Some changes for Preston

Poor Preston has really been through a lot in the last 4 months as far as therapies and different doctors.  Preston now sees a physical therapist every couple weeks at the Pediatric Orem Rehab Center...he isn't a fan of the stretching but he likes the physical therapist/assistants and likes to play with them.  Everyone there knows Preston and loves him....what isn't there to love ;-).  Sadly through seeing the physical therapist we learned that Preston should only participate in active play (walking around, chasing other kids, getting down and up, playgrounds ) for more than 30 mins to an hour before he needs to just sit down and relax.  This has turned out to be more difficult than i had thought because when Preston gets around other kids he just wants to go go go.  We pretty much just have to leave since getting him to sit down with other kids around is impossible...he just thinks he is in trouble...sadly. 

Preston also met with a feeding specialist at the same rehab place to determine his drooling problems and biting/chewing issues.  We found out that he is chewing like a 9 to 8 month old and he doesn't use his molars.  Also that his mouth is hypo-sensitive meaning that he doesn't realize how much is in his mouth or where the food is in his mouth...he also doesn't even know/notice that he is drooling.  That is the reason why he puts so many things in his mouth and just drools all the time.  The feeding specialist lady was impressed with how hard he tried with the things she wanted him to do since she was just a random stranger. :-) He is amazing.  Anyways the home treatment plans for both physical therapy and the feeding therapy are pretty time consuming and hard to remember to do all the time.  I know that they will help him but it sure is hard sometimes, especially being pregnant with the physical therapy stuff. 

Preston got these splints to wear though the night when he sleeps to stretch his heel cord muscles.  This was the first day he wore them...he just wore them around the house.  We slowly introduced him to the splints for about 4 days before he wore them all night in a stretch.  He has done great with them so far and hasn't taken them off.    He actually likes them...he did get to pick the colors and the motorcycle design so that could be why. ;-)   They have really improved his flexibility in his ankles...now he can climb stairs slowly but without tripping.