Monday night our family attended "The Reptile Man" show at the elementary school. $2 a person and we saw load of creepy reptiles, not the least of which was the infamous Black Mamba snake of Africa. It's a grey, long skinny snake with a black mouth. It gets to be 15 feet long, slithers 10 mph and kills 9/10 victims. The Reptile Man said that when they feed the males (who are much more aggressive than the females), they drop a mouse in and the snakes can bite the mouse TWICE before the mouse even reaches the floor of the cage. Is that scary or what?!! All around a friendly sort of animal. I'd show you a picture, (I even found one online), but I hate snakes. It totally creeped me out. I can't see an close-up of my least favorite creature on my little boy's blog!
So Mr. Reptile teases the crowd by pretending to lose control of this vicious predator and sends two black fabric springy things FLYING into the audience. Carver was nervous about the whole of snakes to begin with, but he'd been doing okay once we got there. It was crowded and we were at the very back, holding him up to see. Thankfully, he was only startled when the pretend snakes jumped out. I was so proud of him not getting freaked out by anything that night, despite the crowds and all the big reptiles.
The truly funny part is that when the real Black Mamba came out, Carver put his hands up to his neck and goes, "awwww" - the sound he makes for holding babies and little kittens and things. We were laughing so hard. I didn't want to forget, but we probably won't. We keep quoting him and saying, "awww, the little Black Mamba." Even after his apparent affection for venemous snakes, he wasn't interested in staying to touch the big albino python with the girls. Not that I blame him a bit!
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more than sensory processing disorder
“When I approach a child, he inspires in me two sentiments; tenderness for what he is, and respect for what he may become.”
About Me
- Rachael
- Mom of 5 beautiful, crazy monkeys. I love taking pictures, writing, making crafty things, binge-reading and baking treats.
Carver's story
From the time Carver was 2 months and still not smiling at me, I started to worry. His development was delayed from day 1, sitting, crawling, walking, self-feeding, play, you name it. After he passed his birthday and still didn't talk or babble, I began pressing the pediatrician. I was not satisfied with the answer that his development was within "normal range." We did a hearing test that winter that resulted in tubes in May 2007. This helped stop the chronic ear infections, but did not improve his communication abilities.
By the fall, I was ready to seek other help. I scheduled a full evaluation in early October 2007. He showed consistent delays across the board, in that infamous gray area. He was delayed past "normal" but didn't qualify for the state program and we couldn't afford private therapy on our own. I waited 6 months and had him evaluated again, this time smarter and AFTER his 2 1/2 year mark. (In the fall, he was tested as an 18 month old, but was weeks from his 2 year birthday.) He qualified for the SKIP program, which was fabulous! It's home based therapy that picks up the bill after insurance copays. They taught us about his Sensory Processing Disorder, apraxia, low muscle tone and - best of all - what we could DO for him. We had a really wonderful speech therapist come to our home every week up to Carver's birthday in October.
Carver transitioned to therapy in the school district at his 3rd birthday and just completed his 3rd year at the developmental preschool. It's been frustrating for me at times, but he's enjoyed it and I have profound appreciation for several of his therapists who really took the time to love him. It makes all the difference to THIS mom!
We've supplemented with private speech services for the past year or so and it's been the ONLY area he has made any progress towards "catching up." I don't believe that's a coincidence and we're trying to add OT to our lives this summer in hopes it helps prepare him for kindergarten in the fall.
I've learned not to doubt my own motherly instincts and that getting answers from specialists is crucial. Carver is a busy, challenging boy but so full of life and fun. He tests us, pushes our limits, but has given us reason to search deep for the very best we can be.
By the fall, I was ready to seek other help. I scheduled a full evaluation in early October 2007. He showed consistent delays across the board, in that infamous gray area. He was delayed past "normal" but didn't qualify for the state program and we couldn't afford private therapy on our own. I waited 6 months and had him evaluated again, this time smarter and AFTER his 2 1/2 year mark. (In the fall, he was tested as an 18 month old, but was weeks from his 2 year birthday.) He qualified for the SKIP program, which was fabulous! It's home based therapy that picks up the bill after insurance copays. They taught us about his Sensory Processing Disorder, apraxia, low muscle tone and - best of all - what we could DO for him. We had a really wonderful speech therapist come to our home every week up to Carver's birthday in October.
Carver transitioned to therapy in the school district at his 3rd birthday and just completed his 3rd year at the developmental preschool. It's been frustrating for me at times, but he's enjoyed it and I have profound appreciation for several of his therapists who really took the time to love him. It makes all the difference to THIS mom!
We've supplemented with private speech services for the past year or so and it's been the ONLY area he has made any progress towards "catching up." I don't believe that's a coincidence and we're trying to add OT to our lives this summer in hopes it helps prepare him for kindergarten in the fall.
I've learned not to doubt my own motherly instincts and that getting answers from specialists is crucial. Carver is a busy, challenging boy but so full of life and fun. He tests us, pushes our limits, but has given us reason to search deep for the very best we can be.
links about special needs
What Carver likes
- wrestling
- strings, jump ropes, hoses, belts
- swinging
- playing in water
- tickling
- the sandbox
- play dough
What Carver doesn't like
- when someone doesn't want to play with him
- sudden loud noises
- if I drive a different way someplace
2 comments:
Totally creepy snake. Now I'm going to have snake nightmares. Thanks! JK!
And to think Hailey learned to like them!
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