I really believe our oldest daughter Michaiah is functioning so well and at school in her daily life because of the encouragement and the fostering of her development. Michaiah is receiving both speech and occupational therapy at the school. Though she is in a contained class, she still has general education curriculum along with sensory breaks and opportunities to use coping mechanisms that will allow her to better regulate her behavior. Michaiah must learn how to cope and self soothe if and when she were to ever integrate to a general education classroom. Though she does do this for the most part, it is not yet fully consistent at this time.
We also notice as parents, just like any other child, she is her own little person. A diagnosis or educational classification in this case, does not define who she is. She still has her likes and dislikes just like you or me. We do notice she is more motivated to work at something when it is a particular topic of interest. In her case, she is extremely motivated by both math and science! She also really enjoys art! We work on cultivating her gifts as parents. There are no limits that we place on her. We look to the potential of her overall full development, yet love on her where she is at. No matter how long it takes or the effort, the more we stick by Michaiah as parents, the more we see her desiring to learn and grow! Boy does she ever ask a TON of questions; especially lately! Everything is ‘why’ these days! Though it drives us crazy as parents, we are grateful she can even have conversation. Can you imagine how frustrating it would be for her not to verbally be in a position to communicate with us? It was not long ago that she had an extremely limited vocabulary! Having in-home therapy and advocating for her classroom program at school has made all the difference! Yes there are so many meetings and meetings for meetings. It can be draining, but when you see your child getting proper support and help in a way that you can truly see effective change like we have, it sure makes our hearts sing! We are overjoyed at all the progress she has made in the last few years of her little life!
We don’t know what the future holds as of yet. We were able to go through our local community health for an actual medical diagnosis. Had we not done this, we would be on quite a waiting list. Michaiah also has an acting neurologist who checks in on her and will be evaluated for genetic testing here in the month of March 2018. We will for sure keep you posted. Us parents sure are looking forward to some answers that only certain blood tests will ever reveal. It’s been a bit of a battle with the insurance approving it, but each step we take, we are getting closer to an answer. Knowing we may have some answers soon makes the fight worth it all. As parents, we know and have come to expect that this is a day by day journey. We do know one thing, our love for one another and the hope that each of us shares together. We did not ask for this, we did not expect this as parents that we would ever be faced with some of the decisions and choices we have had to make it. I can honestly say as a mother, there isn’t any regret that either of us have as her parents. We embrace it, all of it, the challenges, the tantrums, the laughter, the silliness, and the love! Both of our girls were the best thing that ever happened!!! Now lets get this journey started!!! <3
