he suddenly looked up and said, “Mom, you burned the bacon”.
His mother’s mouth fell open and she said, “Johnny! You can speak! Why didn’t you ever say anything before?”
Johnny just shrugged and said, “Well, everything’s been OK up till now”.