A Day in Z's Life

I haven't talked about FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) lately.  For any newcomers, our Z has FAS.  He was diagnosed with it when he was a little over a year old, but he was born with it, as a result of being exposed prentally to alcohol.  We have been very blessed to have this early diagnosis, and I have been able to get involved with a great support system that has made this diagnosis not nearly as scary as it would have been otherwise. 

Z did very well his first year of life.  So well, that I didn't even notice any delays.  After he reached a year, I began noticing some sensory issues, and also speech delays.  He did in-home therapy for awhile, and then in May, he began attending a theraputic daycare full-time. We all thought this was the best for him, to get the best early intervention he could get. 

It is a great school that he was attending, but quickly we noticed changes in him.  This was also around the time we moved to a new home, and he also turned 2, so it was hard to say what brought about the changes.   They weren't changes for the better.  In fact, at the time, I thought it was even more reason why he needed to be in this school. 

Once our adoption was finalized, we got settled in our new home and  began homeschooling again, we began talking about his behavior, his learning, and decided we wanted to bring him back home.  Our daily structure is unique, in that Daddy C is home during the day most weekdays, and I homeschool our 3 oldest children.  Baby C was also attending school with Z, but he barely qualified, and I really wanted to bring him home too.   I will be honest, I was very nervous about having everyone home everday, and being all that they need me to be.

We have had both boys home for over a month, and I think it was a great decision.  We are continuing outpatient therapy at their old school, and they have the same therapists.  They have told me that Z is doing really well now, and they have noticed a difference in him since coming home with us.  He is much calmer.  We have noticed that too.  His speech has improved greatly.  He never talked when he was at school, but he just jabbers and repeats all the time now.  

 See, it is important for children with FAS to have structure, and I was so worried that I could not give them that, but I can, just in a different way, and it turns out what our family is doing at home, is better for Z and C.   Am I saying it is all roses?  Absolutely not.  But it works well for us.  The kids do well having 2 parents home teaching them.  Z is learning so much more b/c he has 5 people teaching him everyday. 

I have spent a lot of time researching, and also sitting in on therapy sessions, and talking to Z's OT.   We are working on a sensory diet with Z, and it is going great for him, and also for C too.  Little C didn't qualify for OT, but has sensory issues as well, and the things I have learned for Z are helping him too. 

 And.....the big kids like the sensory activities as well.  They take turns interacting with the boys, and sometimes they respond better to them than to me.  Z will only let N play this game with him...he tells the girls to go away when they try to play it with him :) 

 (they are wearing their crocheted hats they got from Children's Hospital)

Here they are blowing soft balls with straws...

 I talk to the big kids, and encourage them, let them know how to teach the boys, and explain to them how Z learns differently, and how much we can help them.  They get so excited everytime he learns something new.   How many 8 yr olds use the word "sensory activities" in their daily vocabulary?  It made me laugh the other day as I heard L talking about it.

 He loves the mini trampoline...will jump for a really long time...and takes turns asking people to jump with him.  He has good coordination, and does well jumping on it.  It is low to the ground, so he can jump off easiliy, but usually stays on really well.

 He loves this particular book we got from the library.  We will miss it when it is time to turn it in.  He does best with reading time in the evenings, when he is finally tired, he can sit still easier to be read to.

 Our peanut ball again...still one of the best purchases ever