what's new
Updated October 2006
School
Ishan is currently in pre-Kindergarten and he loves every moment of it. This year (2006-07) he started full day school. He had to change schools once again. His current school is wonderful. He has two teachers and two Para-professionals in his class. He gets a lot of one on one time.
Ishan just celebrated his 5th birthday on October 21, 2006. His school mates made him hand written cards. He got 19 birthday cards from his friends. As a parent it was very touching and heartwarming to see how my little guy is able to make friends. It is amazing that a kid who is non ambulatory, non-verbal and who has severe developmental disabilities is still able to make friends and communicate with his peers. One of the biggest changes I have noticed in Ishan is his interest in peer interaction and his desire to play with other kids. Some of this credit goes to his amazing school and the team that works with him.
Physical Changes
In February of 2006 Ishan got his first wheelchair. He seems so much more comfortable. He is able to sit in the chair for hours without complaining. He is now slowly starting to roll his chair short distances. He does this when he really wants to get somewhere and is motivated enough.
Ishan had an eventful summer (2006). He got out of school early because he had to undergo leg surgery. The muscles in his legs had become so tight he couldn’t stand or straighten it either. He underwent a Tibia Osteotomy (where they fracture the Tibia and reposition it, then put pins in the ankle area in order to keep the bone in that position); he also had muscle lengthening surgery (hamstrings, heel chord, and calf muscles in both his legs). The surgery was on May 19th 2006. He was in cast for two months. His recovery was long, painful, and difficult. But the results of the surgery were nothing short of a miracle. Ishan is now able to stand straight (with support); he is able to take steps in a gait trainer and even manages to take up to 20 steps in a simple walker. Now getting off his wheelchair has become a bit easier, as he is able to stand up with minimal support. Ishan has grown in height and he also has put on some weight. One of the side effects of the surgery seems to be that Ishan has developed reflux. He did have mild reflux before, but after the surgery this problem seems to have gained momentum. I just feel like I am constantly cleaning up vomit.
Cognitive and Communication Changes:
Cognitively, he has made huge gains. His grandmas had come down from India and spent the summer with him. He had a blast in their company. The constant presence and interaction of both his grandmas helped him improve his communication skills. He still is nonverbal for most part, but has added new signs to his vocabulary. He has learnt to point at things. His latest game is to tap on items and I have to name it. He loves doing it and seems to be able to make the connection between the object and its name. It’s almost like an adapted version of the “I spy” game.
ISHAN'S 5TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION October 2006
ISHAN'S FIRST WHEEL CHAIR February 2006
LEG SURGERY May 2006
AFTER SURGERY September 2006
Playing with Grandma (Paternal)
Relaxing with Grandma (Maternal)
Updated October 2005
Ishan just celebrated his 4 th B’day. Yes!! Our little baby is a little boy now. He continues to love school and seems to understand a whole lot more than we give credit for. He loves to go out, a simple car ride can send him into peels of delightful laughter. He loves vibration and so we bought him a z-vibe, which is like a vibrating stick which can be put in the mouth. We hope this will reduce his drooling and his need for oral stimulation. He is very curious about new things and wants to check out what is underneath everything. He continues to use a few signs, but for most part his is non-verbal. He has become an expert crawler, walking is still a ways off. We are on the road to getting him a wheelchair.We hope this willl give him better posture and more independence.
Ishan celebrates his 4th B'day at his new school
April 2005
Ishan had to change schools as we moved to a different state. He got a grand going away party from his old school (Little Childhood Elementary). The staff made a big banner and sang a “We love Ishan” song. It was very emotional for us (parents), as we saw the amount of love Ishan got from his educators. It also made us proud, that although Ishan is non-verbal and doesn’t walk, he touched people’s lives in a unique way.
May-July 2005
Ishan spent most of his summer in India, visiting Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and getting pampered. Sadly his paternal grandfather passed away just one month into the holiday. Check out this special page my Grandpa Ajja in memory of his much loved and respected grandfather . Ishan also got to spend the summer with his various cousins and one new arrival.
New First Cousin-MahikaAugust 2005 - October 2005
On his return, Ishan had a brand new start as we moved to a different state. He now attends Pre-K and has a wonderful teacher. It has just been two months since he has been at his new school, but has already won the heart of his teacher.Ishan has grown both physically and cognitively.
Physical Changes
He grew almost three inches over the summer. Ishan can now climb on and get off furniture with great expertise. He can now sit on a bench with confidence and he doesn’t slouch as much. He can sit cross legged and now can kneel for a few seconds without support. His leg muscles continue to be very tight and stretching him everyday is a struggle. He is just enrolled in private PT at the local hospital. (This after a long struggle with insurance woes)
Fine Motor skills
He now can play the key boards using his fingers rather than just hammering it with his palm. He is able to pick small items (usually dirt!!) using his index finger and thumb. We try and incorporate fine motor skill therapy in his everyday routine. Like putting on clothes, putting things away, etc. I have started allotting floor time with him where we play repetitive games, of his choice.
Cognitive Skills
He can identify three music tunes from his keyboard and does the appropriate signs for it (e.g.: Twinkle Twinkle, Happy B’day, London Bridge is falling down). He also assigned sounds (his own) to various people in the family. Since Ishan is still non-verbal I guess this was his way of connecting with people. It was amazing to see how he made up sounds for each person. He has started showing a growing interest in books. Although his attention span remains an issue. We try to read at least two of his favorite books everyday. He is very particular about what we read to him. He definitely has a mind of his own and knows what books he would like to read.
Speech: Ishan hit a major milestone recently when he said his first word “dada” (meaning Daddy). He can now even say “Hi Dada.” His teacher says he now is able to take part in most of the craft work they do at school. Before he used to mouth toys/objects a lot, but that has reduced significantly, thereby opening up a world of opportunities for him. Right now the speech therapist is working on a lower version (tailored to Ishan’s skill level) of PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System). We hope we will soon be able to graduate him into a regular PECS program and also add a few voice input communication boards.
Food: He now eats mashed rice or pasta on a regular basis. But still most of his food is pureed. Chewing continues to be an issue. Like any other three year old, he has a big sweet tooth. But unlike most of us, he knows his limits. After he’s eaten his quota of chocolate, nothing can tempt him into eating another piece. He continues to be a good eater. But constipation remains a problem.
Ambulation: Ishan is an expert crawler now. Walking is still a long way off. He does have several hurdles to cross before he is able to stand without support and eventually walk. But all of his therapists and doctors are very hopeful that, the day will come.
Cognitive Development: This is the area where we have seen significant change. Ishan now responds much faster when questioned. He seems to understand subtle humor, and even on occasion teases us (his parents). I believe he understands Konkani (our mother tongue), as well as English. He is more curious about things and always wants to see what is underneath an object. His attention span has increased too.
Medical Issues: Unfortunately Ishan’s battle with ear infections continues. Like his constipation, ear infections seem to be a chronic problem for him. In March, Ishan will get his third Botox treatment. We are hoping the changes will be as dramatic as the last time (September, 2004).