Today was great day for Gabe!!! Maria (Gabe's therapist) retested him on his understanding of vocabulary basically its testing his intellect. Let me backtrack here a minute. He started seeing Maria in July of this year and have I mentioned how amazing she is because I could go on and on about her BUT this is about Gabe .
Well on the first visit she asked if he was ever tested to see where he actually stands in his age group when it comes to understanding vocabulary. In July he was 4 yrs.and 4mths and he ranged 2 yrs.and 4mths. I know it sound scary hearing those numbers but because Gabe was nonverbal until 3.5 yrs.of age how could he possibly understand vocabulary.
The great news today is Gabe now ranges 4.5 years of age HELLO Gabe is 4.5 years of age. He is average with his peers. Can you believe it? I am so proud of him.He has worked his little butt off trying to communicate and catch up. This doesn't mean he is cured. He has a long way to go just because he understands vocabulary doesn't mean he speaks at 4.5 yrs of age . Now his speech needs to catch up . I'm just so happy to post progress in anything. HOORAY FOR GABE!!
Gabe's Story
Our son Gabe came into this world with a quiet strong will. I use the word Quiet because the first two years of his life he was silent. Gabe could laugh and cry BUT other than that he never made a sound. Don't get me wrong he was a great baby never fussed, slept through the night, breast-fed like a champ, and was happy!! It never even hit me until it was time for him to physically move. He never rolled over or sat up on his own unless I helped him.
My mom being a nurse was worried and voiced concern. I worked on him for a month and finally got him to sit up on his own at 9 months. He sat up for another 4 months BUT never attempted to move any other way. On his first birthday I watched him learn to scoot on his bum positioning his entire body and using only his left hand to reach a balloon. I was so happy he was moving only to realize 3 months later at his first evaluation he was low toned and would need to start physical therapy.
After the first evaluation Jordan and I were shocked at what we heard and were sent on to a pediatric specialist to rule out possible genetic syndromes.
Within the first 10 minutes of the exam Dr. Sampson-Fang told me she was not worried about his lack of movement that he will get there with therapy BUT she looked right at me and said "Does Gabriel talk?" "Has he ever babbled?" It hit me like a ton of bricks my son doesn't speak! How as his mother did I not notice he never cooed or babbled. He never mimicked back an utterance. Had I been so busy not to pay attention to the milestones Gabe should have been hitting. I felt like such a failure. That is when I heard the term Apraxia for the first time.
Three months later , tubes in his ears , glasses on his face and his strong will Gabe took his first step. His voice came much later.
Gabe is now 4.5 years old and has been going to speech therapy twice a week for 2 years. He has a component of childhood speech apraxia and auditory processing disorder. Gabe physically fought to take his first step and has to fight even harder to FIND HIS VOICE. When I hear him say anything it takes my breath away because it truly is a miracle. How we all take for granted how easy it is to speak. Speech therapy with Maria has been the key to unlocking Gabe's voice with that being said its also very expensive .
Jordan and I have tried to come up with numerous ways to fund raise and that is why we are changing our blog. This coming spring we will be having an annual garage sale and we will be hosting a 5K to raise money to help with the cost of therapy and schooling. In the meantime if there is anything anyone would like to donate I will be selling items on KSL and Ebay. This blog will keep everyone updated on any new information.We feel so grateful and blessed for all the support we have received and want you all to know we love you! One day Gabe can look back and say THANK YOU !
My mom being a nurse was worried and voiced concern. I worked on him for a month and finally got him to sit up on his own at 9 months. He sat up for another 4 months BUT never attempted to move any other way. On his first birthday I watched him learn to scoot on his bum positioning his entire body and using only his left hand to reach a balloon. I was so happy he was moving only to realize 3 months later at his first evaluation he was low toned and would need to start physical therapy.
After the first evaluation Jordan and I were shocked at what we heard and were sent on to a pediatric specialist to rule out possible genetic syndromes.
Within the first 10 minutes of the exam Dr. Sampson-Fang told me she was not worried about his lack of movement that he will get there with therapy BUT she looked right at me and said "Does Gabriel talk?" "Has he ever babbled?" It hit me like a ton of bricks my son doesn't speak! How as his mother did I not notice he never cooed or babbled. He never mimicked back an utterance. Had I been so busy not to pay attention to the milestones Gabe should have been hitting. I felt like such a failure. That is when I heard the term Apraxia for the first time.
Three months later , tubes in his ears , glasses on his face and his strong will Gabe took his first step. His voice came much later.
Gabe is now 4.5 years old and has been going to speech therapy twice a week for 2 years. He has a component of childhood speech apraxia and auditory processing disorder. Gabe physically fought to take his first step and has to fight even harder to FIND HIS VOICE. When I hear him say anything it takes my breath away because it truly is a miracle. How we all take for granted how easy it is to speak. Speech therapy with Maria has been the key to unlocking Gabe's voice with that being said its also very expensive .
Jordan and I have tried to come up with numerous ways to fund raise and that is why we are changing our blog. This coming spring we will be having an annual garage sale and we will be hosting a 5K to raise money to help with the cost of therapy and schooling. In the meantime if there is anything anyone would like to donate I will be selling items on KSL and Ebay. This blog will keep everyone updated on any new information.We feel so grateful and blessed for all the support we have received and want you all to know we love you! One day Gabe can look back and say THANK YOU !
6 comments:
yeah for GABE!!! love you!!
That is so exciting how well he is doing! I remember when he first started therapy. I have never once heard you be negative about the situation. You are a great example to me when it comes to motherhood. Thanks!!
Oh happy day!!! We are so proud of you Gabe!! Love you!!
First of all, I love the song that goes on when I open your blog. This last post is so tender. It's so obvious that Gabe's abilities are tremendous. No matter what stage he has been at he has always made himself known. I love his mischevious, sweet, teasing personality. I know I'm not the only one that has a CRUSH on Mr. Gabe. His great aunt loves him.
Congrats Gabe! I had never heard of that condition before. I am impressed at both Gabe's strength and your strength as parents. It is inspiring to hear about the goodness of the Sandberg family.
-David
Thank you for all the great comments. Gabe is pushing forward and his family has his back.
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