I haven't written much about what's been going on with Ella. I guess mostly because it's so hard to put it into words. People who see her fairly often...or every couple of week, at least...notice a lot of changes...it's harder to see them when you are with her every minute of every day. Things we have noticed are that she can now pull her eye patch off. Not only does she pull it off but she does it immediately after placing it on her face...it's like a band-aid and she just rips it off. It's great because she has the ability to do it...but now I have to figure out how to patch her so she CAN'T take it off. She also pulls her glasses off. She thinks it's really funny, but it drives me nuts. Not so much that I get upset...just that I wish she would keep them on, otherwise it's a lot of money down the drain. She's sitting better assisted..you HAVE to be holding her (or at least ready to catch her) but she can sit unassisted for about 10 seconds...baby steps.
We are currently doing PT (physical therapy) and OT (occupational therapy) though the ECI program, which is federally funded. We are being assessed to be a part of Our Children's House at Baylor (downtown). We are hoping to pick up OT and ST (speech therapy) through OCH. Each of these will be twice a week...yep, that's a LOT of therapy!! We are also currently seeing a dietitian/nutritionist to make sure that Ella is getting everything correctly through her tube.
Since we were assessed for the OCH OT last week I got the report today of where they think Ella stands...I thought you might like to read.
Hawaii Early Learning Profile (HELP):
The HELP is a curriculum based tool used to assess and approximate developmental age levels and document when skills/behaviors are of poor quality, atypical, or dysfunctional.
Elizabeth is showing solid cognitive skills to the 2.5-4 month level and scattered skills up to the 3.5-5 month range. Skills achieved include: searching for a sound; inspecting own hands, arms and feet' listening to a voice for 30 seconds or more; and localizing sounds with eyes. Emerging skills include: beginning to play with rattles and she'll play peek-a-boo with a rag on her own face (but doesn't quite understand when mom puts one on her own face).
Elizabeth is showing solid gross motor skills to 2 months of age and scattered skills to the 3-5 month range. Skills achieved include: she can turn her head to both sides while lying on her back, can briefly lift her head up to 45 degrees when on tummy, holds her head to one side when on her tummy, and she can roll both ways (and will roll to get her favorite toy). Emerging skills include: beginning to lift her head when supported at her shoulders, she can briefly push up on forearms on her tummy, and is beginning to bear weight on her feed when held in the standing position. Atypical developmental patterns noted include: rolling tummy to back off the L side only (head turned R) and seldom reciprocally kicks (is usually both legs together).
Elizabeth is showing solid fine motor skills to 2-3 months and scattered skills up to the 4-5 month range. Skills achieved include: tracking in all directions, blinking at a sudden stimulus, bringing hands to mid-line, clasping hands, and parents report she will grasp a toy, and she uses a ulnar palmar grasp. Emerging skills include: consistent reaching and grasping. Atypical developmental patterns noted: she uses her L more than her R, when she does bring hands to mid-line-the L brings the R, and the R thumb is indwelling more so than the L.