First Physical Therapy session for Torticollis

I had my first session with my physical therapist this morning. We did all kind of fun things. She showed mommy and daddy how to stretch my neck. I have torticollis of the left sternomastoid muscle, so I need to stretch to the right. You can see a chart of my particular stretches by clicking here. You can view the stretches for torticollis of the right sternomastoid muscle here. These stretches are to be done daily at changing time. We really got to know each other today and I am looking forward to getting better. I was able to turn my head left to 60 degrees on my back and to 30 degrees while sitting. These numbers will be important to chart my progress.

We received my MDE report today.

Mommy and Daddy received my MDE report today. It is a very long report and showed that I was doing very well in my development. However, the therapists did agree that I should start physical therapy for my torticollis. The moderators of the test gave us a good list of Providers that work with early intervention in our area. You can click on the links that follow:

Early Intervention Specialist (EIS)

1-877-EIS-5711

Pediatric Therapy Professionals, Inc.

724-656-8814

The Early Learning Institute (TELI)

412-884-4262

ACHIEVA

1-888-272-7299

We were paired with EIS with therapy sessions to take place weekly starting on 9/1/2009. I look forward to meeting my therapist. The moderator told Mommy and Daddy that the therapist would do evaluations weekly to chart my progress.

Positive Steps Therapy visited today!

The PA early Intervention team arrived today for my MDE. Positive Steps Therapy, LLC was assigned to do the MDE. You can visit their website by clicking here or call them at 724-444-5333. They were here for quite some time. It was very thorough. They checked my hearing, vision, speaking, physical movement and many, many other things. What a morning. I was glad to get my bottle and take a nap when they left. Mommy and Daddy had to sign more forms and were given some information. Also, we were told we would receive our complete Evaluation Report by 8/26/2009. (Again, picture at almost 5 months really show tilt to left)

Alliance for Infants and Toddlers visited today!

The Alliance for infants and toddlers visited our house today. Eli, my big brother, black lab was not real happy. Mommy had to lock him in my room because he is a kisser. The Early Intervention Service Coordinator gave us a support plan. They are going to assist me with my Torticollis. The PA early intervention Office of Child Development and Early Learning will give me a multidisciplinary evaluation (MDE) on 8/12/2009 to determine eligibility, the need for supports and make recommendations that can assist me to develop, learn and grow. Mommy and Daddy were required to fill out and sign some forms. You can view the Early Intervention Service Coordination Support Plan and Parent's Rights Agreements here.

Four-month Check up!!

I went to the peditrician today for my 4-month check up. I weigh 16 lbs. 6 oz. and am 25 inches long. I put on 5.5 lbs and grew 2.5 inches in two months. Wow! Mommy and Daddy were still concerned about my head and ear today, and the Peditrician took a closer look. She said, "it looks as though I might have Torticollis." Torticollis? "A tightening of the muscle in one side of the neck", she said. The office gave us the number for an organization called The Alliance for infants and toddlers, 412-885-6000. (www.afit.org) They stressed that this organization provides physical therapy and early intervention for infants with torticollis. Daddy called as soon as we arrived home and made an appointment for an initial home visit on 7/30/2009.