O.T. and P.T backtracking

This post is to reflect back on all our progress threw O.T. and P.T.

I want to start by saying it is a VERY difficult thing to admit that your child is "behind".Every part of my logical thinking  knows that Owen has Moebius Syndrome but I on a everyday basis compare him to "Normal" kids.For starters he was a month early.To some this may not mean anything but if you have a child that was early you can relate.All 3 of my kids were early (4-5 weeks) so I am use to putting them on somewhat of a curve but Owen I am struggling to understand where he will be in his development.

We started him on therapy at 3 months old.Getting ready for my first visit I remember thinking"we dont need to go he is right on track for all of his "skills" he needs to be at.When I left his first appointment I remember feeling crushed.He wasnt anywhere where he needed to be.To start not only is Owens left side of his face effected his ENTIRE left side in general is effected.

Owen's left hand was always closed in a fist,he wanted to hold something in that hand at all times.He wouldn't grab with his left hand.He wouldn't roll to his left and he would tilt his head.He tilted he head because his left eye could not look laterally so he had to over compensate for his eye

To help with his closed fist I had to work with him Daily on keeping his hand open.I would hold his right hand and arm down during play time to encourage him to use his left hand.We had to force him to look to the left and roll to the left whenever possible.Owen wears a eye patch, on his "good"-right eye,to try and correct his tilt in his head and correct his crossed right eye he has.

With Moebius Syndrome they can have mussel  tone problems which he def has.He wasn't able to hold his head up on his own til around 7 months.At the same time he started sitting up on his own.At 8.5 months he started "army" crawling.Our current skill we are working on is him being able to crawl on all four's.He has a difficult time putting his knees underneath of him.He tends to whine but it is getting better and better on a daily bases.

For me I have to remind myself that "babies" have a couple month range of when they do things. Weather they are early or have a physical delay. Today's appointment was encouraging for me because I was told he is right on track for all his "skills" even with being early.We now only have to go to O.T. once a month and P.T every other month to make sure he is on track.As a mom this means so much to me.I am told every visit that they can really tell I work with him alot.As difficult as this journey is/has been, I would never think of doing any less for for my kids.
I feel like I am leaving out alot of valuable info/tricks from therapy but as I remember I will try and do updates.