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. 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 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.