Prayer Requests

This past week Jonah has done a few new things. 

1.      He has started to use a play grocery cart to move around which is a great start to when we get a walker!

2.      While with OT we observed him utilizing a tool to execute a task. What this looked like for him was he used a small wooden stick from a toy to spin his spinner instead of his hands. This showed us he has an understanding of using objects for a purpose. This is great to see as Jonah has never held anything in his hands. He has never wanted to hold an object that touched the palm of his hands and if it did he would throw it. He has only ever touched things if he can pick them up with his fingertips. This leads the way for using a spoon or fork down the road so this great! He has repeated this a few times over the past week. This led us to try giving him a marker and some paper to color. A task we have tried multiple times with no luck as he has never grasped objects nor understood the concept or meaning of coloring. I was in tears when he made his first independent scribbles! Jonah has his first picture on the fridge which is just a joy for my mama heart! This opens the door to further progress of simple life skills. 

We are in the process of getting an OAT or Organic Acids Test done for him. The Organic Acids Test (OAT) is a urine-based panel that measures 76 organic acids to assess metabolic function, gut health, mitochondrial efficiency, detoxification, and neurotransmitter balance, helping identify nutrient deficiencies or toxin exposures linked to chronic conditions. It is commonly used in functional medicine for patients with fatigue, mood disorders, autism, or suspected metabolic imbalances.

We have unsuccessfully been trying to capture good urine for weeks now. Ive sent in 2 samples, but they were too diluted for testing. It must be first thing in the morning, we have to apply an adhesive baggie onto him and in his diaper before he wakes enough to pee and keep him upright to keep it in the bag, then stand him and peel it off. It’s so difficult. His functional medicine doctor wants us to try a cotton ball method to soak up his urine instead of using the bags. Fingers crossed we can get a good sample. This test is very important for him and can give us great insight into his overall health and any areas that need addressing. 

Please pray we can get this test sample done and the lab accepts our 3rd try. 

This week I am really trying to push using toys that have a tool to utilize such as a xylophone, hammer, and markers. 

I wanted to ask for prayers for specific needs for Jonah. While he is making so many big strides, he has so far to go. Please be in prayer for him for:

-Ability to go from sitting to standing without help.

- Understanding of wet and dry diapers (potty training is not something we are even looking at right now)

-Expanding his menu of “safe foods” (foods he will eat) as he only has about 5 things he will eat right now. 

- Weight gain. He is thin and eats such a lean and limited diet we would love to see him put on some weight. He is definitely on the lower percentile for weight. 

- Tolerate teeth brushing. Many kids like Jonah end up needing to be fully sedated to get their teeth cleaned. We want to avoid this, but at this point we are unable to brush his teeth well enough to prevent issues. This is a major sensory nightmare to him. 

- Functional words, and for him to take to a communication style. Currently he has not caught on to the AAC(ipad) well enough to use it functionally and has not shown an understanding of a printed picture system. 

- Reciprocal play. We would love to see him be able to play with his siblings and interact with them. 

- Matching and stacking. This is a simple childhood milestone that we have not completed yet. He needs to understand the concept and have the coordination and dexterity to execute it. 

- Dressing or assisting in dressing. This is another life skill we work on daily and one that will provide independence down the road. 

 We are so committed to his development and progress, and we thank you all for helping support him and for all our prayer warriors!

Check out his picture on the fridge under my daily reminder of God's timing! What a blessing.
-The Mabes