Grayson is an animated, happy toddler who loves being around people – especially his big brother, Jameson.
At birth, Grayson struggled with low blood sugar and temperature regulation. He had an apneic episode and was on CPAP to help his breathing, along with a feeding tube after low energy levels left him unmotivated to eat.
After countless genetic tests and assessments from a neurologist, endocrinologist, audiologist, ENT specialists, an eye doctors and his pediatrician, there is still no known cause of Grayson’s global developmental delays.
Despite his parents’ ongoing determination to find answers, Mom, Kelsey, and Dad, Kasey, were committed to finding early intervention services to ensure Grayson had the resources to make developmental progress on his own terms. Their NICU nurse recommended Joya and Grayson started speech, physical, occupational and vision therapies at Joya shortly after.
“Our main goal is progress,” said his Mom, Kelsey. “Despite not finding a cause to his developmental delays, is he continuing to progress with his milestones? The answer is a resounding yes.”
Grayson has delayed visual maturation with eye crossing, making it difficult for him to focus on specific objects. Since receiving vision therapies at Joya, Grayson is now able to grab toys or teethers and bring them to his mouth.
With low muscle tone, Grayson also had to work with Joya’s physical therapists to build foundational strength and coordination to reach typical milestones like sitting upright, rolling over, and standing up with minimal support – all things he’s accomplished with his hero, Jameson, cheering him on.
In fact, when Jameson started showing speech delays when he was two years old, his parents decided to enroll him in speech services at Joya so the two brothers could learn and grow together.
“Grayson absolutely adores watching his older brother Jameson,” said Kelsey. “He is his biggest motivator, and he learns so much from him.”
Jameson’s vocabulary and communication skills have since seen dramatic improvement – he can clearly express his feelings, needs, and even his very strong opinions. He loves the group sessions and socialization provided by Joya, but still prefers to be snuggled up with his family at home watching Bluey or playing cars with his little brother Grayson.
*Originally published in March 2023
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