This question was in Billy's application for Kindergarten. How exactly does one answer this question? I was contemplating and wondered if the parents of prospective students answer this question truthfully.
In my case I started panicking, there is not enough room here to list the tortures I inflict upon my child. I remember the times when I threaten to drop my 1st born at the bus stop. Telling her that the people waiting are gypsies and that they are waiting for moms and dads to drop off their misbehaving kids. Do I tell them I spank? Will they frown upon it even when I don't do it in anger and it's 1 smack in the bottom for every birthday she has had? Do I sugar coat the truth? As we do talk about feeling and frustrations but I can not leap tall buildings in a single bounce and do slip and scream at my kids at times.
Truth be told my children are very much loved and seemed to be well adjusted individuals in spite of my parenting. Or maybe there is some grain of truth in the idea that children are resilient.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Monday, December 1, 2008
Present time
Today, Rory is almost 30 months old. At 2 years old, she was diagnosed with Autism.
Early-On added Occupational Therapy to her program and introduced her to group for Speech Therapy which has helped significantly. Although she is yet to string words together(Her multi word sentences are still very limited), she has built an expansive vocabulary. She is able to ask for what she wants which is mostly cookie or pretzels. She is now able to identify family members by name, seek them out and initiate play. The funny thing, she is the only kid in our family who says "Thank you" or "You're welcome."
To this day, she still carries the diagnosis but is loosing most of the traits. She loves books. She enjoys hugs and gives out kisses when it's least expected. She is still quite the busy bee but has significantly improved her focus. There is not a day that I fail to thank a higher power for her. I am so glad she is my child and I am so blessed to be her mother.
Early-On added Occupational Therapy to her program and introduced her to group for Speech Therapy which has helped significantly. Although she is yet to string words together(Her multi word sentences are still very limited), she has built an expansive vocabulary. She is able to ask for what she wants which is mostly cookie or pretzels. She is now able to identify family members by name, seek them out and initiate play. The funny thing, she is the only kid in our family who says "Thank you" or "You're welcome."
To this day, she still carries the diagnosis but is loosing most of the traits. She loves books. She enjoys hugs and gives out kisses when it's least expected. She is still quite the busy bee but has significantly improved her focus. There is not a day that I fail to thank a higher power for her. I am so glad she is my child and I am so blessed to be her mother.
The signs...
I'm not exactly sure when I first noticed that something was wrong.
Rory did not use words at one. Arguably, a lot of one year olds don't. But neither did she pointed at what she wanted instead she grunted or cried. She cried when she was thirsty and when she was hungry. Her needs were so basic. When she learned to walk, she would pull up a stool and get water for herself. She barely cried and did not seek out parental comfort. I hugged and kissed her a lot because I wanted and I needed to. If I waited for her to seek them out, I would have to wait forever. She didn't establish eye contact and was fascinated with lining up and stacking up things. Her ability to focus was also very limited. I kept saying there's something wrong and everyone kept telling me she is just young.
Whe she was 18 mos old, I forged ahead and had her evaluated. What harm can it bring. Whe found out then that she was developmentally delayed. She scored around 9-12 mos in language and about 12 mos in her ability to follow directions. Motor wise, she was off the scale, scoring at 3 years.
She was accepted in the Early- On program and started speech therapy. Our goal was pretty simple. One word per month.
Rory did not use words at one. Arguably, a lot of one year olds don't. But neither did she pointed at what she wanted instead she grunted or cried. She cried when she was thirsty and when she was hungry. Her needs were so basic. When she learned to walk, she would pull up a stool and get water for herself. She barely cried and did not seek out parental comfort. I hugged and kissed her a lot because I wanted and I needed to. If I waited for her to seek them out, I would have to wait forever. She didn't establish eye contact and was fascinated with lining up and stacking up things. Her ability to focus was also very limited. I kept saying there's something wrong and everyone kept telling me she is just young.
Whe she was 18 mos old, I forged ahead and had her evaluated. What harm can it bring. Whe found out then that she was developmentally delayed. She scored around 9-12 mos in language and about 12 mos in her ability to follow directions. Motor wise, she was off the scale, scoring at 3 years.
She was accepted in the Early- On program and started speech therapy. Our goal was pretty simple. One word per month.
When it all began
Rory's story did not begin on the day she was born. Nor did it start on the day she was conceived. It started on the 3rd day of Billy's birth.
Growing up, I always knew I wanted children. I wanted girls in particular. I dreamed of molding their young minds and contributing to the strong women they would become. Ironically, my girls have taught me more than I could ever teach them.
I grew up in a typical landowner matriarchal Filipino family ( If you can call that typical). Girls were always doted upon and encouraged to achieve their highest potential. We were sent to the best schools and given every opportunity. Yet, my parents, like most parents of their time, wished and hoped for sons. Even with all their encouragement I still feel inadequate simply because I have a missing appendage between my legs. I did not get it and was disgusted by the mere idea that boys are more important than girls. This is what made me want girls in particular. I want to raise them to grow up not questioning their significance.
When I found out my first was a girl, I was ecstatic. I named her Billy not because I was secretly hoping for a son. I simply named her after a man I mostly admired. From that nickname we found a suitable first name and Isabelle Pfleider Agustin was born on July 2nd 2004.
On the 3rd day of Billy's birth, I was filled with such uncontainable love and from that day on I had wanted a sister for her and another daughter for myself. On April 10 2006, Rosamaria Pfleider Agustin was born and like her sister she was perfect. We nicknamed her Rory.
Growing up, I always knew I wanted children. I wanted girls in particular. I dreamed of molding their young minds and contributing to the strong women they would become. Ironically, my girls have taught me more than I could ever teach them.
I grew up in a typical landowner matriarchal Filipino family ( If you can call that typical). Girls were always doted upon and encouraged to achieve their highest potential. We were sent to the best schools and given every opportunity. Yet, my parents, like most parents of their time, wished and hoped for sons. Even with all their encouragement I still feel inadequate simply because I have a missing appendage between my legs. I did not get it and was disgusted by the mere idea that boys are more important than girls. This is what made me want girls in particular. I want to raise them to grow up not questioning their significance.
When I found out my first was a girl, I was ecstatic. I named her Billy not because I was secretly hoping for a son. I simply named her after a man I mostly admired. From that nickname we found a suitable first name and Isabelle Pfleider Agustin was born on July 2nd 2004.
On the 3rd day of Billy's birth, I was filled with such uncontainable love and from that day on I had wanted a sister for her and another daughter for myself. On April 10 2006, Rosamaria Pfleider Agustin was born and like her sister she was perfect. We nicknamed her Rory.
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