Early Intervention

I am so confused as to what to do. Little background...

At 9 months, Analia and Tony were evaluated. There were no concerns in physical, speech or developmental.

At 13 months, Analia and Tony were evaluated. There were no concerns with Tony in physical or developmental. They want to re-eval Tony in 3 months for speech, specifically language expression. No concerns with Analia in phyiscal. Therapist confident she'll progress and walk soon. They want to re-eval Analia in 3 months for speech, specifically language expression. They feel that Analia should have developmental therapy 1x a week.

I am not sure if I fully understand their reasoning behind their recommendation. First of all, I believe the Dev. Therapist at my home that day was not very good. She was becoming visibily agitated that my daughter was a little attached to her bottle that morning. Second, when I woke my daughter up from her AM nap I knew it was going to be an off morning for her.

Analia does take a while to warm up to people but once she does she is fine and fun. The therapist said she wasn't into her toys. I see her playing all the time with her toys... putting objects in other objects to make them make sound, putting cards away in box, standing up and making things light up, reading her books.

I feel because she was recommended that we should go along with it but at the same time because it was based on 2006 taxes (while I was still working) our monthly fee is crazy. Although it doesn't seem like our insurance will cover all that much for therapy. Plus, I don't even know where to begin to have her evaluated outside of EI/State. If the DT therapist assigned to my daughter states after 1 month she is fine, then we have to continue to pay the crazy fee until they are re-evaluated for speech.

And the biggest question .... is it TOO early to have premature twins evaluated at this age??? They were 6 weeks early. Yes, EI is taking that into consideration but a few I have talked to thought it was crazy they were being evaluated before 2 years. HELP.

 

I don't think it is too early to be evaluated. Grace was evaluated right after turning one.

We weren't actually recommended for therapy. The EI rep just comes out once a month, talks to me, and watches Grace. Asks about any concerns I have, gives us activities to stimulate anything she appears to be slightly behind in. She did say that if Grace was not walking by her next visit (in mid-September) then she'd refer her for therapy to get that ball moving because sometimes it takes a while with the beginning of the school year.

Lo and behold, Grace took her first steps on her own last week. Really, the normal range for walking is 9-18 months, and Grace had 2 months tacked onto that for prematurity. So 20 months was her upper limit. Her sister walked at 11 months, big huge difference between the two.

 

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And the biggest question .... is it TOO early to have premature twins evaluated at this age??? They were 6 weeks early. Yes, EI is taking that into consideration but a few I have talked to thought it was crazy they were being evaluated before 2 years.


Not at all. My twins were also born at 34w, and EI has been coming to visit every 4 weeks ever since they came home from the NICU. Like Susan says, it's very laid back. They just come, play with the babies, talk to me. The whole point of Early Intervention is EARLY intervention - the sooner you catch any developmental problems, the easier it is to help the child. It feels good to have that reassurance that everything is right on track.

And EI doesn't mean there's anything wrong with your kids! Only that you're in a risk group where SOME kids are more likely to have problems. I really enjoy the EI visits - it's like a free pedi. house call.

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First of all, I believe the Dev. Therapist at my home that day was not very good.


Sure sounds like it from everything you write. She really ought to take your daughter's personality into account, AND the fact that she was woken up from a nap! Sheesh! When EI comes to me, if the babies are having an off day (overtired, or just woke up) it is totally obvious to them. And they take my word for it when I tell them things. At one early visit, DD wasn't lifting her head at all during tummy time. I told them she was tired, that she usually lifts it x amount - and that was cool. Nobody knows your kids better than you do, and they should respect that.

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She was becoming visibily agitated that my daughter was a little attached to her bottle that morning.


WTH??? What on earth is wrong with wanting a bottle?

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Plus, I don't even know where to begin to have her evaluated outside of EI/State.


You could ask your pedi. where else to get evaluated - and also his/her opinion on whether the kids need therapy or not.

So what do you think about them needing therapy for language expression? I'd just go with your instinct on that one. If you feel like they're behind and could use a little help, go for it. If you think everything's ok, you can wait a bit.

 

We started early intervention immediately after leaving the NICU (at 9 weeks). My guys were born at 30 weeks. We had someone come to the house every 2 weeks until they were 6 months. We now have someone come to the house every six months and calls me monthly for updates/concerns.

I truly feel like earliest is best. Take advantage of everything they offer. It is best for your kiddies!!

 

I agree, it is never too early to have them evaluated! If they do need therapy the earlier they get it the better.

My two were recommended for EI services through our county's infants and toddlers program by the NICU. They automatically qualified due to low birth weight. They were seen from 2 months until 18 months. My twins were released from services this month, they no longer need them and really haven't since they started walking at 13 months.

I am a bit confused why you are paying for services? Is this though your county's EI program? Are they all not free? We didn't pay anything for any of our services, is this just something that Maryland has?

 

We have both of ours in EI and have since 6 months old for torticolis. Now they are also working with one of the boys who is intent on walking on his tiptoes. This program made a huge difference for both boys. I believe the earlier you start, the faster the babies will progress in the program. Both boys were "cured" of torticolis within months and the tiptoe walking has almost been resolved within a few weeks. I have to pay the highest fee they have in their co-payment structure (my state has copays based on income levels) so I understand your concern about the fees. But it is well worth it! They provide great people to deliver the services, project manage the whole program, and do it all in your own home.

 

I'll try to keep this short. I agree with everyone else that it's never too early and that their services are great. That being said, I've seen how much it can cost for some people. When they first quoted us, it was going to be over $300 a month. Luckily my husband's insurance covered it. If yours is not covered, then I say it's not worth it. My therapist was fantastic, but she never really did anything that I coulden't do myself. Do some research, look at your library, or amazon and get some books. I found some great ones for my sons speech delay and now he is actually ahead of his age group. One of EI's main goals is to teach the parents how to teach the kids, because you see them all day, they only see them for a few hours a month so you can do it. Honestly, if I had had to pay for the therapy out of pocket, I don't think I would have kept it up. Once I learned from the the therapist what to do, it was the same thing everytime.

 

Any chance you could call and get a different evaluator? Doesn't sound like you have any confidence in the one you got, and if you are paying out of pocket, I would ask for someone else!

 

In NYC services are free. PM me for more info.

 

As a therapist myself (OT) I believe the sooner you can catch an issue the sooner you can accommodate for your childs needs. I work with ages 3+ after EI is discharged from the home setting and kids get svcs in the school setting.

Early Intervention is birth to 3 yrs. Your insurance should cover it, not sure about your state r/r.

As a Mom, I know if someone doesn't mix well with my child I would do my best to request someone that does, I'm sure they have more than one therapist in the office.

I would take their services even if you think your kids are okay, as they are the professionals and the sooner the better.

We all love our kids unconditionally but sometimes we might miss things that a professional might catch and you don't want to miss the opportunity if you can get svcs now.

We had EI come to our house too and I didn't care for the people who came, they seemed lazy and boring, (and their toys were boring) fortunately they did not need to come back.

 

It's never too early for them to be evaluated. What's the harm in it? It would be better for them to receive help and not need it then not receive help when they could benefit from it right? The earlier you catch a problem the less catch up they have to do.

I believe better safe than sorry, esp. with our kids. Plus, EI is free.