Who wants a carrot?

What a crazy day!  Remind me to stop stacking everything into my day off.  It's just a bit insanity.  Although I will say that we stayed on time, and we were never late for any appointment.  I need an award!

First stop....occupational therapy.  We've had concerns over the past 3-5 days that Nea is doing much more head banging than usual.  That's an increase sensory need that requires "A"s input.   Nea did very well in therapy but when she was swinging and spinning she said, "Ow, hurt."  "A" stopped the swing and asked her what hurt..."your head or your ear".  Nea responded, "Ear hurt, ow."  No more spinning for the day, but they worked really hard in the tunnels.  "A" wants us to get a compression shirt from UnderArmor and continue to work her vestibular system.  Your vestibular system is what keeps you balanced and aware of your body in space.  The sensations originate in your inner ear....and if she complains of it hurting, plus increased head banging, plus doing some more frequent tripping.....  (no worries, I already had plans to see the pediatrician after therapies).  The best way to "exercise" this sense is to let her fall onto soft services.  So standing on a ball, and falling onto her bean bag is a great exercise.  That sensation of falling is a way to improve the vestibular system.

Weekend crankiness

Next stop....Speech therapy.  Great session.  Lots of matching and engaging play.  She even showed us some of her deductive reasoning skills which was really exciting to watch!  She's getting so much better with language and she's starting to pay closer attention to correction of words.  So when she says "cruck", Diana will stop, put her fingers near her mouth and say..."not cruck, it's truck.  Say t-t-t-t"  And Nea responds in a positive way.  Great work with puzzles and attention to stick with completion.

Moving on......pediatrician.  Clearly we need to see what's going on with these ears.  I work with some amazing pediatric experts who I also call friend.  The pediatrician looked in her ears and said they were clear, but may have some fluid behind them.  She suggested Dimetapp for a few days to see if that doesn't help.  "A" also had explained that many autistic kiddos are more sensitive to barometric changes.  Okay, a game plan is made!

Karen, Chica and Nea at Jamba Juice

Third stop.....the dentist.  Now this is a brand new experience for us.  And no matter any kind of preparation verbally was not going to work for her.  I didn't have enough time to make pictures so I could do a story board with her, so we were both on uncharted territory.

I chose a pediatric dentist who was recommended by Nea's OT and works with special needs kids.  

Let me just say right at the beginning that this was the best dang referral we've had thus far in her life!  

The waiting room was inviting, the toys were fun and the television was on NickJr with Dora greeting us when we walked in.  The dental hygienist came to get us and we both went back to the room.  Nea crawled right up into the chair, excited to be in a new place.  

Televisions on the ceiling!?!?  Oh that was very fun and Nea was very intrigued.  The hygienist let her pick out a new toothbrush and then it was time to lay back.  Nea was hesitant at first, but the hygienist asked me if I thought a weighted xray vest would help.  Ohhh, this isn't her first rodeo!  

The lead xray vest did help to relax her and she opened her mouth to see her reflection in the little mirror.  She let her polish her teeth, and she didn't really care about the floss either.  (mental note made....we haven't tried that yet)  However, that new toothbrush she picked out now had a new purpose.  She put some fluoride gel on there and Nea opened her mouth willingly again.  However that fluoride stuff was NOT one of her favorite things.  I'm pretty sure I'm not going out on a limb here to say that she really, really hated it.  When that brushing was over....the girl was ready to be done!

Then the dentist came in.  And I LOVED her from the second she said hello.  This woman is kid friendly, special needs friendly and knows exactly what she's talking about. She taught me a few things too, which I very much appreciated.

1) Baby teeth are important.  Yes she'll lose them, but her molars she'll keep for 12 years.  Help her take care of them.
2)  Cavities in baby teeth can possibly cause infection.  Remember, her permanent teeth are in her mouth, don't let a cavity cause an infection and raid her permanent teeth. (ohh!  that never occurred to me)

3)  If she ever has to have any major work done....sedation in the hospital. 

4)  As far as the pacifier, you have to do what you need to do.  I'm not worried, there's still time that her mouth will change and it sounds like you're transitioning anyway.  Don't worry about it.

Nea got a great report!  NO cavities, her teeth looked "gorgeous" and there seems to be enough space at this point.  The top teeth may get crowded later down the line, but not too worrisome now.  Nea  was so brave and did such an amazing job.  I'm just so proud of her!!  The dentist's parting words were, "Keep doing what you're doing!"

Hmmmm......those carrots must be working!