Hindsight's 20-20

This morning I dropped RDC off at his friend's house to play before school. I took CCC down to the Children's Hospital for his hearing evaluation. Anytime a child begins speech therapy, he must have a hearing evaluation to make sure that is not contributing to the problem. I remember going to the same place over a year ago with RDC, to have the same test done. Back then I wondered, "How in the world are they going to accurately test the hearing of my almost 2 year old?" I was amazed! RDC ended up having 2 hearing evals because he barely passed the first one!
This morning I was much more confident. I knew where I was going. I know what the clinic looked like. I knew what a sound booth and tympanogram were.
CCC passed his hearing test with flying colors! He "conditioned" to the sounds VERY quickly and finished the test in record time. Neither of the audiologists we worked with had ever seen a child of CCC's age go through the test so quickly. His ears are working perfectly!
So I got to thinking while CCC was sitting on my lap during the test...
RDC was congested. For a long time. A really long time.
He was a mess really. Always congested, fussy, whiny. Did I mention congested? He failed all 4 tympanograms (measures eardrum function and shows if there is fluid build up behind the ear from congestion). Every time we went to the doctor they could see the fluid behind his ears.
Could it be his soy allergy? Could it be?
I thought he had a dairy allergy, so I supplemented his diet with soy formula, and later soy milk/yogurt when we moved back to the States.
Could it be? I believe so.
I firmly believe that his soy allergy is what caused months of congestion.
I met a mom tonight who has a child with a "myriad of anomalies" and developmental delays. My heart breaks for her. She has gone around and around to specialists and has no firm diagnosis. We talked about a number of issues and ways to help a child with developmental delays. Here's what gets me about her son's situation.
He has had 4 hearing evaluations, all of which he has failed and has been deemed as "uncooperative" during the tests. Why has no one suggested an ABR (a hearing test where the child is sedated and their waves in the auditory center of the brain are measured.). Hello??? I'm no physician, but I could figure that one out! Poor thing just lost her pediatrician. Good pediatrician, but left the practice and the mom has not been told where she moved. I look forward to talking with her more and learning more about their situation.
I am so thankful to continue to meet other moms in similar situations. I am so thankful for my friends with children with special needs!
Hindsight's 20-20 and CCC gets the benefit. We are getting him help WAY earlier than our "guinea pig" RDC! Now that we've walked down this path with one, we'll walk down it with another! Can't wait! There's nothing more in life that I want to do than to help my children succeed!
Whatever it takes!

OCTOBER Meeting

We will be meeting at Gretchen's house for the month of October. She lives in Tipp City. Be looking out for a reminder email with address and directions! See you all at 2 pm on Friday the 3rd!

In November we will meet at Deanna's house in Kettering.
In December we will meet at Jolyn's house in Centerville.

Hope everyone is enjoying this fall weather!

Erin