I'll be honest. The quantity of services given by Pennsylvania Early Intervention (EI) is pretty paltry compared to California. I can't comment on the quality yet, but as for quantity and the philosophy being more consult than treatment, it's not that great. In California, we were awarded 6 hours a week of therapy, and in PA most kids get one hour a week (which is what Evan will be getting through the state.) But really it's OK, since I don't think Evan needs much more than they awarded him. While none of this surprises me, I am grateful that we were in CA when Evan needed the services most, because clearly it helped.
Jeff and I knew that Evan was doing really well, but it always validates proud parents' feelings when you are told by an expert third party that your medically challenged kid is basically almost developmentally on level. Paraphrased, what the Pennsylvania EI woman told us is, "if Evan didn't have seizures,* he wouldn't even qualify for state services because he's not delayed enough." This sentence is used to describe a kid who, less than 1 year ago, was rated in the bottom 1% by California Early Intervention. To say we are thrilled at his progress is an understatement.
He tested slightly behind for everything but language; this, he tested at age level. Even the skills he tested behind on were just a couple of months behind. After going through all this, I don't consider 2 months "behind" really delayed; these tests are so skewed and kids develop at different paces, in a range of months. To say Evan is at exactly 19 months for one set of skills is almost ridiculous. I mean, do all kids really do X or Y at a specific month? (Don't answer that; it's redundant.)
With regards to his language development, I was getting worried until a few weeks ago, when Evan just started talking, pointing and naming everything, and saying words he's never said before. He also started being more receptive and following two step commands (e.g. "please pick up the book and put it in the basket.")
He's becoming quite a chatterbox. Among the 20 or so words he says within context are: down, this, that, kiwi, lemonade (na-na-ade,) moo, hot (points to stove,) cold (points to refrigerator,) hat, popcorn (pop-pop,) cat, dog, woof-woof, car. He also signs more, please, I want, and all done. When we left LA 6 weeks ago, he was barely saying 5 words and I was really concerned he needed speech therapy. But the little light just went on and now he's chatting up a storm!
*Kids that have epilepsy automatically qualify for state Early Intervention services in both CA and PA. Otherwise, the child must be 25% delayed to qualify for services.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
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9 comments:
never doubted how much of a smart cookie you have there. he sounds like he's doing great!!!
That's how it is with kids, from jibberish to public speaking overnight. That is such good news. A lot of the credit goes to his wonderful parents that lovingly teach with patience.
Hurray! Enjoy that receptiveness to two-step directions. They'll lose that again in about 2-3 years. Things like, "Put away your toys and come to the table," and "Pick up your socks and put them in the hamper," get ignored. LOL.
Sounds like he's right on target! My grandson would try to say a word and then, when it didn't come out right, not say it again for about 2 weeks...like he was practicing in his head. Then it would come out perfect... I worried that he'd never try anything until he could do it perfectly! But he does (he's 12 now) he still hates to make mistakes, but if they'd tested him, he would have come up behind!
That is wonderful news! I knew he would catch up with everyone. And, having a son who had EI speech therapy I completely understand where that worry came from. Now at age 6 I wonder why I ever worried and can't get him to be quiet. Sometimes his talking is exhausting.
Thank you for sharing such happy news. It has given me a huge smile after a long and weary week.
How great! I was really impressed with Evan when I saw him before you all left-- he was so bright and engaged. I don't think it's just the services in CA but also the wonderful parents he has that has gotten him so far!
Such fabulous news!
Hello, I just wanted to say I'm glad your son is doing well! My son has a hypothalamic pilocytic astrocytoma, so I can understand a lot of the things you've been through. It's just so good to see other kids doing so well!
www.caringbridge.org/visit/emersoncrane
Rvan is doing so well. My grandson was way behind in his speech development. At first we weren't worried but eventually he did have 6 months of speech therapy. He was not talking at all at Evan's age.
I am so happy for your little family that Evan is such a champ!!
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