Half term appointments

Dental Hospital
We had an appointment at the dental hospital for Kian because of his gums being indented above his front teeth. Craig had been the first to notice this, so we got it checked out with the special needs dentist. He decided to get a second opinion, though his opinion was it was fine but there is an operation to correct it. It was our first time at the dental hospital, and it has been the only place where I have saw a sign that said " if you wait 20 mins let the receptionist know". Well we didnt have to wait long. Kian has had a cold and been not himself at all so we werent sure how the appointment would go. He was quite good for the dentist. The dentist said his teeth look fine, though his top ones look like they may cross over. This can be reviewed later on and helped if needed. I do remember another parent tell me that they had their childs teeth corrected, but after the brace the teeth went to how they had been previously. Not sure if this is to do with some children not getting their second teeth. Kian just has to wait for his bottom back two teeth to come in. He is teething terribly at the moment and drooling constantly. The dentist said she didnt think we would get a good x-ray for above his top front teeth, but it will be monitored and she did not think it would cause him any problems at the present. She mentioned that our local dentist had noticed a small piece of skin attached to Kian's palate, and there was possibly a bit of bone missing. I questioned this more and she said she definitely didnt think this was a problem or would have any baring on speech. We will see our local dentist every 6 months and see how things go.

Paediatrician appointment
We see our paediatrician roughly every 4 months. She is a lovely doctor. She noticed a big difference in how mobile Kian was and he was giving her some nice eye contact. He is now 12kg and 88 cm long. She suggested speaking to the physio about a walker. I feel that it may be the time to try a specialised walker but we shall see what our physio says. She comes next week. In the meantime we have been letting Kian use the baby walker, though alot of professionals class this as a big no no. I spoke of how I feel I need to understand about speech and communication more. Speech is the service we have that does not feel gelled. The other services keep you involved and enthusiastic. I dont feel we get that from the speech service. They have recently held a workshop about their service and how to engage with parents. Hopefully this is a step forward. We discussed Kian's behaviour as he is a little flighty with his hand at the moment, usually with me getting a smack of him on my face. Hopefully this is a phase that will pass. Kian does understand "no", but at times will laugh when told this. This is a concern of mine, but we will be persistant and direct and hopefully this will pass. Our doctor is going to write to the ent consultant about what the dentist said about Kian's palate, and ask him to have another look at it. She said it is only a thought but with Kian not sleeping great during the night and coughing, could it be that his liquid supper is lying where is shouldnt. We will go back in another 4 months, but will be having a multi disciplinary meeting soon where all the professionals meet with us to discuss Kian.

One thing the doctor asked was whether I have any friends at the mainstream private nursery Kian goes to. He only goes one day and I am generally in and out. But I did go to baby group with a mother who had two children go to the same nursery. Contact has eventually decreased to nothing, though if we saw each other in the street we would definitely chat. One clear thing I remember is when I told this mother that Kian was going to this nursery, she replied that she didnt realise that the nursery took children like Kian. That is something I will remember though honestly I know she thought nothing of that comment. Alot of people need educating. Sometimes you feel like you have not the energy to be the person to do it. There has been a few times it has crossed my mind to take Kian out of the mainstream nursery. I am so pleased I havent. It has been a massive part of Kians development, no matter how slow. Kian's dieticians child goes to the same nursery and has been in the same class at times. She told me that her daughter said to her once, Kian doesnt talk and he has really small feet. She wasnt sure of how much her child would know about Kian. Children are so honest, I found that comment, sad but funny at the same time. It is a sad thing that Kian has this condition, and the live that we have to lead through it. It is extremely hard and draining, but I never ever think that Im unlucky to have Kian. I believe people should appreciate what they have as you never know what is round the corner or what could have been, but we are lucky to have Kian, he is a sweetheart!