NICU Follow up. Need some encouragement :(

crystaleyes39

My girls who were born at 32 weeks, just had their 2nd NICU follow up at almost 8 months old with the PT/OT. I personally felt like they made huge improvements since their last visit at 6 months but today they said that my girls tested in the 10th percentile and need weekly OT/PT sessions. My girls dont put much weight yet on their feet but they otherwise to me seemed to be doing well. It frustrates me because the person literally spend 5 seconds with each kid and they were crying fussy because it was nap time so of course they weren't going to do as good as they should have.

Anyone else experiance this with their LO's? Did OT/PT help with this? I want them to of course improve but i definitely think the score they got was a little low because of how tired and crabby they were.

kck329

I'm sorry...fussy babies never evaluate well. What exactly did the clinic say they needed PT/OT for?

My DD had OT for a year and is currently in ST and we have had good experiences with all of it. I believe her OT worked wonders in helping her catch up and her ST is really doing good things now too.

I know its hard to hear you need more therapies, I cried when I learned my DD was 6 months behind in language but she is slowly catching up and the therapies are helping. If the OT/PT does their eval and doesn't think the girls need weekly services then you don't have to worry but at least get them checked.

Irene6

I wish I had some personal experience to offer. But in talking with friends I believe they have said that you can request a re-eval with a different person. That might make a difference. Good luck

adrielegorburu

We were in PT/OT until recently when she was discharged. It has been so helpful for us.  Look at this as a good thing... I learned so much about her development and what was appropriate etc. and I never worried as mush as my FT freinds did about reaching milestones. I learned so many great ways to "play" with her that helped her catch up to her friends at daycare and she really learned to enjoy her sessions. I was sad when the therapists said they really couldnt say she needed it anymore.  give it a few sessions and if they really dont need it the PT/OT will tell you and the insurance company and they will discontinue.

2Momtoo

Lol I think I just answered on your oother post too!  We actually have our 12 month follow up to day.  Our follow ups go every 6 months, are your more frequent?  Anyway when we went to the first one DD was a total pill and not that into new people so she did not "perform" as well as I thought she would.  However DS who is usually behind her in milestones, was in a great mood (and loves to flirt)!  So he scored very well. 

This might not be a widely accepted opinion, but if your mother gut instinct tells you something isn't quite right and you regular pediatrician shows concern then I would ask for an eval.  I personally would not do anything based off of a 20 min visit with a doc that doesn't see your kids very often.  But that 's just me!

katie4253

crystaleyes39:

Anyone else experiance this with their LO's? Did OT/PT help with this? I want them to of course improve but i definitely think the score they got was a little low because of how tired and crabby they were.

My LO has been getting PT since 9 months actual (7adj).  We really should have started sooner.  I know you feel like they might not have gotten a good look, but it sounds like they could benefit from it. 

PT is a great thing.  I know it is hard to swallow at first, but it's going to help them a lot.