What’s One More Therapist

When Sam graduated from the NICU, we were lucky. Aside from our pediatrician, Sam only had one specialist, a retinoligist

That didn’t last long.

Pretty soon we added in the developmental playgroup (which came with an OT and a PT), the high risk infant follow up clinic, a weekly visiting nurse, and monthly regional center visits.

By his first birthday, Sam had a gastroenterologist, a different eye doctor, and an occupational therapist.

When birthday number two rolled around, Sam was officially placed on the autism spectrum, which came with a whole new host of specialists and appointments. First there was the speech therapist. Then the FloorTime specialist. She was followed by ABA therapy. And for good measure, I added in weekly acupuncture sessions to help with Sam’s chronic constipation.

For those wondering, this is what Sam’s weekly schedule looks like:
Monday:
8:45-12:45 Preschool + ABA therapist
Tuesday:
9:30-12:30: ABA Therapy
Wednesday:
8:00-8:30: OT at the local elementary school
8:30-9:00: Speech therapy at the local elementary school
9:30-12:30: ABA Therapy
6:30-7:00: Acupuncture
Thursday:
8:45-12:45: Preschool + ABA Therapist
Friday:
8:45-12:45: Preschool + ABA Therapist
2:30-3:30: Speech Therapy
Saturday
1:30-4:30: ABA Therpay

And on Sunday we rest.

So, with a schedule like that, what is a mom to do? I know! Let’s add in Physical Therapy! And for good measure, lets make sure that this physical therapist is about 35 miles from home. (For those in the Bay Area, that means driving through the tunnel – so this can be quite a long drive.)

Crazy right?! Possibly. However, this is a Physical Therapist that specializes in chronic poop issues. Sam is the poster child for chronic poop issues (just search the word Poop or Constipation on this site if you don’t believe me). If there is anything I am willing to dedicate more time to, it’s solving Sam’s poop issues.

So, now, you can add
Tuesday:
1:00-1:30: Physical Therapy (with driving time).