Special Needs Behavior and Development

Therapist Questions & Answers - Special Needs & Medical Diagnoses

I have a 2 year 6 months baby boy. He was born premature (32 weeks) with very low birth weight of 1.3KG 3 days after birth he suffered from Sepsis and very low blood platelet count. For treating his Sepsis, doctors did Exchange transfusion twice and then he had kidney failure. Also he had a small hole in his heart. He recovered from kidney failure and heart hole with medication but then he had microcephallic skull which was also cured by 1.5 years through early intervention. But during his hospitalization of 2 months and every day puncture for checking platelet count and giving platelets, he had two major shocks in brain. Also he was on respirator after exchange transfusion for about a month. His bera (ears test) is perfectly fine but his VOP is not fine. He suffers from optic atrophy but is able to differentiate between dark and light. Now, he is 2 year and 6 months and we are doing his occupational therapy but he is still not able to hold his neck completely and, therefore, not sitting, not standing, not rolling to sides as well. He also has hypothyroid due to which he gains weight. And his scissors have not yet finished in spite of so much medication. His scissors range from 1 - 6 seconds (sudden jerks type) and he smiles after those. I want to know if there is any scope of improvement in his case. Will he ever be able to recover from this type of illness?? I know it takes time in such case but what is probability of improvement in his case and how far can he recover?? Also can i know online or through email if the therapy which we are doing is appropriate for him or not? Is there anything else which we should be doing??

Unfortunately we don't have teacher of visually impaired here around my area. Can you guide me with what best can i do at home to improve his visionary skills. And website or material I can refer to get trained for my kid?? Also what exercises are good for his neck holding and back, if you can help me, I will be really grateful.

It sounds like your son and your family have been through quite a lot in the past 2 years and 6 months. From your description, your son has had and continues to have many medical complications that are having an impact on the development of his physical/motor skills, especially if he continues to have seizures despite being treated with medication. It sounds like you are doing the best you can for your son by having enrolled him in an early intervention program and having an occupational therapist work with him. Physical therapy, as well as a teacher of the visually impaired may also be services you may wish to consider if they are available in your area. I'm sorry, but since we are therapists and not doctors, it is impossible for us to give you a prognosis as to how much his condition might improve, but I would recommend discussing these issues with his doctors, as well as his current therapists who may be able to give you more concrete information. Best wishes for you and your son's continued health and physical development.

I spoke with one of our physical therapists yesterday and without knowing your son or being able to assess his current skills in person, it is difficult for us to recommend the exercises which would be best for him. However, these are some resources which demonstrate positioning and handling techniques for children with motor impairments, and give tips on how to manage such daily tasks as bathing and dressing, etc. 

Therapist Questions & Answers - Special Needs & Medical Diagnoses