Re: UPDATE - Hip Hip Hooray! (LONG)

June 21, 2006

Hey everyone,

Just an update to Meg's story. Over the past month or so her

private SLP has been evaluating Meg's speech, because she has

suspected that Meg may be caught up. Here were the fantastic

results:

Last testing was in September 2005 (at age 2 years, 10 months). She

had attended 14 sessions of therapy with this SLP, as well as many

EI ST sessions with another SLP. The test used was PLS-4.

Receptive: standard score 107, 68th percentile. Expressive:

standard score 74, 4th percentile (this was actually much better

than we expected at the time). The SLP was unable to perform the

Goldman-Fristoe articulation measure because Meg didn't have enough

vocabulary to get an accurate result.

This is part of what her SLP said about her: " She plays and

interacts quietly unless pushed to use verbal language even when she

could use a familiar vocabulary word. In contrast, she does use a

type of 'jargon' when relaxed which consists mostly of reduplicated

syllables... Her vowel inventory, even in isolation, is limited.

She uses mostly the neutral vowel... She can use some other vowels,

but only in familiar, previously learned words. As treatment has

progressed...some frustration and temper tantrums have been

observed. Imitation clearly improves when Meg looks for visual

clues.... Meg is exhibiting a moderate-severe expressive language

disorder...a working diagnosis of apraxia of speech. It is clear

that Meg's speech disorder will not improve without intensive

therapy. " (BTW two months later an official diagnosis of apraxia was

given.)

Current testing (at age 3 years, 7 months). The test used was PLS-4

again. Receptive: standard score 110, 75th percentile.

Expressive: standard score 89 (at the low end of normal range!),

35th(?) percentile (the SLP noted that she thought Meg would've

scored higher if the test hadn't been so outdated - surpise Meg

didn't know what the picture of the typewriter was supposed to be!)

She also used another test (I think it was called CERT?) with even

better results that put her right in the 50th percentile for two

different expressive language measures and at about 75th percentile

for receptive. The SLP also performed the Goldman-Fristoe Artic

test and Meg's result was standard score of 83 (just a hair out of

the normal range). She expects that as Meg has more practice with

all of her new words she will start to correct the errors

naturally. She remarked that she thinks Meg is about 75%

intelligible to strangers and that she has made amazing progress.

She's a little chatterbox now, and has even become verbally bold.

Based on all of these results, she has been tentatively discharged

from speech therapy! We are to check in with the SLP at the end of

September and again at the end of December. At those points if we

have any concerns the ST will start up again, focusing on speech

sounds in a more structured way instead of play-based therapy.

I cannot tell you how wonderful this feels! I feel like this

chapter in our lives may finally be over, and my uncertainty about

Meg's future has completely disappeared. Thank you all so much for

your support and guidance. This website has been the most helpful

thing I've found! BTW, I'm sticking around.

I'm so sorry to have made this so long and probably boring. I just

had to tell someone who would understand how wonderful this is!

Kerri

> >

> > How old is Meg?

> > What did you do with her to be so successful?

> > I would appreciate if you share information.

> >

> > Dalia

> >

> > [ ] Hip Hip Hooray!

> >

> > ogroups.com

> >

> > 04/07/2006 12:24 AM

> >

> > Please respond to

> >

> > I just need to shout from the rooftops how proud I am of my Meg!

> > She's come so far in the last six months.

> >

> > Snapshot of Meg on her third birthday (October): saying about 50

> > words, tested at 16 months expressive language, 13 months visual

> > motor skills, 19 months pre-writing skills, mild sensory issues,

> > trouble using fork, didn't dress herself, nowhere near toilet

> > trained (wouldn't even sit on the potty).

> >

> > Meg now: saying probably about 1000 words, language is like a

> > normal kid but still poor apraxic articulation (but getting

better

> > every day!), discharged from occupational therapy because all

> skills

> > are at or above age level, sensory issues are non-existant,

feeding

> > herself with ease, dressing herself, and as of

TODAY..............

> > FULLY TOILET TRAINED!!!!!

> >

> > Someone pinch me, please. I am so proud of her, and she's proud

of

> > herself too. I wish all of your kids the same success!

> >

> > Kerri

> >

June 22, 2006

Not boring at ALL! It's always encouraging to here good news!!

congrats to you and Meg. I'm so happy for y'all.

> > >

> > > How old is Meg?

> > > What did you do with her to be so successful?

> > > I would appreciate if you share information.

> > >

> > > Dalia

> > >

> > > [ ] Hip Hip Hooray!

> > >

> > > ogroups.com

> > >

> > > 04/07/2006 12:24 AM

> > >

> > > Please respond to

> > >

> > > I just need to shout from the rooftops how proud I am of my

Meg!

> > > She's come so far in the last six months.

> > >

> > > Snapshot of Meg on her third birthday (October): saying about

50

> > > words, tested at 16 months expressive language, 13 months

visual

> > > motor skills, 19 months pre-writing skills, mild sensory

issues,

> > > trouble using fork, didn't dress herself, nowhere near toilet

> > > trained (wouldn't even sit on the potty).

