Sunday, April 4, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Atlanto-axial Instability
Last week, Logan had x-rays done on his neck to check for atlanto-axial instability because we want to take him to hippotherapy. Hippotherapy promotes the use of the movement of the horse as a treatment strategy in physical, occupational and speech-language therapy sessions for people living with disabilities. Hippotherapy has been shown to improve muscle tone, balance, posture, coordination, motor development as well as emotional well-being. Logan needed the x-ray before starting therapy.
Atlanto-axial instability or AAI describes an increased flexibility between the first and second bones of the neck. Most individuals with Down syndrome have some increased flexibility of joints, called ligamentous laxity, which can affect any of their joints. AAI refers to this condition when it affects the joint between the first and second cervical vertebrae. Since the vertebrae surround and protect the spinal cord, instability of the joint could place the spinal cord at risk for injury.
85% of individuals with Down syndrome have no evidence of atlanto-axial instability. 13-14% show evidence of instability by x-ray only and have no symptoms. This is called asymptomatic atlanto-axial instability. Only 1-2% have symptoms that may require treatment. These individuals are referred to as having symptomatic atlanto-axial instability.
Symptoms may include neck pain or persistent head tilt, intermittent or progressive weakness, changes in gait pattern or loss of motor skills, loss of bowel or bladder control, increased muscle tone in the legs, or changes in sensation in the hands and feet.
I was told today, by Logan's doctor's nurse, that Logan has AAI, but she couldn't give me any other details. I asked if he can do hippotherapy or what restrictions he will have for physical activites, but she didn't have any information for me. She is supposed to talk to Logan's doctor and call me back.
I wish I knew more! If anyone has had experiences with AAI please contact me.
I am sad that Logan's physical activities may be limited. He wants to tumble in gymnastics and I was looking forward to getting good x-ray results so that he could start doing those things in his class.
I hope to get some answers soon, or I will be contacting other doctors who are more experienced with AAI and Down syndrome.
Atlanto-axial instability or AAI describes an increased flexibility between the first and second bones of the neck. Most individuals with Down syndrome have some increased flexibility of joints, called ligamentous laxity, which can affect any of their joints. AAI refers to this condition when it affects the joint between the first and second cervical vertebrae. Since the vertebrae surround and protect the spinal cord, instability of the joint could place the spinal cord at risk for injury.
85% of individuals with Down syndrome have no evidence of atlanto-axial instability. 13-14% show evidence of instability by x-ray only and have no symptoms. This is called asymptomatic atlanto-axial instability. Only 1-2% have symptoms that may require treatment. These individuals are referred to as having symptomatic atlanto-axial instability.
Symptoms may include neck pain or persistent head tilt, intermittent or progressive weakness, changes in gait pattern or loss of motor skills, loss of bowel or bladder control, increased muscle tone in the legs, or changes in sensation in the hands and feet.
I was told today, by Logan's doctor's nurse, that Logan has AAI, but she couldn't give me any other details. I asked if he can do hippotherapy or what restrictions he will have for physical activites, but she didn't have any information for me. She is supposed to talk to Logan's doctor and call me back.
I wish I knew more! If anyone has had experiences with AAI please contact me.
I am sad that Logan's physical activities may be limited. He wants to tumble in gymnastics and I was looking forward to getting good x-ray results so that he could start doing those things in his class.
I hope to get some answers soon, or I will be contacting other doctors who are more experienced with AAI and Down syndrome.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Random Pictures
My kids love inflatables. Logan especially, has started to enjoy them and it's cute to see him and Aubrey following each other in them! They are so similar right now...they can do a lot of the same things! They are definitely little copy cats of each other!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Logan Update
Turns out...shortly after Logan's negative behaviors began we did find out he had a double ear infection. He's been on antibiotics for 8 days now and his behavior is improving. He still gets frustrated at meal times, but he is overall more agreeable. I have also discovered that his frustrations are due to his inability to communicate what he wants. I think he is now particular about what I feed him and how I feed it to him. I'm not sure when he wants to feed himself and when he wants me to feed him.
I've been so proud of his speech lately!! It is coming so far so quickly.
A couple of weeks ago he had a session with his B-3 early childhood teacher and here's the words he used during that session.
Imitated:
circle
open
shut
fish
horse
duck
push
nose
color
Logan
eat
mmm
pop
Spontaneous:
go
eyes
dog (barking)
uh oh
Today, he had a session with his speech therapist, and he set new record for spontaneous words!!
Imitated:
duck
up
puppy
wow
tractor
signed fish and butterfly
Spontaneous:
flower
woof
apple
ball
boat
signed kitten
car
down
truck
mmm
cookie
hat
bath
oink
glasses
My favorite were APPLE and BOAT! I hadn't heard those before!! Go Logan!
I've been so proud of his speech lately!! It is coming so far so quickly.
A couple of weeks ago he had a session with his B-3 early childhood teacher and here's the words he used during that session.
Imitated:
circle
open
shut
fish
horse
duck
push
nose
color
Logan
eat
mmm
pop
Spontaneous:
go
eyes
dog (barking)
uh oh
Today, he had a session with his speech therapist, and he set new record for spontaneous words!!
Imitated:
duck
up
puppy
wow
tractor
signed fish and butterfly
Spontaneous:
flower
woof
apple
ball
boat
signed kitten
car
down
truck
mmm
cookie
hat
bath
oink
glasses
My favorite were APPLE and BOAT! I hadn't heard those before!! Go Logan!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
It's done!
Devin's "School" is complete! Now, we can't wait for the snow to melt so we can all go out and enjoy it! Thanks Dad!
Double Trouble
These two are trouble together! They have become quite the pair lately...they fight often and make big messes! Aubrey's latest thing is dipping tissue paper in the toilet and rubbing it on her head...yes, toilet water on her head!!Thank you
Thank you for all the thoughts on my last post. I was so relieved to hear that others are going through the same thing!!
Logan is a little bit better. He is still getting angry easily and throwing things, but it is not all the time. Meal times are still the toughest, but I am finding that some of his anger is definitely from him becoming a pickier eater. I agree with many of you that said he is showing typical two year old behavior. You are right. I forget that he is at that stage of his life.
As for his class with other 2 year olds, I decided to move him to a class for 1 and 2 year olds and things are much better. This new class is less structured and has more free play. I wanted Logan to start to experience a more structured environment, but he is just not ready to sit and listen for several minutes at a time. I feel strongly that he be with typical kids, but I have learned that he needs to be with kids a little younger than him in order to successfully participate. He fits in perfectly with kids at his developmental age (19 months or so).
Logan is a little bit better. He is still getting angry easily and throwing things, but it is not all the time. Meal times are still the toughest, but I am finding that some of his anger is definitely from him becoming a pickier eater. I agree with many of you that said he is showing typical two year old behavior. You are right. I forget that he is at that stage of his life.
As for his class with other 2 year olds, I decided to move him to a class for 1 and 2 year olds and things are much better. This new class is less structured and has more free play. I wanted Logan to start to experience a more structured environment, but he is just not ready to sit and listen for several minutes at a time. I feel strongly that he be with typical kids, but I have learned that he needs to be with kids a little younger than him in order to successfully participate. He fits in perfectly with kids at his developmental age (19 months or so).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)