Well, it's definitely been quite some time since I've made a post. The last time was back in February when we got Hudson's official diagnosis. That was a hard day. I was also dead set against putting Hudson in the pre-kindergarten program as well. A lot has changed since then.
As of last week, I have officially sent in the application form for Hudson to go into the pre-kindergarten program. Last year he was eligible to attend as well, but we chose to opt out of it as he still had a lot to come with his speech. He has made amazing progress in this last year. I do believe we did make the right decision last year as he definitely needed to focus more on working with his speech vs attending pre k, although it was a very extremely hard decision as I did really want to send him to be able to learn things and have the peer support he needed. A year later, a lot has changed and he now still does need help with speech therapy, but also needs to be introduced to things in the school setting and Learn other things also. To make up for the peer support thing, we put Hudson's name on a waiting list at the local daycare to go Part-Time. In July, a part time spot opened up and he's been going ever since. I believe he also has progressed a lot from going to daycare to be there for his peer support. Although he gets so upset when we drop him off sometimes even still a year later, I know he has fun and I know it's good for him.
The very unfortunate part of Hudson going into the pre-kindergarten program is that Hudson will loose all his health services. So his SLP he's been seeing since he was 2. This is going to be a very sad day when this day comes. She's done amazing with him and he's come so far. He would never be where he is if it wasn't for her. Not only has she helped, but Hudson is so comfortable with her. This is a big deal because Hudson is so shy it takes a very long time to warm up to someone. He looks forward to going to see her.
Along with Speech Sevices, Hudson will loose his Physio & Occupational Therapy services. These wonderful ladies have been working with him since he was about 2.5 years old. PT has been working with his walking, running, jumping, kicking, Ect. When Hudson crawled, he never really "crawled". He bum scooted. That being said he would have his left leg out in front of him and his right leg bent and pointed outwards. This caused him to have severe delays in walking properly. He actually never took his first steps until he was 23 months old. So he was extremely delayed. When he did start walking his foot that he angled outwards, pointed outwards permanently when he would walk. This caused problems. He was very clumsy because of this and couldn't keep his balance. So she's done great with him helping correct this and doing other things as well.
OT started seeing him a bit after we started with PT. She works on his fine motor skills, such as beading, drawing, colouring, pinching small objects, any of that kind of things. He does better but still needs help. I have to help him eat a lot of the time as he has trouble using a spoon or a fork and keeping the food on it until he gets it to his mouth. He is getting better but needs help sometimes.
At our last therapy appointments, they both didn't need to see him for 3 months so that was great news. We will see them this week and see where we go from there. If it's another 3 months then that appointment will be our last. I am not sure if he can get these therapies come to Coronach once he is under the ministry of education vs the ministry of health services that he is under currently. I will have to look into that.
When Hudson starts the pre-kindergarten program he will should see the SLP there 2X a week. It will just be hard start as he will have to get used to her and this may take some time.
Since he was diagnosed with Severe Childood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) I had our SLP fill out a disability form and hopefully he will get approved for that. It's been quite some time and I've not yet heard back, so will have to try and get a hold of them. I know that won't go well though, it's near impossible to get a real person from the government on the phone. If he does eventually get approved for this, which I don't see why he wouldn't, I plan to hire Private Speech Therapy to come to our house once he starts school in hopes to help with this therapy.
At our last appointment with our SLP, I told her our plans for this fall. It was hard to tell her. I even got tears when I was telling her. She said he can continue to come for the summer. I think until the end of July or middle of August I can't remember what she said. Although, I won't miss the 2 hours drive each way twice a month I will miss taking him to see her.
If memory serves me correct I believe it said all the pre-kindergarten applications have to be sent in but the end of the month. Hudson, fortunately does have an advantage in the application process as children with a learning disability are chosen first over a child who doesn't. So he should definitely be accepted. I believe they have 14 spots. 2 get held back until September in case and new children move here over the summer with intensive needs. After then and if that needs isn't needed they will fill them I believe.
To wrap up this entry of the blog. We just finished celebrating Childhood Apraxia Awareness Day. It was last Sunday on May 14th. This day is designed for anyone with Apraxia to share awareness. It's on May 14th every year. This year just happened to be on Mothers Day also! I had my very talented sister make Hudson a shirt and I ordered nail wraps with the apraxia symbol. Wearing blue is helping show support for everyone on this day who struggles with this. I was hoping to find somewhere close that would be doing a walk for Apraxia but nowhere seemed to do it. Should just organize our own walk next year but I don't know if anyone would even show up for it 😢
Well that's all I have for now. Sorry for the long post. Hope I wasn't dragging on too much😀
I will try and update this more, life just gets busy.
As always, i Thank- you for all your continued support for our little guy ❤️
Here are some pictures from our Apraxia Awareness Day!!
