Before the lights dimmed
Billy was born in 2004. As he grew from infancy to toddlerhood, his growth was typical. He smiled, cooed, laughed, stood and responded according to plan. He was singing before he could talk. His first favorite song was “The Blue Danube”, which he would hum. Around seven months he uttered his first official word, Dada. Sadly Mama was his third word.
When he was 3 1/2, he became ill. He developed C diff, which caused dehydration and high fevers. Once he recovered, he slowly began to change. He had once been a very happy easy going child who became fearful of everything. After he turned 4, he started to lose speech. Eye contact decreased. The pediatrician wasn’t concerned so neither were we, but in the back of my mind I had the nagging suspicion that something wasn’t quite right.
In Pre-K, the teacher suggested we have him evaluated because of low muscle tone and poor motor skills, which made learning to write the letters challenging. They however told us not to worry because occupational therapy would help him. Meanwhile with each passing day he was growing more distant. We contacted the DOE and went through the frustrating and emotional process of evaluation. They had diagnosed him as being speech delayed which required a SEIT six hours per week. By the end of Pre-K, my once lively, outgoing, mild mannered child was now sad, withdrawn and angry.
After the lights dimmed
In Kindergarten the school told us he would be left back. The teacher however did not agree with this decision. She said he was a very intelligent child but needed a different setting. She also said that we should go back for another evaluation. Once again he was found to be speech delayed. He would be placed in a general education setting and receive related services. We knew more was going on than being speech delayed so we took him to see a WONDERFUL doctor. After a few visits, testing and a visit to his school, she diagnosed him with PDD-NOS. We were scared but relieved to finally have the correct diagnosis. Armed with her report, we went back to the DOE and had him reclassified which then opened the door to the proper setting and services.
With help of 2 AMAZING teachers, one AMAZING para, an AMAZING speech language pathologist, and an AMAZING occupational therapist, in first grade he began to emerge from his shell. They were nurturing, supportive, caring and understanding. Daily they helped lift his very fragile self esteem. Under their care he grew and flourished. We are forever grateful to them.
First grade
Billy is now in the fourth grade. He has come so far yet he still has a long challenging road ahead of him. Each day is an adventure full of highs and lows. We are grateful for all the progress he has made and for all the achievements no matter how small the may be.
Billy Today
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