AMY O’DELL, M.Ed., LPC, TRS,CNC
Founder/Director, Jacob’s Ladder
The journey began in 1992 as I was informed that my pregnancy was labeled as high-risk and would require close monitoring from the fourth month until delivery. The result was total bed rest with frequent visits to the hospital to drain excess amniotic fluid caused by the large mass growing around the umbilical cord. Blood flow and thereby oxygenation to the baby were disturbed. His growth and development was compromised daily.
Delivery was high risk as well. After Jacob's birth he had difficulty breathing on his own, and his oxygen saturation levels remained consistently low. Thus further compromising his newly developing brain.
The first two years of Jacob's life were filled with frequent medical appointments, assessments, evaluations and conflicting diagnosis.
As a new mother, I remember feeling afraid, overwhelmed and helpless. I was attending all the appointments, but never left feeling as if I had learned anything to make a difference for my son. When Jacob turned two, we made a different decision.
It was time to stop focusing on assessments and probable diagnosis. It was time to take stock of exactly where we were functionally and devise a plan to move forward.
Even with the numerous issues, Jacob had a sparkle in his eye and a grin that would light up the entire room. I knew he had potential. My job was to figure out how to help him access that potential.
By the time he turned three I had discovered The Neurodevelopmental Approach. Jacob's Ladder is now based on this very intensive approach to learning. Over three years I received training in evaluations, program design and program implementation as Jacob and I simultaneously worked his program. Our program covered every weak area of functioning and its purpose was to rebuild and create a strong neurological system from the ground up. We did not work on skills per say for many years. We focused on the foundational level - How does his brain receive, process, store and utilize all incoming information.
Improvement was slow in the beginning. We saw some areas improve slightly within the first few months; other areas have taken years to show significant improvement. One example of improvement was Jacob's foot hypersensitivity. He would literally cry in pain when I put on his socks and shoes. I worked diligently stimulating his feet with all different types of tactile input and within a few months putting on his socks and shoes became a non-issue! On the other hand we worked for over a year and a half to just recognize and retain recognition of the letters A, B, C, D, and E. Almost two years. His brain just could not receive or process visual information, store it or use it effectively or efficiently. His motor skills and strength improved slowly. It was difficult to learn to walk; his balance was of great concern and learning to walk the stairs or on uneven surfaces was especially difficult.
Fast forward 14 years. The child who could not retain 5 letters of the alphabet at age 5 and 6 can now read and comprehend at a twelfth grade level. The child who struggled to stand and walk loves to run, wrestle and play football. The nonverbal child now expresses himself eloquently. The sensory play is gone. He is also performing ninth grade math, which amazingly is the appropriate grade level for his age.
I refer to Jacob as my teacher. We had to work so hard in virtually every area to strengthen and increase his level of functioning. While it has been a lot of work and quite difficult at times, I wouldn't change one thing about this journey with him. We take nothing for granted. We are thankful daily for each new thing he learns and way he excels.
What do I believe as a result of this journey? I believe with all that I am that every child can progress towards their highest potential if given the right stimulation with enough frequency and intensity.
I know that there is hope for any child who is learning with differences, no matter how great or small those differences might be.