Nothing Short of a Miracle

Ashton is 2 years and 8 months old today.

It has been over a year since he was diagnosed with Autism.

This past year has been full of developmental progress in Ashton's world! All those who come in contact with him can see this plain as day. Our previous post was an update on his last appointment we had at the CDC, and also informed of the upcoming appointment with the developmental psychologist, Dr. Natalie Roth, for today...August 27, 2008.

Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that it is based on a numeral scale. We all fall on the spectrum, however Autism is highest on the scale. Like other children being monitored for disabilities, Ashton, has been tested by this psychologist twice now using the ADOS exam, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. This process determines where individuals lay on the spectrum. Starting with zero, 0-6 is where we are considered "normal", we all have quirks and differences from one another...and even if we don't feel "normal" at times..., speaking in spectrum terms, we are. Then, there are the numbers 7-11. This is where people are diagnosed as having a "spectrum disorder". Lastly, anything above a 12 on the scale is Autism, the closer to twelve the milder the case. Last year when Ashton was tested, as you may remember, he scored a 13...as having mild Autism. At that time Dr. Roth explained that with Early Intervention and different therapies, progress on the spectrum could be reduced 4 to even 6 numbers on the scale, which would put Ashton as being in the "spectrum disorder" range. Today I report with tear-filled eyes that Ashton has recovered from Autism scoring a 3 today! A three, not 4, 5, or 6 in the normal range, but a 3!

Everything that my son has stood for since even before his time on this earth has been nothing short of a miracle! Who is this kid and what important things is he here to teach us? Hooray! We have worked so hard and Ashton has responded to every resource available with progress! The best thing I heard today was Dr. Roth say that she has only seen maybe 1 other case where there has been this much progress and recovery! I understand that this may not be possible for all Autism cases, but the potential and resources available for working towards recovery is endless!


For the rest of the appointment we discussed how there is a issue with speech. She said that by now there should be more improvement with his speech and language to have it still be considered a "delay", so with how things stand now he would fall into the category of having a disorder. Actually, we met earlier this month with a speech therapist who diagnosed him with a mild to moderate receptive and expressive language disorder, which we are now already in weekly therapy for. Thoughts from both the therapist and psychologist are that he will catch back up in this area as well and will continue a "normal" life in regular school. For now he still qualifies with his speech to continue in his Early Intervention Program. He remains there until he turns three, then will move into an integrated preschool where there are children like him along with other peer models. Once there he will continue to work on speech and prepare for main-streamed kindergarten.

As far as further resources go, Dr. Roth is changing his diagnoses to "possible PDD", Pervasive Developmental Disorder, showing that he is still being monitored because of his history with Autism. However, she also told us that she hesitates even putting the "possible PDD" label in his chart because she believe he doesn't have it, but this way resources will still be available to him throughout the following year and he can keep benefiting from them. We are to meet with Dr. Roth again in a year for a final analysis just to make sure no new issues have appeared.

I am so happy for my boy! Thank you friends, family, teachers, doctors, therapists and strangers for your efforts in Ashton's behalf! It definitely takes a village to raise a child...and a informed world to reverse Autism!

Autism Speaks. It's time to Listen.

My Sweet Boy

It is no new news that Ashton lights up any room he enters! I am still so proud of my little man...but quite possible more so now than ever before!

First of all, Bink broke. "Uh-Oh", Ashton will say each and every time he sees it, or is asked about it. I thought, that with his most prized possession no longer in working condition, that he'd have a rough go for a while...or at least until I gave in, but he surprised me. The picture is a timeless shot of Ashton with his Bink and Blank glued to him, while riding the Big-Wheel...classic!

Secondly, and the purpose for this post, is that we met with Ashton's neurodevelopmental team of doctors up at the Child Development Clinic this week. He greeted them with a wave and a enthusiastic "Hi!" before darting down through the halls with all of us, yes including the doctors, chasing after him! He finally stopped to play with his Physical Therapist, who had a ball to interact with him to start his analysis.

After about an hour of interaction with the doctors and discussion about his different areas of strength and weakness, the doctors explained Ashton and his progress like this... His gross and fine motor skills are all there and being practiced, however there is a mild delay over-all. He was rated at a 24-27 months age equivalency in that area...he is 31 months now. The doctor that worked with him in motor skills explained that he sees Ashton making the progress that should be there and sees him progressing just fine and eventually being right on track, however, for example he'd like to see him at this age jump higher, further and be more stable. His fine motor development is similar, just a few hairs short. He didn't want to show any discouragement, he was actually VERY impressed with his progress from the last time we met with him a year ago. So to that he said, just keep on doing what we're doing and those areas will catch up and fall into place. No concern at all. Yay!

His strengths were noted as being very social, tries to verbalize, and has supportive Early Intervention services that has helped him leaps and bounds. They were so impressed with his social that they wonder how his appointment with psychology next month will go...meaning they wouldn't be surprised if he's re-evaluated as not having Autism...and even less on the spectrum! Yay!

One area of concern is language delay. He is receiving some help from the Early Intervention program that he goes to twice a week, but they felt after watching him, and me expressing my concerns, that additional individualized speech and language therapy would be helpful. I explained Ashton as being a little bi-polar...no offense intended to anyone...because he is completely ecstatic about how life's treating him one moment and completely loosing it, hitting his head on the wall or floor and screaming/crying, the next. Only one or the other, happy or enraged. He did not display his angry side at his appointment, but after talking with the neurodevelopmental pediatrician about it we all felt that this is most likely due to the inability to communicate his wants or needs...or his ability to understand others at times. So off to additional therapy we go. I've contemplated this for a while now and to have the doctors confirm it was a good step.

