Sleepy boys... little and big

I really owe you some sort of detailed explanation for the video clip I've linked towards the end of this post... but I'm too tired to type.

Truth be told, anyone who has been reading this journal for any length of time has probably caught some subtle allusions to the fact that our youngest son has some sensory issues.  That statement really deserves a post (or 3) all its own, but for the purposes of context, the video I've posted here was taken last night at Hadassah's sleep clinic where I took Yonah for a sleeping EEG (Electroencephalogram).

What we don't know about Yonah could fill volumes.  We know he is a bright, lovable, delicious little boy... who didn't speak at three, and craved certain sensory input while loathing others.  Basically, we don't know exactly what's up with Yonah. 

We have heard doctors and clinicians use an alphabet of acronyms... only to back away a few months later and toss out a few more letters.  PDD? Aspergers? Autistic? Who the heck knows?

Last year he was in a special gan where he received a dizzying array of therapies and assistance and has made huge leaps towards catching up with his peers.  He is back in the gan this year and is truly thriving... but our pediatrician still wants to figure out what is going on with him.

So last night Yonah and I packed an overnight bag and went to a sleep clinic in Jerusalem and had our own little slumber party... under the supervision of a half dozen technicians.  I originally brought the camera to document the occasion for Zahava since they only allowed one parent to attend.  But it turned out to be useful as a distraction.   I mean, think about trying to wire up a kid with sensory issues with a dozen electrodes, a thing under his nose and a blood oxygen meter on his finger... and then getting him to go to sleep.

I think the only reason he let us do this was that he was too busy hamming it up for the camera to notice.  I was so proud of how he handled this scary adventure... and well, you can see for yourself (if you are at work you might want to turn down the speakers... or close the door).

As I said earlier, this is really a topic that deserves a post of its own... and I imagine Zahava or I will probably write it one of these days.  I think one of the reasons we haven't so far is that we're a little afraid of the comments we might get.  Our little boy isn't sick in the conventional sense so wishes of 'I hope he gets better' are not really called for.  He isn't retarded... in fact the doctors all agree he is smart as a whip.   

Yonah just experiences the world around him a little bit differently than most of us... which offers some challenges as to how he will get along in it. 

Tests like the one he had last night will hopefully help the professionals know what is - and isn't - wrong, and give us all the tools to help him grow up to live a normal, happy life.  One thing that is for sure, though:   He is a bubbly, friendly little boy who charms everyone he meets... and is the apple of his very tired father's eye.

Goodnight.

Here's another link to the video in case you missed it above: CLICK HERE