Hi everyone.  I just had to share some good news :)

Daphne's Early Intervention teacher came this morning to evaluate Daphne's cognitive and social skills.  She told us that Daphne scored in the 11 month-old range, on average, in both areas :)

Daphne is 19 months old, so that is still a big delay, BUT,  considering Daphne can't sit, crawl etc., it was very reassuring to know that her cognitive skills are much more advanced than her motor skills.  

I have suspected that she was better off cognitively, but I didn't realize how much better.   Yey Daphne :) :)

Jenny (mom to Daphne.  Bilateral strokes in January, dx with moyamoya disease. Surgeries March 8 and March 15 at Stanford.  www.daphnestory.com)

Jenny,

That's the BEST news, and I am so happy for all of you!  Daphne will do what she can on her own schedule, and I know you'll celebrate every accomplishment as she does.

Thanks for sharing, Jenny!  We're cheering for Daphne all the way from California.

Warmly,
Jill

Wonderful news!!! Way to go Daphne!!  Sounds like she's doing great.The motor skills will come in time.Kathleen's still making gains even 3 yrs post strokes.We celebrate evey tiny step forward so as you can imagine it's one big celebrationa after another here!
Thanks for sharing....
Mary Grace

So glad to hear about Daphne's tests.  Please keep us updated on her.  

Michelle

Jenny,
I know what you mean by not being sure where you child is cognitively at that age. When they are so young the theripist and doctors just look at what they can do physically to guess a mental level. I was told Tylers IQ was 50 at one year old, then at 4 years old they tested him and said it was 70. A few years later at 7 years old it tested at 90 and at 11 year old it was tested at 111. It was weird, as he got stronger and his speech improved they could really find out what he really knew and understood.

Tyler is now 13 years old, in 6th grade with a delay of 4 years for his age. He knows he is behind but is still proud of who he is, and even does "Party tricks" with his left hand and gets all the "ooohs and ahhhs" at school. We are lucky that he is small for his age because it helps him fit in at school better.

I'm just telling you all this because, as a parent you will know more about your child than any test will tell. Even when they said Tylers IQ was 70 I knew better, but it got him the help he needed at that time, so he could learn to communicate better. Daphne has went thru a lot physically, but she could shock the therapist and doctors as she learns to comunicate. I was told they never thought Tyler would walk or talk, now you can barely pick him out of the crowd.

Way to go Daphne!!!!

Rena

Jenny,

That's good news!
Because Daphne was able to go through the surgeries at Stanford, I believe her condition will get better and better as she grows.  Keep going that way!

Cotadad

Thank you so much, everyone, for your encouragement.  You all are the best :)

Rena -- your post was so increadibly helpful to read.   That is wonderful that you were able to get Tyler help so that he could communicate better and convey his abilities to others.  I hope that one day Daphne can show up her therapists and doctors ;)

If you wouldn't mind, I'd really like to hear more about Tyler.   I was wondering if the moyamoya caused his earlier developmental delay and communication issues?  Also wondering why they didn't think he'd walk or talk.   I hope you don't mind all the questions... if you have time, I'd love for you to email me or PM me. (my email is moyer305@comcast.net.

Jenny

Jenny,

I sent you an email for my oneofakindco@yahoo. Tyler's story is an interesting one that has put grown men in tears. I hope to someday be able to write it all out, so other parents can know there is always hope.

Rena

Jenny,

I know how you feel about knowing where your baby is developmentally.  Trey is behind too, but it seems he is behind physically.  I am glad that Daphne is doing well.  Trey is 23 months old.  He is just starting to walk, but still scoots more, he is saying words but not making sentences.  I would love to talk with you sometime.  My email addy is mea_michell@yahoo.com.

Michell