[Amanda21]

Hi everyone! My daughter, Kelsey had Torticollis when she was born and it was probably gone at 4 months but now she is getting physical therapy for low muscle tone. She is developmentally delayed and is way, behind all the babies in my "playroom" so I thought I would chat in this group as well. She is 9 months now and can't so some things that I 4 month old typically can do. She is making progress but I just get depressed hearing about the babies in my playroom walking when Kelsey is no where near crawling even.
Also, I have a 15 year old brother (yeah, he is 19 years younger than me...oops) with Autism. I was in college when he was diagnosed so I am familiar with what my parents dealt with trying to figure out what was wrong with him, etc. So, if anyone has any questions about autism, I have lived through it. He is now in high school and loving life! He has no idea he is any different than anyone else, has very good special ed. teachers, and is living a fun life despite his diagnosies.

[AlexKatieAiden Mommy]

Welcome Amanda!! Kelsey is very beautiful!! I am Linda, mommy to Alex, Katie and Aiden. Aiden (who is 3) had torticollis and plagiocephaly and did occupational therapy and wore a helmet too. He also had oral adversion and was in therapy until he was almost two. He is still very picky about the texture of his food, but has come such a long way.
((((hugs)))) Alex (who is 7) has autism and I know how depressing it can be when everyone is talking about how their child is doing this and that and you know your child isn't any where near doing those things. It does get easier with time though. I just want you to know you are not alone in feeling down about the things she can't do yet. But with you getting her therapy early I bet she will be caught up in no time.

[BensMom]

Welcome! Ben (6.5) was born with tort/plag also, along with windswept hips & feet, scoliosis, etc. He's always been behind, started therapy right after he was born, and is still in therapy today. It doesn't stop him, though, from being "normal" most of the time. He's 1-3 years delayed, depending on the skill, and this also carries over to the muscles of his eyes, digestion, etc. He's a really big kid (always 95+% for everything), so it's odd to see him compared to both 8 year olds and 4 year olds on the playground or whatever. He does get frustrated at times, but mostly, he just keeps on keeping on. His therapist told us that he's progressing at the same rate as all the other kids, but he's behind them, so they continually stay ahead of him. She also said that there are no "new" motor skills to learn after about age 9-ish. You just use the teenage years to perfect the skills you learned in early childhood. He'll probably finish therapy when he's 9-10 based on her projections. We really don't know.

He also has Asperger's, attention deficit, and profound giftedness. This combination with delayed motor skills is the reason we've chosen to homeschool him. We can tailor his needs to his strengths and weaknesses. Even at home, the differences are occasionally very frustrating for him, but he'd have it no other way, and 99% of the time is very happy.

Your dd will probably catch up, but even if she doesn't, everything will work out just fine!

[Mod-Lady Valkyrie]

Welcome Amanda and Kelsey!