The Blessings of a Clown

Today was a busy and tough day.  Cade started his official therapy today, and the word nightmare does not cover how the first session went.  From the moment we walked in to the STAR Center Cade was uncooperative and resistant.  It was a downward spiral from there, with most of the session consisting of guttural screams and tears.  We have 2 days off now, so I'm hoping that by that time things will be a little more settled for him and our new routine will help him transition to all of the new rules and activities here.

I met with Julianna, Cade's OT here, this morning to go over the results of his evaluation.  Long story short, he has gaps in his sensory development that do not allow him to function typically.  Those gaps affect his fine and gross motor skills, social play and interaction, emotional stability and impulsivity, and basic daily living. She went over each of the aspects of SPD, and Cade has huge deficits with every one of them.  She didn't volunteer it, but when I asked she did tell me that she felt Cade's lack of sensory regulation was an extreme case of SPD.  Ok...so here we go...

On a brighter note...one of the local churches in the area came to the Ron McD House today and put on a carnival for the kids.  Cade and I were at therapy (and after we returned there was no way he could handle it!), but Eric and Kai were able to go enjoy the festivities.  Kai had a blast!  It was very well done, with lots of fun games and prizes.  Kai came back with a load of treasures from the carnival, and it made nap time for him very easy!

The carnival also had a clown.  Kai told me all about him, calling him "Donald's" (he now thinks all clowns are named Ronald McDonald!).  I am so thankful for the clown and the distraction all of these activities are for Kai.  We often forget that he, too, is living in this chaotic world of Sensory Processing Disorder.  It is very hard for him to manage the enraged brother that often crosses his path.  It is nice for him to be able to just be KAI...not the little brother of Cade with SPD.  He handles the challenges well...I am so extremely thankful for all that he has been able to get here at the Ron McD House.  And he is truly making a name for himself here, which is probably not surprising to those of you who know him!



Kai playing the duck game



Kai painting a truck



Kai making friends with the people at the carnival



Please pray for Julianna, Cade's occupational therapist here.  She will endure a lot...today consisted of many hits, spits, name-calling, and other outbursts from a very enraged, confused, and unregulated little boy.  She is so in tune with Cade's needs, and we are blessed to have her working with him.  Please lift her up and pray that she is able to break through the exterior of Cade's disorder to truly help him get the regulation he needs.  And thanks for continuing to lift us up...watching our little boy enraged and out of control is not an easy thing to do!

I also want to add that Colorado is spectacular!!  I have to take the interstate to get to the STAR Center, and it is unbelievable what landscape is around.  And in the middle of July...SNOW on the mountains!!!  We hope to make it there before we leave...I HAVE to get pictures of my kids playing in the snow in July!!