> > >

> > > Meg now: saying probably about 1000 words, language is like a

> > > normal kid but still poor apraxic articulation (but getting

> better

> > > every day!), discharged from occupational therapy because all

> > skills

> > > are at or above age level, sensory issues are non-existant,

> feeding

> > > herself with ease, dressing herself, and as of

> TODAY..............

> > > FULLY TOILET TRAINED!!!!!

> > >

> > > Someone pinch me, please. I am so proud of her, and she's

proud

> of

> > > herself too. I wish all of your kids the same success!

> > >

> > > Kerri

> > >

June 26, 2006

Hey Kerri!!

This is 's mom...i read this and am so proud for you and your

Meg that i almost cried with excitement for the both of you. You

know was diagnosed with this apraxia in January of this year

but he started speech therapy around Thanksgiving of '04. He has

made little progress but now that we have the diagnosis & i have

learned about all of these extra things ( fish oils, etc.) that i

can do to help him along....i am so happy that i found all of you

here....it has been such an inspiration....Kerri again thankyou for

all of your encouraging words that you have given me and the story

of your sweet little Meg...i just know that she is an

Angel....Congradulations!!! i am very happy for you!!!

Good luck to you both!!! Give her an extra " high five and hug from

us all here!!!

HUGS & TEARS &

's Mom

Leah

> >

> > Hi Dalia,

> >

> > Meg is now 3.5. Our journey began last July, so she was 2.5 at

> that

> > point. Here's what we've done in the meantime:

> >

> > ST 4x week since July (2x private and 2x at school or EI before

> that)

> > OT 2x week November-February (now gets 1x week at school and has

> > been discharged from private OT)

> >

> > Fish oil - started with 1 Pro-EFA in July or August and have

since

> > then ramped up to 3 Pro-EFA and one Pro-EPA per day. Very very

> > helpful with speech - went from 25 words in July to probably

about

> > 1000 today.

> >

> > Carn-Aware for 2-3 months in the fall. Used 2 caps per day, but

> > didn't notice enough results to continue using.

> >

> > GFCF diet started in January - helpful with potty training and

> > sensory issues.

> >

> > Grapefruit seed extract - we use occasionally for yeast issues.

> >

> > Lipoceutical Glutathione used for 1.5 months January/February.

> Big

> > sudden gains in speech sounds (like started using f, s, w, v, z,

h

> > at the beginning of words and using s-ending for plurals even

> though

> > neither of her therapists has even touched on these sounds) and

> > seemed to help fine motor too.

> >

> > We still have a way to go. I very strongly believe that Meg is

> > dealing with a combination of mercury toxicity from vaccines (the

> > difference in history between Meg and her NT younger sister is

> that

> > Meg has received 4 thimerasol doses in flu shots including one

in-

> > utero, and Kate hasn't had one) and also may have some problems

> with

> > latent viruses, especially HHV6. I'm planning on ordering some

> > testing for the viral issues and continuing to support her body's

> > detoxification by using the lipo glut on an occasional basis (we

> may

> > try some other gentle chelators too). Besides another bottle of

> > lipo glut sitting on my counter, I also have some sublingual

> > MB12/B6/folinic acid supplements to try, and ViraStop enzymes and

> > Olive Leaf Extract to address viral issues. But right now, she's

> > only on the fish oil, GFCF diet, and GSE today because she's

> having

> > a yeast flare-up.

> >

> > Hope this helps! Every child is different - it may take some

time

> > to find what works for you.

> >

> > Kerri

June 26, 2006

Thanks Leah!

I'm so glad we could inspire and encourage you - that's exactly why

I wanted to share her accomplishments.

Kerri

> > >

> > > Hi Dalia,

> > >

> > > Meg is now 3.5. Our journey began last July, so she was 2.5 at

> > that

> > > point. Here's what we've done in the meantime:

> > >

> > > ST 4x week since July (2x private and 2x at school or EI before

> > that)

> > > OT 2x week November-February (now gets 1x week at school and

has

> > > been discharged from private OT)

> > >

> > > Fish oil - started with 1 Pro-EFA in July or August and have

> since

> > > then ramped up to 3 Pro-EFA and one Pro-EPA per day. Very very

> > > helpful with speech - went from 25 words in July to probably

> about

> > > 1000 today.

> > >

> > > Carn-Aware for 2-3 months in the fall. Used 2 caps per day,

but

> > > didn't notice enough results to continue using.

> > >

> > > GFCF diet started in January - helpful with potty training and

> > > sensory issues.

> > >

> > > Grapefruit seed extract - we use occasionally for yeast issues.

> > >

> > > Lipoceutical Glutathione used for 1.5 months January/February.

> > Big

> > > sudden gains in speech sounds (like started using f, s, w, v,

z,

> h

> > > at the beginning of words and using s-ending for plurals even

> > though

> > > neither of her therapists has even touched on these sounds) and

> > > seemed to help fine motor too.

