PT

Christopher apparently qualifies to recieve Physical Therapy services at his Developmental Preschool. It's good. We're now milking them for every therapy they've got. Chris and Mommy had a meeting with Miss Beth, his teacher, and the counselor, and the therapist today to finalize paperwork. Chris was thrilled to go into his school. He pointed to the Giant Pencil sculpture out front as we walked in, "Is a Pessel?" Yes! Good eyes. Then he was like, It's my school. He totally recognized it. When he saw Miss Beth, he was bouncing off the walls, he wanted to sit next to her, wanted her to read to him, everything, he was thrilled. When she stepped out to get him some toys, he got sad. I'd be jealous, but it gives me comfort to see them interact, since she gets him half his day three days a week.
How did he get into PT? During his meeting in November to line him up in preschool, Chris took off, clumsily running across the room, one of the gals thought his gait was odd, and asked if he had ever had PT. We said no, but that though we were annually assessed by our Riley Orthopedist, we wouldn't be surprised with his spinal problems that things were a little off there too. They said, have your GP fill out this permission slip, and we'll get him assessed once school starts.
Fast forward to the end of January, when I noticed Chris's footprints in the snow left side-by-side trails not footprints, indicating to me more of a shuffle than a walk. Since then I've seen footprints, I must've just caught him on an off day, but it prompted me to action. I asked his teacher what the scoop was with PT as well as other therapies. His therapies had fallen through the cracks, and so NOW they're getting down to it. So, two weeks ago, the physical therapist met and assessed him. Her findings were that on average Chris's skills are more in the 2-2 1/2 range. He can't push the pedals on a trike, which we knew, and his teacher had noticed too. He isn't too hot at throwing and catching (wonder if he inherited Mommy's skills in that department) and his running speed is a little slow, and his arms kind of flail. He can't handle a balance beam, he can jump, but not hop or gallop, and when told to walk a line on the floor, he kept one foot on and one foot off. She says his core strength is weaker than she'd like, but not surprising considering all the abdominal difficulties. She was thrilled (actually she said she was really shocked and surprised) at his skills on stairs though, especially, given his short stature! I bragged a bit, and told her You should see him get on and off the bus! Those stairs are half as tall as he is, and he's bound and determined to go up and down alone. She told me she'd try. She thinks he won't have to be in PT forever, just long enough to build his core, and get him strengthened. She says as the weather gets warmer, it will be great timing to get him pumped and primed and stronger.
But for now we expect to be continuing 3 day a week preschool through next fall. They do annual reviews so his next would be next November/December. And we'll continue with all three therapies: Occupational, Speech, and now Physical Therapy too.