Serious Post - BEWARE!
Many of you know that Sterling was diagnosed earlier this year with a learning disability among other things. We have been working hard with him to help in any way we can and see a specialist to help us. Lately Sterling has started having a pretty serious tic. He shakes his head over and over again, almost non stop. He also wrinkles his nose and blinks rapidly. To say it is heartbreaking is an understatement. Craig and I are worried beyond belief and it is overwhelming the sadness we feel when we see Sterling suffering. The specialist we have seen as well as his family doctor believe it is a tic disorder and we are working on a more formal diagnosis and are hoping beyond hope that he is not diagnosed with Tourettes.
He has been teased rather relentlessly in school and it has been really hard on him. His teacher, bless her heart, has kept in contact with us regarding this and yesterday did something for Sterling that made me cry. She had heard the kids teasing him and had been advised by other teachers that this was an ongoing thing. Yesterday she pulled Sterling aside and asked him if she could address his tic in a Community Circle with the whole class. He is so amazing. He said yes. He is so brave and unbelievable. He amazes me. SO, the class all sat down in a circle and his teacher talked about a few things then she addressed Sterling's tic. She explained what she knew about it and what it was like for Sterling and how he can't control it. She explained to the kids how much the teasing hurts and that Sterling was not doing this for attention. Then she turned the circle over to Sterling and a question and answer bit. Sterling got quite a few questions and he answered them the best he could. Kids were asking if he can die from it, if he gets headaches, etc. He did awesome. I am so thankful to his teacher for taking the time to do this. Sterling told us that he wasn't teased after this happened so I hope that it stays that way.
We are waiting for a referral to a paediatric neurologist and he is seeing another specialist on Tuesday. We will keep you updated as we know more.
Thanks to everyone for their well wishes and extra hugs for Sterling. He really needs them right now.
3 comments:
What a wonderful teacher Sterling has - thank goodnesss for her. I just heard on the radio yesterday about a young lad in kindergarten who was being bullied on a bus. When he was 4 he had to have his leg amputated because of a lawn mower accident. The kids on the bus were teasing him and one had even tried to take his prosthetic leg away. NOTHING is being done about it and the School Board had suggested to the parent to start driving his son to school. The father has decided he is thinking of legal action to the School Board if action isn't taken regarding this bullying. So glad to hear the teacher is helping Sterling. GIVE HIM EXTRA BIG HUGS FROM GRAMPA & GRAMMA and thanks for keeping us up on how things are going. LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!
Extra big hugs from Amma and Baba, Sterling. You will beat this and I hope you know it. You are so articulate and so truthful as well as hilarious that I'm thinking the Community Circle had a very interesting discussion. We love you very much and wish only good things for you.
Love to all
So sad to hear that our little buddy is having a tough time. I am sad to hear about this, but it sounds like he is super mature about it, much like his alergy. Keep us informed - much like dad I am worrying about him already.
Thanks for the awesome song today - Jacob was grinning ear to ear. We just finished his party this afternoon and all the clean up took awhile. The birthday boy is currently playing one last game of MarioKart before bed. Good night all and big hugs to both the boys - extra big one for Sterling. Jacob sends big hugs your way for the gifts as well.
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