Jake's Journey with Apraxia

Last week a moment that I had been anticipating for months finally arrived. On Wednesday my husband and I took Jake to see a physician that specializes in pediatric integrative medicine. All the months of prayers, googling, researching, reading, emails, calls, and comments on blog posts had all led us to this decision.

I am happy to report that this doctor exceeded every expectation I had. I feel like we are in amazing hands as we start exploring what other food allergies, sensitivities, and nutritional deficiencies Lil’ Man might have which may be contributing to his speech problems.

We were at the appointment from about 10:00 to 1:30 and after talking to the doctor at length about our concerns and Jake’s history, the nurses drew some blood and we agreed on several tests. Jake was such a good boy while they drew eight vials of blood from his little arm and he didn’t cry once. I distracted him by shuffling through the pictures on my phone; I was so proud he sat still and was cooperative.

It takes four weeks to get all of the test results back and I made a follow-up appointment for Wednesday, August 29th. Until then, we are making some minor diet changes, adding a supplement, a probiotic, and putting a topical prescription cream on his eczema.

We are now on Day 4 of our plan and it is going well. I am curious to see how Jake does at speech tomorrow morning. Due to our busy schedule, last week he had just one speech therapy session instead of two and it wasn’t very productive. It wasn’t so much of a sixth sense as it was common sense. I forewarned Ms. Kelly before we started that a few fits had already been pitched that morning.

Usually Jake is a good boy for her, but that day there were more “Ready now?” (to play the game) comments than target words spoken. At one point, he even laid his head down on the table and started crying quietly when he didn’t get his way with something. For the most part, I think he was just tired because he had taken a late nap the day before and therefore had a hard time falling asleep at bedtime. But, also I think he was just having a bad day. If only it was acceptable social behavior for us as parents to react this way sometimes.

I am hoping and praying diet and supplementation for the things he is deficient in will switch things up for him. I think my Lil’ Man is getting tired of working so, so hard for such little gain.