Swallow Study and Lovin’

Friday Joy had her Swallow Study.  It was so cool!  It is a mobile unit.  It looks like a really nice RV, but inside it’s all set up with computers and x-ray machines.  Wonderful for an almost home bound Mama and her 2 year old!

Results:  She has some really weak muscles and her tongue is weak.  She is not all that coordinated.  With thin liquids they start to go down her airway, but with thicker liquids they don’t.  That explains why since thickening her water she has stopped coughing and tearing up.   Joy’s OT feels these are all simple things to fix with therapy – yeah!

Sammi got to watch the swallow study since she was home – another benefit of home schooling.  Very cool!  We have a CD of the whole thing.  It is fascinating to watch her move during an x-ray – to see all of her bones and the liquid and food moving around in her body.  :)

Joy is a very loved and very loving little girl!

What a cute kid!

 

Chocolate Fiend!

We had chocolate ice cream for dessert one night this week and evidently weren’t feeding Joy fast enough!  Two spoons are better than one any day! 

Oral Control & Aspirations

Joy was picked up by Bella’s OT – the specialist in oral motor.  Joy has so many strengths, so we are doing what she calls “fine tuning.”

She watched her drink and says she has every sign of aspirating.  What?  That’s Bella’s deal.  Oh well.    A swallow study has been ordered and we’ll see.  In the meantime, we are thickening her liquids and she is doing so much better!

She is working through the straw hierarchy and we are working on jumping.  Who knew, but those gross motor skills help open up something that helps with speech.

So Busy!

Joy is finally cutting another tooth!  Number 9 here we come!

Joy has graduated from OT from ECI, but they suggested we bring in some private therapies.  So we did – and now Joy is one very busy little girl!

Speech Therapy – three times weekly.

OT – twice weekly.

Developmental services – once weekly.

PT – in process of evaluation.

Joy is developing so much right now.  It is so amazing to watch!  We are really working on her signs and her vocalizations. 

  

 

 

Joy adores her little sister!

Joy wants to hug Bella, hold Bella, tickle Bella, and kiss Bella all the time!

 

 

 

I’m not sure who taught her, but she has learned to walk backwards!  And she makes this sound like a truck when she does it – beep, beep, beep.  Too precious!