Parents at Teachers and Early On

A few months ago we started getting home visits from Tami Smith with Parents at Teachers. She comes and give me ideas of games and activities to play with Carli. She usually brings an activity for Eliza too. 

She noticed Carli wasn't make as much sound as she should be. So I started paying attention too. At the time she was only making Ah and Oh sounds and only when she wanted something. She never made any happy sounds when she was playing. I think it has been about 2 months since we have been really been paying attention and haven't noticed much improvement. She also don't make any syllables like mama, baba or dada. She also struggles to respond to her own name. 

She had her hearing tested at 6 months and didn't pass because of fluid in the ears. I then took her to the ENT and he said she had an ear infection. She took antibiotics for the ear infection and then we went back to follow up with the ENT. When we went back  her ears were clear but she didn't pass the hearing test again. So she was schedule to have a special hearing test called a BAER  on 11/29, but when I took her for her pre op physical she had another ear infection. Now the test is schedule for Dec 20th. I am spending lots of time and energy trying to make sure Carli doesn't get sick or an ear infection before then. I have also been taking her to the chiropractor to help with the fluid in her ears. Because if she still has fluid in her middle ear she won't pass the BAER either. We we are trying to avoid is tubes if at all possible, but if she has to have them it would be better to do it when they fix her palate because if not then milk could drain out of her ear tubes and there will most likely be constant drainage.

Here is what a BAER is:

BAER (Brain Stem Auditory Evoked Response) Testing is used to evaluate the function of the auditory nerve, cochlea and hearing pathways in brain. It is routinely performed in place of a behavioral hearing test on those who are unable to cooperate with a standard hearing test (for example: infants, those with developmental delays, etc.), but it can still be used to detecthearing loss.

BAER is not painful although in certain situations a patient may need to be sedated, which usually involves the placement of an I.V. First, electrodes are placed on the person's forehead, scalp and earlobes and small headphones are put inside of each ear. The electrodes measure brain waves. After all equipment is in place a series of clicks, hisses, and other sounds are played. The brain's response to these sounds is recorded and used to determine the patient's level of hearing.

BAER is commonly performed on newborn infants to screen their hearing and is often used in conjunction with OAE (oto-accoustic emissions) testing. BAER is also sometimes called ABR (Auditory Brain Stem Response) testing. If the patient does not pass BAER testing it does not necessarily mean he is deaf or that he has permanent hearing loss, further testing is needed. Common reasons for not passing BAER include: fluid inside the middle ear space or a blocked ear canal. Likewise, even if one does pass BAER testing he can still develop hearing problems later in life.

http://ent.about.com/od/diagnosingentdisorders/f/BAER_Brain_stem_auditory_evoked_response.htm

Tami referred Carli to a program called Early On. Actually the social worker in the NICU talked with me about the program and since she was a cleft palate she automatically qualifies, but some how the referral never got made. So everyone who has come to see Carli can't believe she didn't get referred earlier. I think it is a case of everyone thinking someone else would do it. Plus with Gretta we were always over the income level but in Michigan they don't care about your income level.  Luckily the referral got make early, so far she qualifies for speech, occupational therapy for eating, and some physical therapy. 

Since turning 8 months she has been sitting much better and has even started eating solids off a spoon. That is huge progress. I also learned that her cute chubby cheeks are actually a sign of low tone and that is why she has been struggling to eat. 

The areas we are working on a expressive communication delay , feeding, and a little great gross motor delay. The OT told me that eating is related to gross motor, I didn't know that. Her fine motor skills and problem solving are great!  I am sure she is very smart and I also know she can hear something. I just can't wait to find out how much of something.