Ponderings on Early Intervention--a constant theme of mine.

B's class at Kennedy Krieger is almost done--and while I'm sad about it I am ready for it to be done.  I know I've mentioned that in my earlier posting this week.  Today was one of those days, though, when he did so many cute things, said a lot of words, and really made me feel like "he gets it." Yesterday at his home visit and today in class he was using a new word, "under", in the correct context and it sounds so benign, but it just makes my heart jump out of my chest to hear him talk.  I cannot even think or imagine where he would be (or wouldn't be) had it not been for the wonderful people at REACH at Kennedy Krieger. 

I continue to be amazed that there are parents out there who know or feel that their children  aren't meeting milestones but yet are not seeking out Early Intervention services--whether private or through a local public school program.  I was talking about this on Monday at one of our final parent trainings and I think I get why parents aren't pursuing help.  I guess it's obvious but they are in denial--they hear a professional, say someone from the local Infants and Toddlers/Birth-to-three program say "Susie is just speech delayed, she'll catch up" or "Joey is fine, he'll be talking soon enough..."  and they WANT to believe it.  Am I really so unique that when those things are presented (my child isn't/wasn't meeting milestones and I pushed to get answers) that I go for the gusto, go in fighting for my kid? I can't possibly be the only parent who would do that!! Sometimes I feel that way though...

When I see where A. is--at 7 1/2 years old she is in a typical educational setting in our local school--I know that it is the result of hard work.  On her part, my part, Hubby's part, and countless other professionalls and not-professionals helping us along the way.  We got through things pretty easily with C. and perhaps we even thought we were getting there with B. too...but when Dr. Landa noticed B's head lag early last August we sprang into action.  While I have certainly had days when I was worried--what parent wouldn't??--I have been pretty certain, based on what progress I have seen, that Ben is well on his way to a pretty typical childhood.  So far his "development arc" seems to be following Cassie's and not Addie's.  Still though--I am continuing to search out strategies and programs that are going to keep us on the right page, the right trajectory.  It's my job!! In this season of thankfulness I would be remiss not to mention just how grateful I am for my Hubby.  His hard work and dedication to the field of Energy & Environmental Law are the main reason I get to be B's number one therapist, advocate, and giant playmate.   Things are always a little crazy--and the afternoons/evenings can sometimes make me feel like I'm drowning....but it's a good life.  Really. 

In other news--I am now seriously considering going back to school to pursue a dream I've had for years now.  I would like to become a Speech-Language Pathologist and focus on working with little ones--I've been doing it as a parent for a while now and I feel that I could let that talent be nurtured into something more.  It's scary, and still a few years away, but I'm excited. Really excited. 

In still other news--stay tuned--Ben and I may be on TV in the coming weeks!!! (Thanks to our friends at Kennedy Krieger, of course!) 

Sleep Well, my friends!

Ramblings of a Crazy Woman

*I have noticed that boys are different than girls. I am forever worried that I will be hauled away because of the constant bruising on B.

*I love having dinner with Hubby after the kids are in bed. On the menu tonight? Omaha Steak, creamed spinach, mashed sweet potatoes.

*I feel like I should come into the 21st century and have a SmartPhone with a calendar on it. I can't get past needing a huge fold out big-block book calendar. I can't be the only one.

*I would love to go on the Ellen show. I think it would a ton of fun to be in the audience. Still trying to think of how to be a guest though.

*C is having her tonsils out in January. I'm worried...but know it'll be best in the long run. I do not want her to have to go through the "adult" version of this! Sure dropping 20lbs in 2 weeks is great--but when something makes me not want to drink water, when something makes ice cream look bad...well, enough said.

*I am watching "The Talk" on CBS. It's sort of a new guilty pleasure. I want to see them do more on Autism awareness and Early Intervention Awareness. Maybe I need to write Holly Robinson Peete a little letter...

*I try to understand what makes C. prefer jumping through the house, rather than walking. Her preference is always more intense during B's naps. This fills me with rage.

*There is nothing in the world as good to me as brie. If I could have a love affair with food, it would absolutely be with brie. Brie, how I love you.

*I can't figure out formatting this blog. I just bought a book about blogging. Will try to learn!!

*I think I have a Facebook problem.

Little Learners Is Coming to an End....Say it Ain't So!!

I have had this feeling before.

It was five years ago and we were finish up Early Achievements with A. It was a six month program during which I felt safe and secure in my parenting/therapist duties for A. Toward the end I was pregnant with C (hormonal? perhaps!) and feeling like my world was coming to an end. That's not to say that I didn't learn a LOT by the end of the program--we had once weekly parent training sessions that (to me, at least) were both informative and therapeutic. I just felt like my safety net was being pulled out from under me.

Fast forward!

Little Learners for B is ending in just three short weeks. I am very happy to report that I do not feel the dread I felt five years ago. I have rationalized it by reminding myself that I am busier now (I have 2 more children than I did back then!) and less time to worry about things--but the truth is that I am confident that I can and will do what needs to be done to keep B on track. I know that I can make appointments, I can drive to appointments, I can follow the strategies that Jenny and Emily have taught me, and that I can play a central role in B's development. I am glad to have this under my belt--I've been through it all before--but this time I feel empowered.

Selfishly, I have to admit that I am glad to have our schedule ease up, especially as we enter the busy Thanksgiving & Christmas season. I'll miss our Monday morning gab sessions (eh, parent training sessions) and miss seeing B interact with his two little girlfriends, Becca and Natalie, but a big part of me is excited to have some normal (what's that again?) stuff going on. Hopefully we will increase our time with Mary Pat and Carole and we'll probably be adding a speech therapist as well. In addition to that we have an evaluation set up at The Vines Early Intervention Center--so we may be adding that as well. Geez...maybe I'll be busier now that Little Learners is ending...

Well--we know what Early Intervention can do so you know what??

I'm in.

Happy November, folks!!
tlc