Hi,
I'm the paternal custodial grandmother of a granddaughter who is 4.7 years old and has been diagnosed with a cleft lip and palate, sleep disorder, sensory processing disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, disruptive behavior disorder and insecure attachment disorder.
Her parents were both substance and alcohol abusers. We have had her since she was 4 months old when she had her first out of six surgeries.
We have issues with sleep, aggression, defiant behavior and of course sensory issues. Her pediatrician says she is a "complicated child". And I agree with that.
She had 6 months of Occupational Therapist (OT) which helped her a lot and was stopped for now until she restarts preschool in the fall. She's on 1 mg of Intunive ER which has helped with her fear in social situations immensely. We also have ST (speech) as well which is related to her cleft in the area of articulation.
We have two grown children and have two other grandchildren. I used to volunteer in the school system, was an emergency foster parent, had a home daycare and volunteered at the local hospital in the pediatric unit. I also have nine nieces & nephews, 19 great nieces & nephews and one great-great nephew. You would think that having been around all those children I would be an old pro but I find this child is different than any other child I have known.
T attended a half day preschool for the past two years and the problems there were minimal. This upcoming year she will attend a full day program however we will start with two 1/2 days & 1 full day then gradually increase the days until she is going 5 full days. This was the recommendation of her Occupational Therapist (OT) who was concerned that otherwise we might overwhelm her sensory needs. She has agreed to come to the IEP meeting to help facilitate sensory modifications are in place and visit the school frequently.
I see a lot of her behaviors that was also exhibited in my son and it worries me what her teen years of rebellion will lead her into. Most days I feel overwhelmed and have no respite care at all other than sometimes on the weekend when my husband will take her for a few hours. I find at those times that I'm really too tired to do anything for myself. In some ways I look forward to her starting school back. My husband and I have absolutely no time alone with each other anymore either which bothers me. We will celebrate 15 years of marriage in September.
On the other side of the coin she is a gorgeous little girl. Her surgeries have corrected her cleft lip beautifully and we love having her in our lives. She can be an angel and her hugs & kisses make the sun shine brighter in my day. We have never regretted taking her in to our home and loving her and after having her for so many years and going through so much with her surgeries she seems like "our" child completely.
That was a long introduction but I appreciate you reading it all (if you did! LOL!).
Jennifer
I'm the paternal custodial grandmother of a granddaughter who is 4.7 years old and has been diagnosed with a cleft lip and palate, sleep disorder, sensory processing disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, disruptive behavior disorder and insecure attachment disorder.
Her parents were both substance and alcohol abusers. We have had her since she was 4 months old when she had her first out of six surgeries.
We have issues with sleep, aggression, defiant behavior and of course sensory issues. Her pediatrician says she is a "complicated child". And I agree with that.
She had 6 months of Occupational Therapist (OT) which helped her a lot and was stopped for now until she restarts preschool in the fall. She's on 1 mg of Intunive ER which has helped with her fear in social situations immensely. We also have ST (speech) as well which is related to her cleft in the area of articulation.
We have two grown children and have two other grandchildren. I used to volunteer in the school system, was an emergency foster parent, had a home daycare and volunteered at the local hospital in the pediatric unit. I also have nine nieces & nephews, 19 great nieces & nephews and one great-great nephew. You would think that having been around all those children I would be an old pro but I find this child is different than any other child I have known.
T attended a half day preschool for the past two years and the problems there were minimal. This upcoming year she will attend a full day program however we will start with two 1/2 days & 1 full day then gradually increase the days until she is going 5 full days. This was the recommendation of her Occupational Therapist (OT) who was concerned that otherwise we might overwhelm her sensory needs. She has agreed to come to the IEP meeting to help facilitate sensory modifications are in place and visit the school frequently.
I see a lot of her behaviors that was also exhibited in my son and it worries me what her teen years of rebellion will lead her into. Most days I feel overwhelmed and have no respite care at all other than sometimes on the weekend when my husband will take her for a few hours. I find at those times that I'm really too tired to do anything for myself. In some ways I look forward to her starting school back. My husband and I have absolutely no time alone with each other anymore either which bothers me. We will celebrate 15 years of marriage in September.
On the other side of the coin she is a gorgeous little girl. Her surgeries have corrected her cleft lip beautifully and we love having her in our lives. She can be an angel and her hugs & kisses make the sun shine brighter in my day. We have never regretted taking her in to our home and loving her and after having her for so many years and going through so much with her surgeries she seems like "our" child completely.
That was a long introduction but I appreciate you reading it all (if you did! LOL!).
Jennifer