Monday, August 24, 2009

early intervention evaluation

Today a developmental and an occupational therapist came to evaluate Hannah for early intervention services. We had a phone call on our answering machine Sunday night that they were changing our appointment time. I was able to switch things around at work to arrive home 15 minutes after the appointment began. I tried to sneak into the front door hoping Hannah wouldn't make a scene and come screeching and crawling to me like she often does when I come home. Instead, she was eagerly playing with developmental toys, looked up briefly at me, and then kept on playing with the two women and their big bag of toys! In the end, the therapists expressed what we already knew. Hannah has great fine motor skills but her gross motor skills are delayed. They also classified her as language delayed, but all other areas check out fine. Next week we'll have an eligibility determination/individual family service plan meeting to see if we qualify, and then choose what therapies we'd like to receive and what therapists we'd like to receive them from. I'm scoping out the First Steps physical therapists and speech pathologists that service our area to be able to tell them who'd I'd like, and we'll go from there. I have a strong feeling that we're not going to have problems qualifying because they considered Hannah's walking to be markedly delayed. Now I'm wishing that I would have pushed for this much earlier. I'd encourage any parent just thinking about the possible need for early intervention services to go ahead and pick up the phone now, rather than wait and look out for more red flags of delays.

In other fun news... I've picked out Hannah's first Halloween costume. Any guesses to what she'll be for her first Halloween? I'm eager to read what you think I'd choose!

16 comments:

  1. Don't feel bad about not getting Hannah checked out right away! Babies develop at their own paces and I am sure that the steps that you've taken will give her exactly the help that she needs. She will be up to speed in no time and before you know it, you'll be wiping your tears as she heads to kindergarten!

    What will Hannah be for Halloween? Hmmm...
    A bumble bee??? I am just trying to think of costumes that would be great to photograph...

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  2. My guess is a ladybug for Halloween. No matter what she is, I am sure she will be absolutely adorable!!! I also second your comments on early intervention. They are great, and it doesn't hurt anything to get an evaluation. Our little man is getting speech therapy.

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  3. The most obvious would be ladybug. But knowing how creative you are, it could be anything, but I KNOW it will be cute. Can hardly wait til you reveal!! You will reveal soon, wontcha??!!

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  4. I think you did great Mama! With little ones it's hard to determine if what you're seeing are true signs, or just a different patten of development. It's awesome that you get to choose your services and therapists. We were not given any flexibility with this. Gracyn is just about to transition from her IFSP to an IEP with the school. It's SOOOO different. . .

    Keep us posted on her progress!! She'll grow by leaps and bounds!!

    Hmmmm, for Halloween. . .A bumblebee, a witch, or Tinkerbell. But then again, you're super duper creative, so it's probably nothing we'd ever guess!

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  5. A Pumpkin?
    She is a cute little pumpkin :)
    Dawn

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  6. i agree w/ others. don't feel bad about not getting Hannah Claire evaluated sooner. There's such a wide range of developmental time frames! and she may not have even been ready for this next step any earlier than this! it's perfect timing, as you've already seen her start to grow in so many areas! i bet you'll be amazed at how fast she soaks things up! so great that ya'll get to chose the therapists!

    halloween...hmmm: i may have to guess ladybug too. or an engineer...but i'm not sure how that could be pulled off! :)

    hope you have a wonderful week! love seeing pictures of your precious angel!

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  7. Don't doubt yourself. You always have Hannah's best interest. You are a wonderful mother. Hugs from Indy! Mary's guess for Halloween...a ladybug!

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  8. The kids always love the big bag of toys! Early Intervention is a great program to any child/family that needs it. When Emily came home at 18 months, she didn't crawl (never did), didn't walk, didn't hold a bottle. Delayed 6-9 months, at the least. She was evaluated and received therapy with OT, PT, and a teacher. They taught us things to "play" at home, that were really fun and helped her so much. I loved all their help! She did wonderfully and today you would never know there was ever an issue. Hannah will do great and have so much fun!!!

    Halloween.....ummm, bumble bee, lady bug, a princess? She will look adorable in anything you create!! :-)

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  9. Hey, just adding my thoughts too....you are doing an incredible job and your love and commitment shines through in each post! I do appreciate your thoughts though and agree that Mamas should always trust their intuition! I'm certain that HC will continue to thrive!!

    Hmmm....she's gonna look adorable no matter the costume....maybe a pink poodle or baby blossom(flower?). I can't wait to see!!
    :) Hugs! Lisa

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  10. You're helping her flourish and doing a great job!

    If there is a lantern costume, then maybe that would be it. Isn't she your little lantern?

    Otherwise- ladybug, pumpkin, kitty cat... those are all the easily obtained baby costumes.

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  11. no one has guessed Hello Kitty yet!

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  12. Welcome to the Early Intervention club! It's a long and exhausting road but well worth it. :-)

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  13. I'm giggling at all of these guesses. :)

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  14. I know what shes gonna be. TeeHee! Can't wait to see her in her costume.

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