> > >

> > > We still have a way to go. I very strongly believe that Meg is

> > > dealing with a combination of mercury toxicity from vaccines

(the

> > > difference in history between Meg and her NT younger sister is

> > that

> > > Meg has received 4 thimerasol doses in flu shots including one

> in-

> > > utero, and Kate hasn't had one) and also may have some problems

> > with

> > > latent viruses, especially HHV6. I'm planning on ordering some

> > > testing for the viral issues and continuing to support her

body's

> > > detoxification by using the lipo glut on an occasional basis

(we

> > may

> > > try some other gentle chelators too). Besides another bottle

of

> > > lipo glut sitting on my counter, I also have some sublingual

> > > MB12/B6/folinic acid supplements to try, and ViraStop enzymes

and

> > > Olive Leaf Extract to address viral issues. But right now,

she's

> > > only on the fish oil, GFCF diet, and GSE today because she's

> > having

> > > a yeast flare-up.

> > >

> > > Hope this helps! Every child is different - it may take some

> time

> > > to find what works for you.

> > >

> > > Kerri

>

August 17, 2006

Another update to add to this archive about my daughter...

We had an IEP meeting yesterday because today is Meg's last day in

her special ed preschool. I knew that she wouldn't be able to

qualify for the school next year because she's come so far, so I

enrolled her in a private preschool for next year. I wasn't sure if

they would decide that she still needed speech services or not.

Well, according to their evaluation (which was somewhat consistant

with our private STs) Meg doesn't qualify for any more services!

Her expressive language actually was just into the ABOVE average

range. Aritculation was on the lower end of average range, but

still in the range nonetheless. All other areas tested (and they

did the full work-up) were in either average or above-average

ranges. And this from the girl who according to her last IEP

meeting only 9 months ago had qualifying delays in 5 areas -

articulation, expressive language, self-care, fine motor, and

sensory.

The representatives from the school district were beside

themselves. A child who tests out gets a 4-month monitor in their

traditional preschool setting. So few children actually test out of

special ed that they couldn't even remember how to fill out the IEP

to call for this monitor! That's so sad.... I pointed out to

everyone at the meeting that the services they provided were only a

small part of her progress - that private therapy and supplements

were extremely important as well. Hopefully it didn't go through one

ear and out the other.

I am so proud of Meg and can't wait to see how she does this year!

Kerri

> > > >

> > > > Hi Dalia,

> > > >

> > > > Meg is now 3.5. Our journey began last July, so she was 2.5

at

> > > that

> > > > point. Here's what we've done in the meantime:

> > > >

> > > > ST 4x week since July (2x private and 2x at school or EI

before

> > > that)

> > > > OT 2x week November-February (now gets 1x week at school and

> has

> > > > been discharged from private OT)

> > > >

> > > > Fish oil - started with 1 Pro-EFA in July or August and have

> > since

> > > > then ramped up to 3 Pro-EFA and one Pro-EPA per day. Very

very

> > > > helpful with speech - went from 25 words in July to probably

> > about

> > > > 1000 today.

> > > >

> > > > Carn-Aware for 2-3 months in the fall. Used 2 caps per day,

> but

> > > > didn't notice enough results to continue using.

> > > >

> > > > GFCF diet started in January - helpful with potty training

and

> > > > sensory issues.

> > > >

> > > > Grapefruit seed extract - we use occasionally for yeast

issues.

> > > >

> > > > Lipoceutical Glutathione used for 1.5 months

January/February.

> > > Big

> > > > sudden gains in speech sounds (like started using f, s, w,

v,

> z,

> > h

> > > > at the beginning of words and using s-ending for plurals even

> > > though

> > > > neither of her therapists has even touched on these sounds)

and

> > > > seemed to help fine motor too.

> > > >

> > > > We still have a way to go. I very strongly believe that Meg

is

> > > > dealing with a combination of mercury toxicity from vaccines

> (the

> > > > difference in history between Meg and her NT younger sister

is

> > > that

> > > > Meg has received 4 thimerasol doses in flu shots including

one

> > in-

> > > > utero, and Kate hasn't had one) and also may have some

problems

> > > with

> > > > latent viruses, especially HHV6. I'm planning on ordering

some

> > > > testing for the viral issues and continuing to support her

> body's

> > > > detoxification by using the lipo glut on an occasional basis

> (we

> > > may

> > > > try some other gentle chelators too). Besides another

bottle

> of

> > > > lipo glut sitting on my counter, I also have some sublingual

> > > > MB12/B6/folinic acid supplements to try, and ViraStop

enzymes

> and

> > > > Olive Leaf Extract to address viral issues. But right now,

> she's

> > > > only on the fish oil, GFCF diet, and GSE today because she's

> > > having

> > > > a yeast flare-up.

> > > >

> > > > Hope this helps! Every child is different - it may take some

> > time

> > > > to find what works for you.

> > > >

> > > > Kerri

> >

>

August 17, 2006