Developmental appt - significant delays - anyone relate?

TheShellSeeker

I just got back from a developmental assessment of DS.  I suspected he was behind in his skills but am really sad at this.  He's significantly behind in gross motor and slightly behind in fine motor.  Plus, we need to see a therapist because of feeding.  (He has developed a huge gag reflex that has kept me from being able to get him to eat solids so he's almost 9 months now and still only bottle feeding). 

I feel really defeated.  We have spent so much time and energy dealing with reflux, feeding problems, and growth problems over the last 4 months and it appears that everything else has gone to pot. 

So now we're going to have to do therapy out the wazoo.  Can anyone else tell me what to expect?  I have no idea what we're in for.  From what I gather we could be seeing as many as 3 therapists or less if they specialize in more than one thing (PT, OT, and feeding).

Why does it have to be so hard?!

 

mhop

Campbell gets PT weekly and OT 2x/month.  It's frustrating to watch other babies her adjusted and real ages whiz past her on gross motor skills.  However, we have seen huge growth since starting therapy.  Her fine motor is almost to her adjusted age and her gross motor is coming along.  We're also waiting on a speech eval. Therapy and early intervention are the best things you can do for your DS and they are the best predictors for future success.  It's so worth having all of the appointments and commitments every week. 

I'm sorry you guys have to go through this.  It's tough to hear that your baby is delayed in any way, but remember that you are doing every thing possible.  ((hugs))

TriciaJoy

Who is going to be doing the therapy? Private therapy or EI?

 

Robbie has been getting OT 1x/week since he was about 5mo actual, and is started PT 1x/week tomorrow.

He's months behind in gross motor. He is 8 1/2 months adj and some areas, he was evaluated at 2-3 months. He's come a little further since the evaluation (finally started rolling and sitting) but he's still way behind.

It's hard to see in black and white. The thing is that therapy really does help. he WILL get there.

As for what to expect, it's mostly play therapy. Robbie doesn't mind it. He'll grunt a bit when she makes me work hard, but he doesn't cry or anything. Some babies get a little crankier about it, but overall, it shouldn't be torture. It's just baby exercises.

As for why it has to be hard.. I wish I knew. it seems like our little guys have already been throguh so much, they should get a pass, but life sure isn't fair.

 

lstaylor73

We have been dealing with this since we got them home from the NICU.  We see OT and PT once a week, and are trying to add additional OT and Speech for feeding.  And I'm searching for a chiropractor who will probably see the boys once or twice a week.  Really this leaves no time for any play or socializing with other babies.  And at 13mos we are still waaaay behind.

beefsbride

Hi Vera!  I'm so sorry the appointment did not go well.  I know we just "chatted" about this not too long ago.  The real challenge (or heartache) for me is to watch my DD pretty much move along right on track (she is a bit behind in speech, but otherwise doing great), while my DS is really struggling.  We were finally able to get Bennett in PT weekly, starting next week (we originally started this whole process in Feb!) -- at first they only had a spot for him every-other week.  He's been to 2 sessions so far and has screamed through both, but we have already seen some progress.   Everything has a long waitlist -- including Help Me Grow -- and unless you can afford or plan to go the private route I'd highly encourage you to start contacting Children's and get the ball rolling.  I feel like we're ever farther behind because of all of the "waiting" we've had to do for a spot to open up for B-man.

I will keep you guys in my thoughts.  I know it sucks, but I just have to keep reminding myself to be patient.  {{HUGS}}