We are back in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania at The Institutes for Achievement of Human Potential. This is Chris's and my 5th visit and Tatum's 4th visit.
We are at the Institutes for 5 full days. Today was spent at the clinic being 'assessed' in every way possible.
Tuesday and Wednesday Chris and I spend in a classroom for 9 hours each day. We will learn about everything from 'How to Grow the Integrative Areas of the Brain' to the 'Study of Seizures - why they happen and how to prevent them'. The lectures are always very enlightening and inspiring. Tatum will stay with a nanny while we are in class.
On Thursday and Friday we will return to the clinic to be taught our new program.
Our assessment today was fantastic. Tatum's report card was A++. She made excellent qualitative and quantitative progress this period. Overall her growth rate compared to before beginning the Institutes' program is EXCELLENT!
In the last 6 months Tatum's neurological age increased by 6 months! This is a first for Tatum! Her growth rate for the last 6 months is 100%!!! Since our last visit to the Institutes in November of 2013, Tatum's rate of change is 204%.
When we began visiting the Institutes with Tatum in September 2012, Tatum was 13 months old but her neurological age was only 6.4 months. Her growth rate was 49%.
Since starting our program with the Institutes Tatum's overall growth rate has increased to 87%., an overall rate of change of 178%... so amazing. We continue to catch up!
Today, Tatum is 35.4 months old... almost 3. Our assessment rated Tatum's neurological age at 25.72 months - WOW. Tatum, you are a star.
The Institutes considers 6 different competencies when assessing a child's neurological age. Below is Tatum's personal competency summary:
- Tatum reads with total understanding (Visual competence)! The average child can do this at the age of 6 years. Tatum received an 'Understanding Victory' for this accomplishment today which means that she is at the top of the Institutes' developmental profile in this competency category and that she is performing above her age in 'understanding'.
- Tatum has an understanding of at least 2000 words and simple sentences (Auditory competence). The average child can do this at 3 years of age... we love being average!
- Tatum is able to determine characteristics of things by tactile means... for example she knows the difference between a bean and a soother by feel. The average child can do this at the age of 3 as well. (Tactile competence)
- Tatum is able to move her body in prone position (on her tummy). The average child can do this at 2.5-5 months of age. We have been stuck at a newborn level in this category for 2 years so to move up in the Mobility category is a huge victory for Tatum!
- Tatum is able to make at least 2 words (but less than 10) of speech used spontaneously and meaningfully. In the past 6 months Tatum has regularly said 'hug', 'all done' and 'up'. This adds to the word she was previously saying which was 'Dada'. (Language)
- Manual competence is still a work in progress but Tatum is getting closer to picking up things in a pinch!
Being back here is motivating and inspiring for Chris and I and it always fuels my fire. The affirmation that Tatum is progressing in a very positive way makes me want to keep at it! Seeing the other children in the program beating all odds is mind blowing. Today we met a little boy who is likely 12 years old crawl his way from the front door to his seat. He crawled with a smile on his face and was so determined! We also witnessed him speak fluently in English, French and Spanish! Another little boy was very off balance 6 months ago and his eyes constantly flickered back and forth... today his eyes were perfectly straight and bright and his balance was incredible! Today was a good reminder to me that it is not time to pack it in... it is a good time to find the strength and energy to keep driving towards healing Tatum and helping her be the best she can be.
Tatum has been finding great joy in 'cause and effect' activities lately... this was on our drive home from the Institutes today. Very appropriate! Yay Tatum!
