Therapy Progress

Happy Thursday.  It's the day before I begin my long weekend of working, so it's not so happy for me!  :(  I think I'll just hold a baby all day!

I just wanted to update on Grace's progress with therapy.

We are seeing our speech therapist, ML on an as needed basis.  Grace is doing really well with many different foods and textures.  She does great with both smooth and lumpy foods.  I often use a food mill to make food for her.  I also mash or cut up different foods.  She is still eating baby food mixed with crackers, and she is handling that texture really well.  She still gags on slippery foods, like peaches.  We are currently working on getting her to transition from the bottle.  I thought it wasn't going so well, but according to ML, Grace is doing good with transitioning.  Haha...just goes to show you that I still really don't know a whole lot about ST.  Who knew eating was so complicated?!  Grace will take thin liquids, such as juice or milk, from a spoon, as well as from the edge of a cup.  She still refuses a sippy cup.  It's hard to really understand sometimes when I may be pushing her too hard versus just behavior.  She sometimes fusses when I am working with her, but we do have to work on it, so I push past the tears without (hopefully) pushing too hard!  We are also desperately trying to work on self-feeding!  This is a combination of ST and OT.  We are finally making progress with this!!  For the first time ever, Grace let me help her feed herself a puff last night!  I videod it today (see below).  She used to totally refuse for me to bring her hand to her mouth during feeding times.  I think we are making progress!!

Our physical therapist, KC is helping Grace learn how to crawl!  I posted a video of this a few posts back.  Grace continues to make progress with this.  Our main task currently is finding something to motivate Grace with to crawl.  KC and I are stumped!  She has definitely learned what to do to crawl, she just is very content to sit where she is.  :(  Any suggestions are appreciated!

Our occupational therapist, KP is helping Grace learn how to hold onto objects for longer, as well as use her hands together.  Because of her ACC (agenesis of the corpus callosum), Grace doesn't really use her hands together.  But she is learning!  She is using her hands together to grab balloons, as well as one of her favorite toys, a red bowl.  Sounds boring, right?!  Who knew I could've just saved all the money I've spent on buying her fancy toys?!  Balloons and a red bowl.  Haha!  Here are some pictures of Grace doing really well for OT at home.

 Both hands!

 KP says this is a higher level skill

 Rrreeeeaaaach!!!

The infamous red bowl! 

I am very pleased with my sweet girl!  She is such a hard worker and has so much strength and determination!  Anytime I'm feeling tired and not really wanting to do her therapies, I just think about her strength, and I am able to continue working hard for her.  I won't fool you into thinking this is easy...it is NOT!  We go to therapy every Wednesday and Thursday (did I mention we don't live close to our therapy place??), and we do daily therapy at home.  I try to make everything teachable but fun for Grace.  I've said this from the beginning, but she is my feisty fighter!  Go, Grace!!  :)

And here's one last picture of my baby girl!  Isn't she just beautiful?!