Speech therapy for Brennan...

is still pending but we finally have a better idea of what's going on with the poor little guy. The speech therapist we went to on Tues. took the session a little further than the other 2 he's had and figured out that he has all the words that he should and then some, but just can't get his mouth wrapped around them. He has what's called "Apraxia" where the muscles just aren't working right to say the words. She gave me things to do with him here at home to get his tongue and mouth to move in the correct ways. He actually needs a special type of speech therapy called PROMPT which is more of a physical therapy and involves having him do such AWFUL things as rolling a lollipop from one side of his mouth to the other, drinking thick things like milkshakes through a straw, sticking his tongue out and moving it side-to-side. I think Bren has a new best friend at this point. ;)

We still have to work everything out with insurance because the gal that we saw needs a special insurance code to do the PROMPT therapy with him that Tricare hasn't provided her, but she did say that if Tricare falls through with her, there is a therapist not far from here at all that does the PROMPT therapy and that she knows for a fact Tricare does authorize so that part is great.

Also, now that I know he needs this PROMPT therapy, she said most school systems have a therapist or two certified in that specialty so I would just need to contact our case-worker to get him assigned to that school.

They have assigned him to the Elementary School nearest us and he's been evaluated by that speech therapist and she wants him to start with her in Jan. after the Christmas break. However, we're not sure if she's qualified in PROMPT and from what she was telling me she does with the kids, it doesn't sound like it so I'm hoping to get him re-assigned.

We're still in a hurry-up-and-wait, but at least we now know WHAT we're waiting for and the therapist we met with on Tues. gave me a giant list of activities to help him with his tongue muscle and mouth motor skills.

Yay!!! We're so blessed and excited!

-Shannon:)