ve posted before about DS's diagnosis of developmental delays and subsequent therapy through EI. We've reached our first quarterly review and his developmentalist gave me a head's up on her recommendations.
She'd like him to have a vision evaluation as his fine motor skills are still behind. He has issues using his hands, he holds his head a certain way to look at things, and he'll fixate on a lamp or window, so she thinks an eval would be beneficial.
She also suggested taking him to Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh to have him evaluated in their development center. Now that he's 13 months, there are bigger gaps in where he is vs. where he should be. He IS progressing, and has yet to plateau on anything, but he's still falling behind.
She said suggesting more evaluations is always the hardest part of her job and that she's not a doctor, so to think about it and discuss it before deciding. I noticed everything she mentioned, so it wasn't a shock.
For once, I am not blaming myself, because I do work with DS daily on his "homework" from his three different therapists. I will tell DH about it when he gets home, but I already know that we'll have both evals done. I also reassured the DV that she never has to be nervous or worry about voicing her concerns to us. She is the one with the education and experience and we trust her judgment. As DS's parents, it's our job to get him whatever help he needs, so if there's something more we can do, I want to do it.
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"I never understood why blessings wore disguises. If I were a blessing, I'd run around naked." - Sophia Petrillo
I had no idea baby Aardi was having delays. I'm sure you are doing everything you can and am glad to hear you aren't blaming yourself. I'm also glad you are open to getting him any help he needs! Great job Mom! Let us know if there is anything we can do to help.
My middle sister had a lot of delays when she was growing up, she had to go trough a lot to get her up to speed with the rest of the kids. She's 27 now and she's a very independent and smart woman, and that's because my mom never gave up on her.
I think baby Aardi will do great, he has a great mom besides him!
I've often wondered just how a baby's eyes are tested, since they can't say which lense is better. It sounds like you all have been working hard and I hope that if his vision is bad that improving it will help him.
I want to echo what Des said. My oldest had some difficulties due to vision impairment. Get the tests done early and find out what your options are and which ones work best for you and your family.
Through careful planning and lots of hard work our daughter was able to live on her own at the age of 18. She's 22 now and about to become a mother.
Thanks for the reassurance, guys. I don't know if the PT and OT also have additional things they'd liked checked, but we'll find out tomorrow. I will do whatever they feel is necessary. Looks like I'm finally going to get over my fear of driving in Pittsburgh alone!
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"I never understood why blessings wore disguises. If I were a blessing, I'd run around naked." - Sophia Petrillo
Everyone else has already said everything important, but I'll just add my thought that you are doing everything right. It's amazing how often professionals working with kids are hesitant to bring up the idea of evaluation or treatment directed at developmental issues because they're afraid of upsetting the parents.
And I'll also add for what it is worth that I have seen that babies (my clients and kids of my clients) who get thorough and early evaluation and interventions make astounding progress.
