hypotonic babe

ive been reading more and more about hypotonia.  wikipedia says even in the first paragraph that diagnosing the cause of hypotonia is often unsuccessful.  it goes on to say that it can be helped with early intervention.  we have the ei coordinator coming by today to fill out paper work for hazel to be evaluated but she made sure to tell me on the phone that it has to be effecting education and at least a 30% delay to qualify.  this information i already know and all my spec ed background will help me make a case that it is linked to education in so many ways.  im so glad i dont have a job like this lady's anymore.  its not her fault, but spec ed has changed so much and its so hard to get your kids help.  with a diagnosis she acted like we may be able to get the services.  but in a previous post you read that we wont be doing that anytime soon.  silly you have to have a label and wait until there is a huge gap of delays to receive treatment.

sorry im getting side tracked.... back to info about hypotonia.  down the road we may see difficulties with gross motor things like riding a bike, climbing, falling down stairs easily, running, etc.  possibly difficulties with potty training, standing for long periods, sitting in a chair for long periods like for school and such, and handwriting is difficult for hypotonic kids because it take a lot of trunk support.  who would have known.  i already notice hazel leaning forward onto her hands a lot if shes been sitting and playing awhile.  it gives her little body a rest.  but hypotonic kids can have really bad posture b/c of this too.

also, when we were at the neuro appt the dr turned to the student who was in the room and explained to her that babies with low tone have big bellies like hazel does.  didnt know this either.  i have read a lot about their doughy skin and hazel has this.  but i guess i didnt realize all her rolls and baby fat that is still there is due to this too.  i guess it makes sense.  we all talk about 'toning up'.  well hazel's tone will always be low so although she can increase muscle strength, she may be a little soft :)  if any of you have seen teen mom there is that little twin girl on there with low tone and she has the rolls like my haze.

most research says that hypotonia can be considered a type of muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy.  a lot of the tests they were going to do on hazel could have told us this, but if they came back negative i think you can still classify it into either of these categories based on symptoms.  they dont think the problem is in hazels brain, but in her muscles.  to us it doesnt really matter.  some people have such mild forms of things such as cp and never would know it.  it will still be the same treatment.  if things are hard for her in school and we feel like we need some sort of diagnosis for accommodations to be made we may do it at that time.

so theres a little more info on hypotonia for any of you curious readers!  wish me luck today!  maybe ill show her that wikipedia says we need ei :)