It has been an eventful year!! Mostly centred around Izabella's autism diagnosis.
We have also just sold our place.
Hope that 2012 will be "smoother"!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Izabella is 3
I know I know.. this post is very late...
Izabellla is now 3 years and 3 months old!
This year's celebration was a low key affair. Baked a Dora cake for her celebration in school.
She must have known that it was a special day cos she was very well behaved when I asked her to take a photo in her pretty little dress!
Didn't manage to get many good shots during the cake cutting as it was very rushed!
The highlight of the birthday was a 3D2N stay at RWS Festive Hotel and a day out at Universal Studio Singapore. Although she was a little cranky and had a few meltdowns from moving in and out of the stroller, I think she enjoyed herself overall. My parents and brother came to join us for dinner on that night itself and it was a nice cosy affair.
HAPPY BELATED 3RD BIRTHDAY PRINCESS!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Therapy Milestones
Been meaning to update the site about Izabella's therapy and of cos track the milestones in case we wanna refer back to it. So hear it goes:
1. 16 Feb 2011 - Finally went to Polyclinic to get a referral.
We were at the one at SK, pretty fast I have to say, as I somehow had a bad impression of polyclinics. We told the dr that we have concerns on her development as well as her tipetoeing. After about 5-10mins of observation, we were given two appointments. One to see the orthopaedic (for her tiptoeing) and another to see the child development dr both at KK Hospital.
2. 3 Mar 2011 - First appt to the Orthopedic
Based on the snr specialist's observation and feeling of her calf muscles, he feels that it is definitely not a nerve issue. Which is good, meaning no surgery is needed. However, he had to refer us to the physio. After about half an hour with the physio, we learnt some simple exercises and stretching which we were to get her to do at home.
3. 27 Apr 2011- First appt to KKH's Department of Child Development for clinical assessment
Finally, we get to the important appointment. As we completed the child survey before coming to the appointment, I guess we didn't have to take too long. Still, we had to wait to speak to the head nurse who asked more questions before it was time to see the doctor.
We were assigned to Dr Helen, Filipino lady who seem rather friendly. She spoke to both of us before getting Izabella to perform some simple tasks. At the end of her assessment, she confirms our suspicion that Izabella is autistic. However, as we were anticipating this, we wanted to know her diagnosis on the type and severity of autism that Izabella has.
When prompted, she could only say that she believes it is moderate to severe classic autism. She says that a full psychological assessment is required for that. She then proceeds to provide us with a multitude of information on autism, the follow-up steps, workshops, therapy sessions and more that we have to attend. This includes:
1) Psychologist Assessment (have to wait 3-6 mths for appt)
2) Speech Therapy (have to wait 3-6 mths for appt)
3) Occupational Therapy (first appt only in 21st Jul)
4) PECS - Picture Exchange Communication System (workshop for parents on 10th May)
5) Early Intervention Program (EIPIC) For Next Step (workshop for parents on 23rd May)
6) Early Communicators - Caregivers Training Session (workshop for parents on 24th Jun)
It took close to another 20 mins with the nurse again to confirm these sessions and we were done for the day.
4. 27 Apr 2011 - 2nd appointment with the Physio
As we wanted to schedule this 2nd appointment on the same day so that we didn't have to take extra leave, it meant that we only could get a 6.30pm appointment. Mind you that by this time, we've already been from KKH to Little India for lunch, to Kallang for coffee with a fren who was visiting from HK and back home to Punggol.
So whilst we were on the way back to KKH for this evening appointment, the poor princess was flattened and knocked out on the way there. We let her sleep till it was time to finally go in and see the therapist. However, waking her up proved a chore.
She finally woke up cranky and was made to do some simple tasks for the physiotherapist. Crankiness plus multiple instructions = COMPLETE MELTDOWN. Izabella proceeded to scream and cry for 30 mins flat whilst we try to communicate with the therapist and updating her on the morning's diagnosis. In the end, the therapist could do little but attribute her tiptoeing to her behavioral symptoms. So we were given an open appointment and was advised that OT (Occupational Therapy) will also help in her tiptoeing.
=================================================================
5. 7 May 2011 - Initial Screening at Planet Learning Centre
After having our suspicions confirmed and learning that we had another 3-6 months before therapy, we set about searching for a private SLT (speech and language therapist) on our own. Through some research and recommendations by very supportive friends and forums online, we found Planet Learning Centre which is conveniently located in Hougang, not too far from our place as the rest.
So the week following the diagnosis, we went for an initial screening session with Lorelle Ng of Planet Learning Centre.
tbc............ am updating this as and when I can find some spare time :)
1. 16 Feb 2011 - Finally went to Polyclinic to get a referral.
