Even when Rachel was a newborn, I knew there was something different about her. She came out of me, totally silent. She looked around the room taking everything in.The Nurse to get her to cry by rubbing and flicking her feet, s triedbut she just laid there.
When I brought Rachel home from the hospital, she never left my side. When she did, she erupted in uncontrollable crying.
I mentioned to Rachel's doctors at every visit that she was a very "clingy" baby and was only content when I would hold her and nurse her.
It was suggested by the doctor that we get Rachel a "binky", so she could learn to sooth herself, and give me a little break. She became very attached to the binky, not giving it up until she was 3 yrs old.
The binky did help, but as Rachel began crawling then eventually walking, the "fussiness" became more like tantrums. Rachel didn't walk on her own until she was almost 2 yrs old, the "fits" she had, I admit had her in my arms for most of the first 2 yrs of her life.
While I knew it wasn't helping Rachel to be constantly holding her...It seemed the only way, to have a relaxed baby. The whole "let her cry it out" thing, just wasn't something I was about to do with her.
As Rachel grew into a toddler and preschool age the attachment to me got less and less. She would go off on her own to play, but as soon as someone other than me, got into her space, she would scream and cry.Smells and loud noises also triggered Rachel to throw tantrums. She would gag with smells and cover her ears with noises like cars or the tv. She didn't like tags or "scratchy" clothing. All of the doctors reassured me that we just had a sensitive child, and just needed to be patient...she would surely outgrow this.
A recent round of tests, prompted by Rachel's constant complaints of leg pain, led into a direction, where all of the lights just seemed to go on. Xrays of Rachel's leg showed bowing and "inflammation". Neurospych evaluations began to show a bi-polar/ADHD/ sensory issues.Fitting the puzzle pieces together, finally gave us a diagnoses of Sensory Integration Disorder. It explained so much of what we were experiencing with Rachel. While I was happy to have the diagnoses I still refuse to slap a label on her. While labels can help us understand the problem, they can also limited the possibilities of a solution.
Check out this list for signs for SID. If you feel your child fits this diagnoses, please notify your child's doctor. This blog is NOT meant to give a diagnoses...just information.
I love Rachel! And Rosie does too! I love all your great kids and you also!
ReplyDeleteKristi,
ReplyDeleteI just want to put a bug in your ear as well, as this year has "figuring out" what all Koda needs....we found out thru a sleep study additional information. I don't know if you have had one done on her; but just a thought. It's weird what manifests when we don't sleep correctly. Its so easily misdiagnosed too. Koda has it as well, and our prayers are with you!
www.caringbridge.org/visit/koda
www.ricknvon.blogspot.com
Thanks sweetie--I appreciate that info. Man this can all be so overwhelming. You guys are in my thoughts!
ReplyDeleteWow...super GREAT information! You are amazing and strong. Our family follows this blog and finds it inspirational!
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely something I am going to watch for in Sawyer. We have always said he was a Momma's boy in the sense that he clings to me. Maybe it is more. We also have noticed how picky he is about stuff and is easily set off by, well just about anything. Thanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteI wish we had the internet when I was a child! I was such a difficult kid; sleeping problems, learning disabilities, NF, amplified senses, mood issues, social problems. Maybe if my family had the support of you Kristi and all of you wonderful people in the NF community I wouldn't be such a weird adult! :P <3 Much love as always for your information, stories, and support to all of us! (Also, the newborn photo? ADORABLE!!!! You have such beautiful children!!)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete"hello, your daughter has [insert innocuous issue blown out of proportion that we don't fully understand here]"
ReplyDeleteGive us as much money as you possibly can now.
RIGHT. NOW.
Thank you and have a good day.
There is the entire process of "diagnoses" in the US, in a nutshell.
"Oh, and here's a few counterproductive word-labels to slap on your child's face. Make sure to tell them so they alienate themselves from others and think there is a 'problem' with them, so we lower their self esteem... we'll need to have that as low as possible later so we can shamelessly exploit them later for personal gain. I'll make sure to put her on the 'weakened people to use' list... the Tel Aviv LOVES that list."
"in fact, in some states in the US, we are reaching a level of fascism that is SO awesome, that we are disallowing ANY ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR. And, regardless of the so-called 'definition' of normal... (like THAT matters, PSHH) we're gonna FORCE a child to be normal in the way that makes US MONEY! doesn't that sound great!? People have been around for many thousands of years... grocery stores have been around for maybe a few hundred... so when your child dislikes them, THEY have the problem... NOT US! We have the money... we can NEVER be wrong! Science? Knowledge? Common Sense?
WHO NEEDS THAT WHEN YOU OWN THE MEDIA?!? NOT US!
HOORAY!
Reality is whatever we say it is... BECAUSE WE SAY SO!
We don't care that you love your daughter, and she is a nice person, and a human being...
SHE'S A WALKING DISEASE!!! AAAHH STAY AWAY! YOU MIGHT CATCH SOMETHING!
I wish I could strap down most psychiatrists and beat the shit out of them.
It would be so satisfying... they have it coming times 100.