As I talked with the pediatrician about Ashton's delays over the past 2 years, we both agreed and wonder if it is true that his delays may have started following his traumatic episode at 4 months old. That incident could have stunted his progress, only for a time, and now he's starting to catch back up. Dr Winter agreed that that could very well be. They have discussions there amongst the doctors about the fairness of diagnosing a young child with a label like Autism, Aspergers or PDD, and why it shouldn't just be noted as delays? They feel that in most circumstances it is beneficial to have some kind of diagnosis to be able to get the help needed...like through schooling and therapies, and we have learned that this is true. They mentioned Ashton is so good off right now, in fact, that they could move him on out of their clinic...but are leaving the mild delay diagnosis as it stands in case there is need for any other services along the way. Thank you Terry and Dr. Winter!

The doctor's all agreed and said Ashton was a delight, and a bit of fresh air that they don't regularly see up there. They thought he was so polite saying hi and good-bye, and were entertained by him... Most people that know Ashton seem to feel the same way, and he portrayed that in a one hour appointment! Great job Ashy!

Their other recommendations for Ashton were to continue through early intervention, other follow-ups as needed, and the re-evaluation of psychology to see where his diagnosis now stands. That appointment for all who are interested in knowing is on August 27th @ 10:30am.

A special thanks, and luvs, to all those who are active in Ashton's welfare. He has benefited from all those that spend time in his behalf and support him. Ashton has many followers that want to see him fully recovered and continuously progressing each day! We all love you Ashy! You are the twinkle in my eye!

Discovery Gateway

As close to Life Flight as we ever what to be...ever again

Snap!

What child doesn't love creating noise? For the July holidays I purchased 6 boxes of "snaps". I took one outside with Ashton to try it out... 4 boxes later we decided to save some for later. Ashton was sick, so this particular activity was a fun treat for him!

Goats, Pygmy Horses & Biting Chickens

Not a summer goes by these days without a trip to the Gardener Village petting zoo!...and we all know how Anthany feels about little goats! This year Ashton actually made his way around the "farm", looking at and touching the different animals, a lot different story than the previous year where he sat on one rock the entire time with a look of disgust on his face....

Last Year:

This Year:

*Aunt Kimmy can vouch for me that he literally did not leave that rock last year!

For anyone who ever visits a petting zoo, let all learn from my experience. Although there are no pictures to prove what happened, I assure you it did. I, or rather my finger, found out very quickly why they imprison chickens in chicken coupes. Do not stick your finger, or any other body part, through the holes of the chicken coupe! They do bite and bite HARD! The kids continuously reminded me the rest of our stay that we don't put our fingers in the coupe where those birds bite. Yes, I know.

The miniature pony rides are the best! The boys were a little hesitant at first, but they thought that they could handle the smallest pony. Ashton would have tried, but I'd have needed a second set of hands to maneuver that one! So he watched and cheered the other boys on! What fun we have!

Masquerade Ball

My cousin, Rebecca, had her 23rd Birthday this month. For her party she decided to go ALL out and have a Masquerade Ball to celebrate! Can I just say how fun it was to have the opportunity to dress to the 9's and at the same time party a little Halloween-style with masks? We had a great time with all our family and friends. Thank you Becca for the fun night, and for having a Birthday to celebrate this way! Happy Birthday!

Way Great Play Dates!

It's no secret that Ashton loves his cousin Emma as much as she loves him! They have started meeting at least once a week for some one-on-one fun time...and boy is it F-U-N! Some of the time they are at Grandma Nanny's, other times they play at each other's homes...but no matter where their dates are, it is fact that they never want to part and can't get enough of each other!

One of their favorite activities is when they meet for a game of pool. It makes everyone in the room nervous, but they haven't broke anything, or hurt anyone, yet!

In this here photograph it seems that they have discovered something in the grass at Nanny's house... and YES, it is doggy-doo! They (well mostly always Emma) seem to locate that stuff ANYWHERE in the yard, and then proudly find their moms to show them where it's at!

Old baby toys, from when Uncle-G was a baby, are still a hit! They've also played with these toys since the day they were born, and somehow those antiques still seem to entertain them!

THEY thought it was funny to sit on Poppy's weight bench...

Aunt Kimmy's house is another fun place to play! They write on the driveway, and write on themselves, with chalk, play in the sprinklers, and water the plants...

After a long day outside it's time for dinner, followed by the highlight of the evening...

BATH TIME!

Emma is such a mom already... She loves to help Ashton get clean, or maybe he's so stinky she can't wait to wash him off! Just Kidding Ashy!

On this occasion, their time together lasted through the night with a sleepover! They love to watch movies with each other while they play. The nights that Ash doesn't sleep over at Emma's, she wakes up in the morning calling.... "Ash!...Ashy!... Ash???", and supposedly asks for him randomly throughout the day. I'm sure if Ashton could say her name he'd do the same! He actually was saying "Ma" the other day after being with her, but we all know he's not saying mama...since he calls me "Baba"... hehe!

These two are more than just cousins!