| Amelia seemed to grow over the next three years at about six month advancement per year. At age six she had to change schools and started 1st grade in another special needs class. Amelia adapts to change slowly. She prefers routine. This is Amelia's last year with this teacher and next year we are on to another room and another routine and probably slow adjustments again. But, she has done well with the past two teachers and I am sure she will do well with the next. When amelia had turned seven we started more research. Steve and I got to thinking about Amelia's future and what it might hold. I seem to be on the internet researching every aspect of her life constantly. We found out through genetic testing that Amelia had a unbalanced chromosome translocation of 2 and 14. This is where all the problems started. She was also evaluated by a child study center and seen by a pediactric neurologist. Amelia has been diagnosed with several things; Chromosome translocation,Partial Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum, Pereventricular Leukomalacia, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, Sensory Integration Dysfunction,Pervasive Developmental Delay Not Otherwise Specified(a form of Autism), and global delays. Amelia has many quarks and characteristics. Her sensory problems cause her to chew on her hand almost always. She is forever sensory seeking. She also has times when She wants to be in her own world. Whether it is just sitting and coloring or looking at books or heavy into Sesame Street. During those times she doesnt even want to be touched. She also does not know the meaning of personal space. She leans on you alot. She walks with a gait problem but not bad and her muscles and coordination are not all that great either. She is extremely far sighted and has worn glasses since she was nine months old. She drools and is still not potty trained yet. Despite her love of pen and paper, she can not write anything. Just scribbles and circles. She functions on about a two to three year old level. Okay, enough negative. She also has an extremely positive side. She loves to smile. She is quite a cheerleader for anybody and everybody. She loves books and giving hugs to her family. Her sense of humor is tremendous. I bet she could crack up the gate guards at Buckingham Palace. If the radio, or any form of music is around, she is singing to it and she loves to dance. I guess I will include her love for mornings too, although, I still wonder if that one is an asset or not. She wakes everyone up with a smile and the words," Wakey wakey eggs and bakey." This year has been a rough one with some behavior problems and lots of meds tried. But now she is off the drugs, which wound up being most of the culprit. She is back on the right track and working on learning to dress herself. Amelia has many ups and many downs, but we wouldn't trade her for the world. God gave her to us and we are glad for the accomplishments she's made and the smiles she brings to our lives. |
| STORY/UPDATES PAGE 2 |
| UPDATES |
| February 2005 Update: Amelia had a great checkup at her neurologist. She said to continue Amelia without meds and to monitor her progress closely. We are just glad Amelia's behavior is back to a norm for her. Amelia had a great checkup with her ear/nose/throat specialist. He said he hadn't seen her ears ever look as good as they did that day. No tubes for the past year so far so good! On Friday Amelia had her 6 month eye exam. Her eye glass prescription stayed the same and she cooperated and told what pictures she saw. Yeah Amelia. Friday she is getting new frames. I will try to take a pic then and post her in her new glasses. Today is her yearly checkup with the pediatrician. Checkup was fine and she has grown 2 inches this year. Next stop the dentist. No cavities! Yeah! |
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| April 2005 Update: Amelia's family birthday party was great! She is 9 yrs old. She played lots of games with her cousins and had a great time. IEP at school is finished for next school year and we are headed toward a new classroom and a new teacher. Also Amelia is going to summer school . We are all happy about that. It helps Amelia maintain her already learned skills. Amelia participated in her spring special olympics and had a blast. |
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