It never occurred to me, up until it was pointed out today that I don't include updates for our children on the distance programme. So here goes one. Over the past few days I have completed the third distance reassessment on a 22 month old little girl who suffered infantile spasms. When we first started the Snowdrop programme she was 11 months old and already age appropriate in visual development, but did have a strabismus and poor magnocellular processing. She is now just above age level with an improving strabismus and normal magnocellular processing. Auditory development was just below age level and now it is just above age level. In terms of gross motor skills, she is now showing signs that she is ready for us to start developing a standing balance and her language is now at the level where she is producing 'scribble talk' and beginning to try a few words. Fine motor development which was at the 4 month level is now touching the 15 month level and it was great seeing her trying to build with blocks and feed herself with a spoon. Social development is not far from age appropriate levels. She has made some nice progress in the last year. Well done!
If your little one has experienced infantile spasms, which have affected their development and want more information, contact us on info@snowdrop.cc
Showing posts with label West Syndrome. Show all posts
Showing posts with label West Syndrome. Show all posts
Wednesday, 12 September 2018
Wednesday, 14 June 2017
West Syndrome - Infantile Spasms.
Today we met a lovely new family from Lithuania who have a 12 month old little boy who has West Syndrome. He has a complex combination of seizure activity, including 'infantile spasms.'
Despite 3 courses of steroids the spasms persist and indeed he had one during his initial evaluation at Snowdrop today. One of the drugs he is on, 'Sabril' has almost certainly contributed to the demise in his visual function but the spasms and steroids combined have caused developmental deterioration. I was able to see videos of him prior to his problems coming to light and he was a vibrant, interactive little boy, who was no comparison to the little boy we saw today. Hopefully as the steroids wear off, some developmental function will return but we also hope that the programme of stimulation we are prescribing will have a beneficial effect, - helping to rebuild abilities. I will keep you posted.
Despite 3 courses of steroids the spasms persist and indeed he had one during his initial evaluation at Snowdrop today. One of the drugs he is on, 'Sabril' has almost certainly contributed to the demise in his visual function but the spasms and steroids combined have caused developmental deterioration. I was able to see videos of him prior to his problems coming to light and he was a vibrant, interactive little boy, who was no comparison to the little boy we saw today. Hopefully as the steroids wear off, some developmental function will return but we also hope that the programme of stimulation we are prescribing will have a beneficial effect, - helping to rebuild abilities. I will keep you posted.
Monday, 22 May 2017
Today's Assessment, 22nd May 17. West Syndrome and CVI
Today we welcomed back a 3 year old little boy and his family for his 4th assessment. He has West Syndrome and CVI and has been on the Snowdrop programme for 15 months.
West Syndrome consists of group of symptoms characterized by epileptic/infantile spasms, abnormal brain wave patterns called hypsarrhythmia and intellectual disability. The spasms that occur may range from violent jackknife or "salaam" movements where the whole body bends in half, or they may be no more than a mild twitching of the shoulder or eye changes. These spasms usually begin in the early months after birth and can be difficult to control, requiring steriod treatment.
Cortical visual impairment, (CVI) is a form of visual impairment caused by the brain not being able to process information from the eyes passing along the visual pathways in the brain. In my observation there are varying forms of CVI, caused for instance by the thalamus not exciting the cortex sufficiently to process visual stimuli, to actual injury to the occipital cortices. Another possibility is that vision becomes 'de-automated!' Vision is something which just happens to us, we cannot help but see, - it is an automated programme, however I see children who have to be reminded to 'use their eyes!' - It comes in many forms.
With today's little boy we saw clear improvements in the use of vision, which is now 'switched on' for much of the time. He is also understanding more language, responding to simple instructions and his former auditory sensitivity is now gone. His tactile processing problems are resolved and he is now 'high kneeling' and his upper body control is good enough for us to begin working towards developing a standing balance. He also demonstrated that he now has 2 words of speech. He is though, very busy and we have to work further on slowing him down a little. His biggest change in my eyes is in sociability, he now really tries hard to interact. Well done to his parents who work so hard with him. It was great to see you again.
West Syndrome consists of group of symptoms characterized by epileptic/infantile spasms, abnormal brain wave patterns called hypsarrhythmia and intellectual disability. The spasms that occur may range from violent jackknife or "salaam" movements where the whole body bends in half, or they may be no more than a mild twitching of the shoulder or eye changes. These spasms usually begin in the early months after birth and can be difficult to control, requiring steriod treatment.
Cortical visual impairment, (CVI) is a form of visual impairment caused by the brain not being able to process information from the eyes passing along the visual pathways in the brain. In my observation there are varying forms of CVI, caused for instance by the thalamus not exciting the cortex sufficiently to process visual stimuli, to actual injury to the occipital cortices. Another possibility is that vision becomes 'de-automated!' Vision is something which just happens to us, we cannot help but see, - it is an automated programme, however I see children who have to be reminded to 'use their eyes!' - It comes in many forms.
With today's little boy we saw clear improvements in the use of vision, which is now 'switched on' for much of the time. He is also understanding more language, responding to simple instructions and his former auditory sensitivity is now gone. His tactile processing problems are resolved and he is now 'high kneeling' and his upper body control is good enough for us to begin working towards developing a standing balance. He also demonstrated that he now has 2 words of speech. He is though, very busy and we have to work further on slowing him down a little. His biggest change in my eyes is in sociability, he now really tries hard to interact. Well done to his parents who work so hard with him. It was great to see you again.
Monday, 25 April 2016
West Syndrome. - A Family Fight Back on the Snowdrop Programme.
Today we saw a little boy with West Syndrome for his first reassessment and wow has he made progress in every area of development!
When we first saw him, he was 10 months old and visually he was operating at the functional level of a 4 month old. Now, he is 17 months old, which means he has been on the Snowdrop programme for 7 months and is operating visually at the 12 - 14 month level. In terms of auditory development and comprehension, he has progressed from the 4 month level to the 9 month level. Tactile perception has transformed from being grossly under-sensitive to being normal. He has gone from sitting to crawling on all fours and also high kneeling. He is beginning to try to pull himself to stand. His hand function has gone from basic reaching and grasping to having a sophisticated pincer grip in both hands and both hands working cooperatively. His social development is now age appropriate.
It just goes to show that even against the flow of genetic expression, progress can be made!
When we first saw him, he was 10 months old and visually he was operating at the functional level of a 4 month old. Now, he is 17 months old, which means he has been on the Snowdrop programme for 7 months and is operating visually at the 12 - 14 month level. In terms of auditory development and comprehension, he has progressed from the 4 month level to the 9 month level. Tactile perception has transformed from being grossly under-sensitive to being normal. He has gone from sitting to crawling on all fours and also high kneeling. He is beginning to try to pull himself to stand. His hand function has gone from basic reaching and grasping to having a sophisticated pincer grip in both hands and both hands working cooperatively. His social development is now age appropriate.
It just goes to show that even against the flow of genetic expression, progress can be made!
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