We were at the one at SK, pretty fast I have to say, as I somehow had a bad impression of polyclinics. We told the dr that we have concerns on her development as well as her tipetoeing. After about 5-10mins of observation, we were given two appointments. One to see the orthopaedic (for her tiptoeing) and another to see the child development dr both at KK Hospital.
2. 3 Mar 2011 - First appt to the Orthopedic
Based on the snr specialist's observation and feeling of her calf muscles, he feels that it is definitely not a nerve issue. Which is good, meaning no surgery is needed. However, he had to refer us to the physio. After about half an hour with the physio, we learnt some simple exercises and stretching which we were to get her to do at home.
3. 27 Apr 2011- First appt to KKH's Department of Child Development for clinical assessment
Finally, we get to the important appointment. As we completed the child survey before coming to the appointment, I guess we didn't have to take too long. Still, we had to wait to speak to the head nurse who asked more questions before it was time to see the doctor.
We were assigned to Dr Helen, Filipino lady who seem rather friendly. She spoke to both of us before getting Izabella to perform some simple tasks. At the end of her assessment, she confirms our suspicion that Izabella is autistic. However, as we were anticipating this, we wanted to know her diagnosis on the type and severity of autism that Izabella has.
When prompted, she could only say that she believes it is moderate to severe classic autism. She says that a full psychological assessment is required for that. She then proceeds to provide us with a multitude of information on autism, the follow-up steps, workshops, therapy sessions and more that we have to attend. This includes:
1) Psychologist Assessment (have to wait 3-6 mths for appt)
2) Speech Therapy (have to wait 3-6 mths for appt)
3) Occupational Therapy (first appt only in 21st Jul)
4) PECS - Picture Exchange Communication System (workshop for parents on 10th May)
5) Early Intervention Program (EIPIC) For Next Step (workshop for parents on 23rd May)
6) Early Communicators - Caregivers Training Session (workshop for parents on 24th Jun)
It took close to another 20 mins with the nurse again to confirm these sessions and we were done for the day.
4. 27 Apr 2011 - 2nd appointment with the Physio
As we wanted to schedule this 2nd appointment on the same day so that we didn't have to take extra leave, it meant that we only could get a 6.30pm appointment. Mind you that by this time, we've already been from KKH to Little India for lunch, to Kallang for coffee with a fren who was visiting from HK and back home to Punggol.
So whilst we were on the way back to KKH for this evening appointment, the poor princess was flattened and knocked out on the way there. We let her sleep till it was time to finally go in and see the therapist. However, waking her up proved a chore.
She finally woke up cranky and was made to do some simple tasks for the physiotherapist. Crankiness plus multiple instructions = COMPLETE MELTDOWN. Izabella proceeded to scream and cry for 30 mins flat whilst we try to communicate with the therapist and updating her on the morning's diagnosis. In the end, the therapist could do little but attribute her tiptoeing to her behavioral symptoms. So we were given an open appointment and was advised that OT (Occupational Therapy) will also help in her tiptoeing.
=================================================================
5. 7 May 2011 - Initial Screening at Planet Learning Centre
After having our suspicions confirmed and learning that we had another 3-6 months before therapy, we set about searching for a private SLT (speech and language therapist) on our own. Through some research and recommendations by very supportive friends and forums online, we found Planet Learning Centre which is conveniently located in Hougang, not too far from our place as the rest.
So the week following the diagnosis, we went for an initial screening session with Lorelle Ng of Planet Learning Centre.
tbc............ am updating this as and when I can find some spare time :)
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Punggol Promenade - 6 Mar 2011
We explored the new Punggol Promenade - Riverside Walk. Took a nice walk all the way from @Punggol Carpark all the walk to Lorong Halus Wetland Reserve. It was a long walk... very tiring for izzy but she walked the whole way and only had to be carried a little less then half the way back! We are so proud of her..
more outdoor activities to come we hope..
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Trip to the Polyclinic
Ok, so we finally did it. We brought Izzy to the polyclinic for a referral for speech therapy. After speaking to the dr there, he gave us 2 referrals. First referral is for her tip-toeing, so we will be seeing an orthopedist on 3rd march. Second referral is to a child development specialist before we get to see a speech therapist I guess. That is on 27 April which is still quite some time away.
Our GP did warn that it may take 6 months so I guess 2-3 months time is not so bad. Wish it could be earlier though. Let's hope that this means very much subsidized consultation rates as I expect she will need quite a few sessions.
Maybe she will surprise us by speaking before then... we can only hope...
Our GP did warn that it may take 6 months so I guess 2-3 months time is not so bad. Wish it could be earlier though. Let's hope that this means very much subsidized consultation rates as I expect she will need quite a few sessions.
Maybe she will surprise us by speaking before then... we can only hope...
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Hyder & Izzy
Izzy and her papa can never get a good shot.. someone is always not looking at the camera!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)