Monday, July 19, 2010

A Diagnosis and Chai Tea Cupcakes

So another intensely busy week has begun. I feel a little overwhelmed with all the appointments and meetings for Davey, and the etsy shop orders keep piling up. I've had so many custom orders with specific deadlines in the past couple of weeks that I've stayed up past midnight every night and risen at 6:00 am just trying to keep up.
As many of you have been probably been wondering, we did receive an "official" diagnosis for Davey last week. After his long morning appointment with a speech therapist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, child psychiatrist, and pediatrician, Davey has been diagnosed with high-functioning autism. I have in hand an Autism Speaks 100 Day Kit that is helping us understand a little more of what the future is going to be like with this diagnosis. We still have a lot to learn, and tomorrow we will be discussing specific therapy options and preschool possibilities with the special education therapists. I am still processing the diagnosis - amazed that God found us worthy to undertake such a task and terrified of the responsibility and life changes.

I'll keep you all updated on our little man as we continue through this process. Davey did amazingly well throughout the long process and especially enjoyed the physical therapy room with its balance beams and bouncy balls. The therapist discovered that Davey has very little core strength, causing sitting up and climbing up into his car seat to be an exhausting task. This is why he has such poor balance and has difficulty doing simple tasks, like walking backwards or jumping off a step.

Meanwhile, I wanted to share a recipe I discovered recently when I was getting ready for a premiere jewelry party. I made these chai tea latte cupcakes - divine! and so here is the recipe:
Vanilla Chai Tea Latte Cupcakes
Ingredients:
1/2 cup sugar
2 oz butter, softened
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground ginger
dash of salt
1 or 2 chai tea bags
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place liners into cupcake pan.(recipe make about twelve)
Heat up milk on stove, remove from stove. Place tea bags into milk, cover and steep for 5-10 minutes.
Cream sugar and butter together. Mix in egg and vanilla. Mix in milk.
Sift flour, baking powder, spices and salt together. Mix dry and wet ingredients together.
Divide batter into cupcake liners. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until a tester inserted comes out clean.
Allow to cool before frosting with your favorite buttercream frosting. Sprinkle with cinnamon. :)

Yummo! Happy Monday all!
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4 comments:

  1. My son has a half brother that has been "unofficially" diagnosed with high functioning autism. You will be amazed at the difference the therapies will make. He still has his moments and his quirks, but the last time I was there, he actually interacted with me. This is amazing considering that before he wouldn't even look at me, much less speak! Of course, he also tried to push me out the door since my son was there and he felt like I'd done my job by getting him there! :) But, just know that there is a lot of support out there for you and your child!

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  2. Okay, so I've gotten way behind on my blog reading and commenting (sorry!). Wow! You've been dealing with a great deal lately! Glad you got an "official" diagnosis. I know there is a lot of support out there for autism. I have very little exposure to it myself, so I'll shut up now. Just know I'll be praying for you!

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  3. Having a diagnosis is the first step in dealing with anything. So glad that you now know what you have to deal with. I know that you are one of the best teachers I have ever met so Davey will be a step ahead of all the other kids. Love you and praying for you and your family.

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  4. I'm so sorry - I'm glad you have a diagnosis, but what a blow. I know that when I'm dealing with something intense like this, it is helpful for me to have photography or blogging or other projects to loose myself in. I hope that your beautiful work is bringing you comfort.

    Cheers,
    Anne

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