So here it is----

I have sat down and tried writing this blog for some time now. I have started and stopped well over 50 times in just the last month. I honestly don't even know where to start. I have gone back and forth on sharing with everyone what exactly is going on since at this point I don't even have all of the answers. I know some have written to ask what is going on out of concern, and questions they have had- others just want to be nosey! I do feel however that it is best coming from the source, and not from word of mouth so here it goes-

At a year old I began to notice certain "things" were off with baby B. He was well advanced in certain areas like his motor skills but was lacking in areas of speech and fine motor skills. I brought it to his doctors attention and though she was not that concerned we began to watch progress a little more closely.  

At B's 15 month check up he was still not speaking, and had not had any improvement on areas I was concerned with. Our pediatrician referred us at this point to Valley Children's for a hearing and speech evaluation. I was finally able to make the necessary appointments, but was not able to have him seen until after he was 18 months.

We again went to the doctor for his 18 month check-up and did the usual m-chat screening in office. B actually passed it fine, but I still had questions and certain areas I was concerned about. For example:

B had to have two items in his hands at all times

B would continually turn in circles and did what they call a hand flap

He was unable to point at objects he wanted

He would not wave or mimic anything we did

He would zone out into his own world as if no one else was there and totally ignore when we called his name

He still was not speaking either

Along with several other observations I openly talked to his doctor again about my concerns.
Though the speech issue was a concern I did not find it to be my biggest since most every boy on my side has had a speech issue and speech therapy for it.
Seeing my concern and understanding where I was coming from B's doctor referred us into CVRC (Central Valley Regional Center) to have him screened for Autism.

We were then seen at CVRC two weeks later and B underwent his first assessment. After the assessment we were explained how it is broken down, and where they put him on each area.

First was cognitive where they put him his skills at 6 months.

Second was Language where his receptive was 6 months and expressive 5 months.

Third was his gross motor skills where he scored highest at 17 months

The fourth section was fine motor skills where he was 11 months

Fifth was his social skills at 8 months

And lastly was self help where they placed him at 15 months. 

He did in fact fail the m-chat through them, and so a process had begun.

With in the next week we had a "teacher" coming in to help with B one day a week for an hour a day. In the first month we sat down to set forth a plan of action of early intervention.

Not to get off the point- but I must put this out there. They will not fully diagnose a child on his level until they are 3 years old with Autism. This is why this is an early intervention program. They are hoping that by bringing in help we will be able to bring him up to his age level by the time he is 3. However if they had to diagnose him today- then yes he would be on the spectrum. 1 in 68 children are somewhere on the spectrum!!

Since our sit down meeting making a plan of action we have been referred into another private company that works with CVRC to try and get more then one hour a week of help. Over the last two weeks we have again had Brody assessed 3 more times in different areas. He again "failed", and will now be getting more help. We have also gone through our screenings at Valley Children's where he passed the hearing test fine, but again was found to be between 5 and 6 months on speech.

As of right now I do not have all of the answers and am simply trying to advocate for my son. With in the next month we will have 20 hours in home with a private provider 6 hours with CVRV at the UCP center and speech twice a month at Valley Children's. I will try to keep you all up to date as we are in new waters for us, and this is all a learning process.

Beerock Casserole- a total hit!!

Berrock Casserole 

What you will need: 

2 lbs ground beef 
2 packages of crescent rolls 
1 head or cabbage shredded
1 onion diced 
4 cups mozzarella cheese shredded 
Meat Seasoning
Cooking spray
13x9 baking dish 
Large cooking pan 

* For my meat seasonings I use:
Garlic powder
Pepper
Greek Seasonings 
Lawry’s meat seasonings 

Begin by pre heating your oven to 350 degrees 

Start to tear apart and brown your meat as if you were making tacos. Add your seasonings to your meat. I suggest using more pepper then you usually would. It gives it a nice flavoring when mixed with the cabbage and onion. 
Once your meat is browned dump out any access grease that has formed on the bottom. 

If you are using a large enough pan mix in your onion and cabbage, and return the pan to the stove on high. If you do not have a pan large enough to hold everything simply cook your cabbage and onion in a separate pan. Allow the onion and cabbage to cook for 5-7 minutes or until the cabbage begins to welt in the pan. Stir the mix thru the process to be sure everything is being cooked. I do tend to add a little more seasonings at this point too to give an extra flavoring thru out.

While you are waiting for the cabbage to cook I suggest preparing you baking dish. Simply spray the dish with the cooking spray, and roll out a package of the crescent rolls on to the bottom covering it. (I forgot to take a picture at this point, but it should look like the top.)

Now once the cabbage is welted you are ready to put the casserole together. Simply pour your cabbage, onion and meat mixture into the prepared 13x9 dish, and spread your mozzarella cheese on the top.

Once you have your cheese on open and spread you second can of crescent rolls on top. Spray the top crescent roll again with the cooking spray (this allows the top to brown), and place it in your oven for 45min to 1 hour… or until the top is a golden brown. 

Simply cut and serve. I hope you and your family will enjoy this recipe!! I love getting feed back so please let me know how it turns out, or if you have any questions.