Long time no see!

It has been a long time since I have written a post, and a lot has changed, so I guess it is time for an update. In my last post, Maddy had just been diagnosed with Autism. Since then there have been genetic updates, a new pregnancy, a pending move and lots of new therapy. Needless to say, our little family has been quite busy.

In the genetic testing that was done, it was discovered that Maddy did have a triplication of one of the genes in her first chromosone. I, personally, have no idea what exactly that means, and neither do the doctors really. They are currently in the process of testing Dallas and I as well to get more information, but they aren't convinced this triplication is really affecting Maddy at all, and at this point, the chances are pretty low it will affect our next little one since no one else in our family has any similar issues. The doctors have been pretty diligent about doing lots of ultrasounds to check the new baby's development though just in case.

The best news, now that insurance is required to cover therapy for Autism, we are getting lots of it! And Maddy won a scholarship which is currently paying all our copays for the time being. She is currently getting Speech, Occupational Therapy for her sensory needs, therapeutic listening and Early Intervention. We also just had an evaluation for something called ABA (applied behavior anaylsis), which experts (and by experts I mean other moms who have kids with Autism), tell me is simply amazing and an important part of treatment. It is very intensive, and from what we have been told, will be another 10 - 20 hours of therapy  a week (plus more time working on it at home) on top of the 3 hours we are already doing. Other parents have told me their kids have made a huge amount of progress with a combination of all these therapies, so Dallas and I are very excited to start.

That brings me to the news that we have sold our house and have made a very important decision. We are giving up our beautiful space that we have worked so hard on for a smaller, slightly outdated, yet very spacious and lovely apartment. It was not a decision that was easy to make, but it will allow us a little more flexibility financially and time wise. And with a new baby on the way in less than 3 months, and therapy likely to be over 20 hours a week, we are going to need both.

Maybe my next post will be filled with more fun updates on Maddy's progress (which she has made quite a bit of, did I mention she is walking now?!)