Update on Olivia (OT and child mentioned)

mildlydelirious · #1 (**permalink**) 06-17-2008, 06:06 PM

We have had Olivia assessed (by a couple of different professionals) because we were concerned that she was behind in her gross motor skills and she appears to have some hearing difficulties. And of course, we were right.

She is behind in her gross motor skills and has some organizational difficulties. She has been referred to more specialists for therapy. (what a process! yikes.)

She also now has an appointment to try and pinpoint the extent of her hearing loss. She does not turn to noise and no longer startles with loud noises. After her session with a speech and language therapist today we have some hope that the hearing loss may only be unilateral??? We will find out more next Friday at her appointment with the hearing specialists. I'm not sure exactly how much they can determine, but I guess I'll find out.

The good news is that she has appeared to be a very bright, alert, engaged and happy little girl to all who have assessed her!

Wish us luck! These days, with early intervention a lot of things can be overcome!

We're counting on it.

~m

want2beamommy13 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-17-2008, 06:08 PM

I'm praying for her Marian!

Staciewi · #3 (**permalink**) 06-17-2008, 06:09 PM

Wow, that is alot going on.

I hope Lilly's hearing loss is not to severe....

She is just so adorable!!

mildlydelirious · #4 (**permalink**) 06-17-2008, 06:21 PM

Olivia, not Lilly, Stacie. And I'm only mentioning that because Lilly was also "unofficially" assessed and she most definitely has speech delays. But, we have to wait for her aunt to get her tests done.

~m

Nicky7 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-17-2008, 06:48 PM

M, I'm sorry to hear that Liv may have some hearing loss. But you are so right... identifying the issue early on is key, and kids these days make huge strides with early intervention. One of our guys had to have some hearing tests a few months ago, and basically they sedated him at the hospital, put some probes on his head, and measured his brain activity after a bunch of different tones played into his ears. Luckily it all turned out ok, but if there was a problem, they would have been able to pinpoint which ear and what specific tones were not registering.

If you're going to a hearing specialist vs. a hospital, chances are the test will be lower-tech. We went to a specialist before going to the children's hospital. Challenge there was that if the baby wasn't asleep, the test didn't work... slight movements threw off the test. That's why we had to have mild sedation. Though at the time, I had 3 newborns at home and was thrilled with the downtime... after he was sedated safely, I ran downstairs to the hospital cafe to have a coffee and read a magazine!

Miss Liv will be in my

... and you will too.

Tanya2334 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-17-2008, 08:03 PM

Hi Marian,
Sounds like you are identifying things early which is great. I am an audiologist so if you have any quesitons regarding having Olivia's hearing tested just let me know. If she is having a sedated test (ABR/BEAR) then they should be able to give you an idea of what her hearing is in the low and high frequencies for each ear. If it is just behavioral testing its a little harder at this age but can give you some information. Good luck with everything!!

Staciewi · #7 (**permalink**) 06-18-2008, 05:32 AM

Yeah I know, I meant Olivia...

I was tired....

psycojenni · #8 (**permalink**) 06-18-2008, 05:51 AM

Looks like we are in just about the same vote but older. They are talking about doing a hearing test on zach. He doesn't startle to noises and he doesn't seem to hear everything. His speech seems to be behind at 3 to 4 months. We saw the ent yesterday and he is having tubes, remove adnoids, tonsils and then they are going to clip his tounge again since there was scaring fro mthe first surgery that has tied it back down. As you know he also has a gorss motor delay. We have been in pt & ot now since Oct. We also have been working w/ a feeding therapist bi-weekly since March.

With early intervention and assesment you guys should be able to help her with alot. It at least gives her the chance to catch up. I hope that they get it all figured out. Has she seen a developmental ped yet? I totally understand where you are coming from and if you need anything just im me.