We finally got something this week that we've been waiting 7 long months for. No, we're no closer to finalizing the adoption; we're still waiting for the ruling on the appeals. What we did get was a copy of O's neuropsych eval from September of 2011. What is says in there really isn't too surprising but a couple of things caught us off guard.
The report gave us the dates that he was in foster care previously and that was great to know. It also gave the reasons for removal which was also good to know. No surprise that it made reference to the difficulties he would have on Tuesday and Thursday after he saw his mother. Thank goodness we didn't have to do parental visits. The judge ordered no contact at removal.
It was nice to find out that his birth weight was 6 pounds, 9 ounces. I was 6 pounds, 8 ounces and he is way bigger than I was at 5! We also discovered that at 6 months gestation his mother was hospitalized due to excessive alcohol consumption. We knew she had drank but didn't know just how much she drank. She maintains that it was only the one time but I just can't believe that.
The report also stated that during his testing he was active, impulsive and easily distracted. Just the way he is now with us. That is indicative of ADHD but our doctor will not test him until he is 6. Right now we and the school are using behavior management and working with him on his restlessness and short attention.
They also stated they saw signs of anxiety and we have seen those too. He has a habit of twisting the hair on the top of his head when he is questioning something or when we are directing or correcting.
The report also states that while he is a very intelligent child and achieved high measured in the pre-academic/literacy skills he scored low in the other skills tests such as comparison, concepts, self and social awareness, quantity and time/sequence. I have seen improvement in all these areas in the last 7 months but the lower scores 14 months ago are indicative of some future learning delays. We will be scheduling an IEP to make a plan for his potential learning difficulties.
While our pediatrician didn't see any physical indication of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, ADHD, anxiety and cognitive delays are all symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Exposure (Syndrome), something that we have been concerned with all along.
He started counseling two weeks ago and I gave her a copy of the report for review. She is going to review the report and then set up a meeting to go over some "tricks" for helping raise O to be a fully functioning, productive member of society. None of this isn't manageable and we have vowed to do all we can to help him through this. We love him and he is ours.
O brought home his report card from school yesterday and I was almost afraid to open it after receiving the eval this week. I was absolutely thrilled with his report card though! He scored satisfactory or higher in all of his subjects! I was especially thrilled with his teachers comments:
"O is an outgoing and friendly little boy. He knows 26 upper case and 27 lower case letters. He knows 25 letter sounds to date. He is starting to read the popcorn words that we have covered so far. O can do the math work in class with additional support and direction. He does have some difficulty completing work and will walk away from his work and get side tracked easily. He has a good temperament and does not argue about going back to work but does try to negotiate a better deal. O had endeared himself to most of the adults here at school and has made many friends in class. I enjoy working with him in our classroom."
Doesn't it just make a mama proud?? When I think of what he's gone through in 4-1/2 years and where he is after 7 months I can see him future and it's bright. We will do all that we can to help him succeed. He is a fighter and he wants to be successful. We will help his get there!!
Long overdue final update (such a good one)!
3 months ago
