03/09/2026
Now that we've had our meeting with the school and given them results, I can share Laylas neuropsych testing info.
The first one was pretty major. They said there was evidence of white matter damage which resulted in problems with executive function. For most people this allows them to plan ahead and stay on task. For Layla that means she struggles doing either of those. At home we see her not being able to plan out her nights at the studio. Thinking about what she needs for the night (shoes, school work to do during her breaks, supper because we're there all night). She grabs her phone and is out the door. At school this means an inability to plan out a longer assignment such as a research paper or project. She also will struggle to stay on task with longer assignments. They actually felt comfortable being able to diagnose her with ADD. Getting that diagnosis just helps us better be able to understand the role of executive function and be able to offer her help in more areas.
They also found her hearing memory to be almost non existent. As early as 45 seconds information was already gone. Quite literally in one ear and out the other for her. At home we are finding ways to give reminders instead of just telling her to do things. Checklists have been our friend.. it allows her some independence as I just have to tell her to do the list, but she is able to complete the tasks on her own. At dance I've been taking her aside and offer demonstrations on corrections and having her do them, because if I just tell her to straighten her leg or turn the other way, it's gone before the dance even ends. School has put a plan in place to offer visual aids for material they are learning.
She also has some anxiety, mostly stressor related so she was diagnosed with adjustment disorder with anxiety. This just means adjusting to her new life post treatment, and with these new bumps in the road is causing her some anxiety, which is totally normal given her history.
Obviously there are lots more examples of how these things affect her daily. What I liked was that when I went through results with the hospital I was able to relate each area of concern with something I see her doing, or struggling to do, daily. Nothing was a surprise, now we just have a why.
The school and I ultimately decided to do an IEP for Layla. Hopefully this will help in areas she is struggling, and give her teachers a better insight into why she does some of the things she does. With some creative adjustments, I think it's totally doable to keep her in regular classes and still get her where she needs to be.
The life of a cancer mom never ends, it just changes 💛
