We went to the meeting to go over Elizabeth's testing results. We all ready knew that she had some fine and gross motor delays. They also think she has some speech processing difficulties. They are not giving it a "name" at the moment but do want her to have speech therapy. She understands and can communicate but has difficulty articulating in situations where she has to answer open ended questions and retelling things in sequential order. It also is more pronounced in group settings, which is compounded by the fact that she is now apparently having social anxiety.
So, in two weeks we will have the written report. In the meantime we have to decide if we want to take E to speech, occupational therapy and physical therapy ourselves or have the school system do it. I think we will be doing quite a bit of discussing this weekend. At the moment I think that we should let the school do it. She goes to two different preschools as it is, one of which is every afternoon. I think running around to do therapy on top of it all is too much. If we take her to therapy ourselves I will want to quit the afternoon preschool. I just think E needs sometime to socialize and be a kid (which she also needs to address the social anxiety).
I know that by doing something now, chances are she will be more than ready to start kindergarten without any problems. It's funny, because I have sat on the other side of the table so many times, and I KNOW it's not because I am a bad mom. Yet here I sit still doubting myself. I have always felt compassion for parents and kids I worked with, but now I find myself feeling it even more. Sorry for all the I am still trying to rap my head around it all.
wow, that is a lot to wrap your head around, but i'm really glad this stuff was brought to the surface and now you can take steps to get her the help she needs. fortunately, it all sounds like stuff that can be worked through and in time, you should be seeing great improvements. good for you guys for being on top of it.
wow, that is a lot to wrap your head around, but i'm really glad this stuff was brought to the surface and now you can take steps to get her the help she needs. fortunately, it all sounds like stuff that can be worked through and in time, you should be seeing great improvements. good for you guys for being on top of it.
you had the initial eval bc of the motor delays?
Actually we were not sure about anything when we started looking into it last spring. There were some things that just weren't adding up to me. She seemed to be having trouble retelling stories, riding a bike/trike, not writing and a few other things that by themselves really are nothing to be alarmed about. Her difficulties are not severe enough to be really obvious, but once she was around the preschool teachers last year they began to notice it too (but not until the end of the year). I guess we are fortunate that we started probing into it. I think she is one of those kids that does need the help, but could easily slip through the cracks.
wow, that is a lot to wrap your head around, but i'm really glad this stuff was brought to the surface and now you can take steps to get her the help she needs. fortunately, it all sounds like stuff that can be worked through and in time, you should be seeing great improvements. good for you guys for being on top of it.
you had the initial eval bc of the motor delays?
Actually we were not sure about anything when we started looking into it last spring. There were some things that just weren't adding up to me. She seemed to be having trouble retelling stories, riding a bike/trike, not writing and a few other things that by themselves really are nothing to be alarmed about. Her difficulties are not severe enough to be really obvious, but once she was around the preschool teachers last year they began to notice it too (but not until the end of the year). I guess we are fortunate that we started probing into it. I think she is one of those kids that does need the help, but could easily slip through the cracks.
i'm just wondering (from an academic perspective more than anything else) how they determine social anxiety? did they see her in a peer context? or was it based on how she was with the adults at the time of testing? or teacher/parent report?
wow, that is a lot to wrap your head around, but i'm really glad this stuff was brought to the surface and now you can take steps to get her the help she needs. fortunately, it all sounds like stuff that can be worked through and in time, you should be seeing great improvements. good for you guys for being on top of it.
you had the initial eval bc of the motor delays?
Actually we were not sure about anything when we started looking into it last spring. There were some things that just weren't adding up to me. She seemed to be having trouble retelling stories, riding a bike/trike, not writing and a few other things that by themselves really are nothing to be alarmed about. Her difficulties are not severe enough to be really obvious, but once she was around the preschool teachers last year they began to notice it too (but not until the end of the year). I guess we are fortunate that we started probing into it. I think she is one of those kids that does need the help, but could easily slip through the cracks.
i'm just wondering (from an academic perspective more than anything else) how they determine social anxiety? did they see her in a peer context? or was it based on how she was with the adults at the time of testing? or teacher/parent report?
I was based on how she was with the adults at the time and teacher/parent reports. E really does not do well with a large group of kids. She is more of a one on one kind of gal. Although we also have noted that when she is on her own turf (ie her birthday party) and there are lots of kids she has a blast and plays with all of them. When she is somewhere new or away from home (even in familiar territory) she is much more cool around others. They did say that she is shy too.
libby, first of all, elizabeth is SO LUCKY to have such an amazing mom - think of how many moms out there aren't tuned in enough to seek out the advice of professionals when things aren't adding up. thanks to your proactive mothering, she is going to have every opportunity to improve on her areas of weakness so that by the time she's "school-aged" most likely no one will ever know she went through this.
secondly, itttttu how you can constantly analyze and reanalyze every choice you have made as a mother. it has been an overwhelming experience for me to go through EI with emily, but i know that it has been an amazing opportunity for her and i've seen her grow leaps and bounds.
i know this is going to be such a great thing for both of you. please keep us posted about how it goes.
-- Edited by apies on Thursday 3rd of September 2009 07:49:52 PM
Libby it must be such a relief to have some actual answers. You are a wonderful mother to her and should never doubt yourself. :hug
Keep us posted on what you decide as far as her therapy. It sounds like you are right about that should could have slipped through the cracks which clearly shows what a wonderful dedicated mother you are.
Libby-you are a rock star of a mom. Seriously-it is so wonderful that you were able to tune in and notice these things, and be proactive about everything. I think self doubt comes with the territory of being mom, but it is completely without merit here.
I am sorry you have to go through this, but so glad E is getting the services she needs. Please keep us up to date as she progresses.
Libby, I hope in your heart, you truly know how wonderful a mother you are!
That is a lot to absorb, but I'm glad you have your answers and can now decide on your plan of action.
I think I agree that going through the school is the best idea. Her schedule is so hectic already, and she will also just see it as part of school instead of classes she needs because something is wrong, if that makes sense(they make be to young still at this point to realize, but who knows).
As the others have said, you ARE a wonderful mother. That's why you noticed she needed a boost, so to speak, and brought her in to check things out. I do understand doubting yourself but those of us on the outside see there is no need to doubt.
Elizabeth is lucky to have you & I just know she will "catch up" in no time.
MS women are the best! Thank you so much. Robert and I started talking a little last night and I think we are coming to some agreement. We go for the OT evaluation today. I will let you know how things go.
I am still trying to rap my head around it all.
