Yesterday Miles had a psychological evaluation at Texas Children's. It went well although it was a bit draining for everyone. They had three main recommendations.

1. Have a neuropsychological evaluation - Neuropsychological evaluation (NPE) is a testing method through which a neuropsychologist can acquire data about a subject’s cognitive, motor, behavioral, language, and executive functioning. In the hands of a trained neuropsychologist, these data can provide information leading to the diagnosis of a cognitive deficit or to the confirmation of a diagnosis, as well as to the localization of organic abnormalities in the central nervous system (CNS); the data can also guide effective treatment methods for the rehabilitation of impaired patients. NPE can include testing of intelligence, attention, memory, and personality, as well as of problem solving, language, perceptual, motor, academic, and learning abilities. Apparently this will be very involved and extensive...which is good.

2. Have a NEW OT evaluation at TCH. The evaluator yesterday said they would do what they could to push it through to get it sooner than later. You can see a big difference between Miles' work at school and the work from the other kindergarteners who are a year younger. He can write his name every time but sometimes it’s backwards (Aunt Chris says this isn't abnormal) and most of the time really tough to decipher the letters. That is the only thing he can write consistently but if we help move his hand he can write most anything else.

3. They would like Miles to go to a clinic at TCH for children with chronic illnesses that have issues with anxiety. He gets anxious about many things and has a tough time with change. They said that since he was in the NICU at TCH he has a good chance of getting in to this clinic unless they aren’t currently accepting new patients.

I am hoping that I will hear from them soon about getting all of this scheduled. In the meantime I am trying my best to help him do well at school. I have been telling him to ‘think green!’ and the other day he wore green silly bands to help remind him to be green and he DID get a green WITH a smiley face! He was so proud! We know he can do it but it takes constant reminding and focus from everyone. My memory is for s most of the time so this has been tough for me too! His teacher has been great and very encouraging to Miles as well! She has quickly fallen in love with him but most people do :)

Riley had a similar eval at the recommendation of his teacher last year – she thought he may have ADD or something. He was getting distracted easily and sometimes not finishing his tests/assignments. Heard back from that eval yesterday - the dr says – he is a normal/typical 8yr old kiddo – doing great! No follow up recommendations needed :) So far this year he is doing great in school so we aren’t concerned right now.

Thank you all so much for your prayers and msgs :)

Go Texans!