Yesterday, as we were sorting through the mail collected while we were out of town, we came across the official results of Garrett's evaluations for Early Intervention. It provided some rather interesting reading. Both the speech pathologist, and the special education instructor (who evaluated him a few days later) noted significant communication, as well as cognitive, delays in Garrett, enough for them both to strongly recommend he receive services. Whether or not he would receive them, however, was still up to the directors at EI.
A few minutes after we put the paperwork away, the phone rang. It was our service coordinator at Early Intervention calling with the news that Garrett has been deemed eligible for both speech therapy and special instruction. In the next week or so, an Individualized Family Service Plan (or IFSP) meeting will be scheduled where the course of Garrett's therapy will be outlined. Shortly thereafter, his sessions will begin.
I'm sure you can imagine how happy this news makes me. While on the one hand, it's hard to read through a report of how behind my child is falling, on the other, I'm pleased the results were what they were so that now he can get help. I was a little hesitant at first to accept the sessions in special instruction because, after all, Garrett seems to be a bright enough boy. But the more I think about it, the more I realize that he probably could benefit. The areas where he is delayed are likely related to his speech delay, and it can't hurt to do a little more to bring him up to speed.
So here we go. We're deep enough into the process that things can only move forward from here. Today Garrett pushed me out of his room and shut the door, preferring for what I think is the first time ever to play alone. He is growing up quickly. And it will be nice for his ability to express himself in words to start growing up with him.
4 comments:
This reminds me of when Zach was 18 months and he was a bit delayed in his physical abilities. I had him evaluated by the state and they sent the results and used the word "retarded" in their description. I knew he was behind, but this really bugged me! They also wanted me to put him in daycare 3 days/week to help his development. I promptly threw the paper away and started taking both of them to the playground at the mall where he could climb and crawl on a fun cushioned surface. He eventually caught up.
But it is so true what you say, how as mothers we can get a bit defensive when people criticize our kids, even if it is justified.
I am glad he will get some help. I am sure improvement will be soon to follow.
Hooray for Early Intervention! (this is coming from a pediatric occupational therapist's wife). I'm sure good things are to come!
That's so great that you're able to get the help this early. Garrett's a lucky kid to have you as an advocate for him and his learning. :)
Good luck with this process. I kind of feel like an idiot--Garrett's the 2nd kid I know that I spent all this energy reassuring their mom that Patrick was just like that and then just took off talking. Yeah, Bridger's in EI now too. I should just learn to shut up. :)
Seriously though, good luck wading through the SpEd process. It can be so helpful and yet so frustrating all at the same time.
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