First EI evaluation, what should I expect?

[AmyP]

A lot of you probably read my thread about Sarah's delay in gross motor skills (and maybe fine, but I think those are okay). I called EI and should hear within the next two weeks as to when Sarah's evaluation will be. I'm having her evaluated for language as well, although I doubt there's much of a delay there if anything. She has to be 25% delayed to qualify for services from the county.

I'm just wondering what kinds of things they do and what to expect.

[Cami]

I'm not sure how much it varies from state to state. We did EI for Aubrey's speech. The first person who came to my house did a several page interview about our routine, her habits, trouble spots, and my goals for therapy. They supposedly used that record the baseline behavior, to develop a treatment plan, and pick a therapist. She also described all the paperwork and I filled out a bunch of forms. Based on what I told this person, Aubrey was "below level" and qualified for an evaluation.

Then an assessor (don't know the "official" name) came to our house the next week to do an evaluation of Aubrey's level to determine whether she qualified for therapy and how much. She brought a bag of toys and we sat in the living room. She let Aubrey get into the bag and slowly started interacting with her. There were several things she checked for, which she told me about, but that I wouldn't have been able to tell otherwise. She didn't make anything feel like a test or pressure Aubrey at all.

After 45 minutes or so, she showed me the scales they use and where Aubrey fell on all the measures. She said she didn't think she'd qualify for therapy because she wasn't far enough behind. We talked about things I could do to help Aubrey. So Aubrey didn't end up going through the program for therapy (although I'm thinking she should have).

Good luck with Sarah!

[Brandi]

I'd say what Cami said. The things I could add were that even if she doesn't qualify for therapy, you can keep her in the system by having her re-evaluated every 4 months I think. That way, someone is seeing her and making sure she stays on track. Also, they will give you ideas on what you can do to help her in the areas that you are concerned about. But, you might have to ask. Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

[Karri]

What Cami & Brandi said. But the re-evaluation timeline is more along the timelines of how delayed she was. If it wasnt much at all, then it'll be longer...like maybe 6 months. Because otherwise when they come out, there still wont be a delay enough to qualify, KWIM?

[Cami]

They said that too, that I could have her reevaluated if I felt it necessary.

Also wanted to add that although I was only concerned with Aubrey's speech, the person who did the evaluation measured her in other areas and showed me where she fell on the charts in all those areas (like cognitive, gross motor, fine motor, etc).

[Jillian]

we didn't have a physical evaluation...they saw that he could run on the way to the room for his verbal evaluation and said that lone would make it so he can't get services...also here you have to have a 60% delay in one area of 40% in 2...and at least according to a lot of people on bolu that isn't uncommon. :fado:

For his verbal evaluation (18 months old) they had him point at things in a picture book, like a ball, a bunny, etc. They repeated one word (up, down, hi, bye...) 30 times (that was the most they'd do) trying to get him to repeat it. They had him stack blocks and say up everytime they put a block on the tower, they checked his hearing... They watched him play. He was 40% delayed in espressive and like 15% in receptive I think? I would have to look it up to know for sure.

We are moving back into Ann Arbor (a different county that only asks for a 20% delay) next month and will be getting him re-evaluated, though I think with the leaps and bounds he's made recently he won't even be 20% behind anymore. :ura1:

[Amy]

Amy, when Emily was evaluated for her gross motor delay, they did a lot of what everyone else has mentioned. There were two therapists here, one for occupational and one for physical, and they asked DH & I questions about her abilities and normal routines, then pulled out blocks and stuff for her to play. At the time, she wasn't able to stack blocks, but it was because we didn't have any, so she'd never been exposed to it before, but they still counted that as delayed. :rolleyes: Once we got her blocks, she was stacking them all the time. They also had her make marks on paper with crayons, and watched her crawl and roll on the floor. She had me hold Emily's hands, and noticed that she didn't like supporting her weight on her legs at all, but once in a while would pull to a stand at the table.

Stinker took off walking within days of being told we qualified for therapy because she was 22% delayed. :hug99: Hope you guys get the answers you're looking for!!

[AmyP]

Well, the evaluation was rough. Sarah was afraid of the nurse and PT who did the evaluation (I guess she thought they were coming over to babysit and she's also at the age of major stranger anxiety). She also was off her usual nap routines, and was sleepy during the evaluation. Ugh.

Anyway, she definitely has a 25% delay in gross motor skills (no surprise there), so she'll be getting PT. She's also delayed in cognitive skills, although not as much. We'll be getting a teacher to work with her on that type of thing as well as some of the social skills, like waving and clapping, and we may have an OT come out to work on self-feeding if the teacher deems that necessary.

I was pretty upset and blamed myself when we got the initial evaluation, but I'm okay with things now. I'm working more with her on the waving and clapping and such, and doing what I can with walking and crawling and standing.

I should know within the next week when someone will be establishing our IFSP, and the therapists will do everything at our house. Big relief for us.

I'll keep everyone updated on her progress.

[Dennis]

Amy, I know it's hard to hear that our kids have problems like this. We went through it with Joe. He had PT for his gross motor skills, speech therapy and OT for his fine motor skills. But he's fully caught up now. The important thing is you are catching it now and the earlier you start with treatment, the faster she'll catch up.

Dennis

[Cami]

Amy, I felt responsible and guilty when Aubrey was evaluated too. I think it's natural. I hope it goes well when they start working with her!

[Amy]

Totally agree with Cami!!

I cried for hours after E's eval.

yikes! tornado sirens....

[Amy]

OK, it was just storm sirens, so no need to wake the kids and head to the basement.

Anyway, it's totally normal to think "what did I do wrong?" when our kiddoes are delayed in any area. :hug99: I'm glad you are feeling better about it now, and I know Dennis and Dawn have been through the PT/OT route with their kids.

Hopefully they'll be in contact with you very shortly to get the plan in motion!

[AmyP]

Just wanted to mention they're setting up her IFSP on 3/8.

She's showing some improvement lately. She's trying to get to her toys when they are out of her reach. Unsuccessfully so far, but at least the effort is there. She looked like she was trying to pull up yesterday too. She's also started turning the pages board books on command. She really loves doing that.

I am thinking of insisting on an OT. I think the main reason she doesn't self-feed is because she gags on finger foods to the point of vomiting. My mom's friend who is a special ed teacher says that an OT can teach her how to swallow harder foods. :dunno: I'll see what the people say when they come over. I know we're getting the same PT, and I forget who the other person is and what she does.

[stass]

Good luck! It gets easier. :hug99: great to be starting so early with her!:up:

[Dawn]

and I know Dennis and Dawn have been through the PT/OT route with their kids.
Yes, and you know you can ask me anything Amy. :hug99:

Alexia also had a hard time with eating certain textured foods. She didn't/couldn't eat cheerio until she was about 14 mos! She gagged alot...even on the stage 3's! It was rough. It can all be sensory related. Did an OT come and evaluate her as well, besides the PT?

We'll be having little Angelina evaluated soon.....I'm sure you read it in the SAHM journal. So I'm right there w/ ya girl. :hug99: Like everyone mentioned, it's wonderful that it was caught early and she's getting the help she needs earlier, than later. The earlier they can get the help, the better. :)

[AmyP]

An OT didn't evaluate her, but one is coming to establish the IFSP. I looked at the paper they sent in the mail to confirm the appointment and it's a PT and an OT coming.

We have a little more progress here lately. Yesterday she was playing on our bed and she rolled to her tummy, pushed up on her hands and knees and rocked. She's trying to clap now too. Lately she winds up slapping her belly instead of getting her hands together, but it's definitely progress.