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Weird a$$ dev. questions from EI case manager (random vent)
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So I get our monthly call from our EI case manager. She usually asks some developmental questions. I am expecting questions like has he smiled or giggled, how is he eating...yada yada. He's is what I got:
Question 1. When you put a towel over his face does he pull it off with his hands????
Answer: Gee, never thought to put a towel on his face! So I tried it after getting off the phone with her and the answer is no, he doesn't. He shakes his head like a little puppy and shouts. So, now we are working on it I guess....
Question 2. When you stand in front of a mirror does he talk to his reflection???
Answer: Hmm, didn't know I was supposed to be doing that either. We now stand in front of mirrors ALOT. He just stares. Whatever.
I just need to add random developmental crap like this to our already packed schedule of what I need to do each day therapy-wise? Floorwork, thumb splints, tummytime, hearing aids and eye patches are not enough I guess.....Geez!
WAY 2 Cool 4 School 
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Re: Weird a$$ dev. questions from EI case manager (random vent)
I had one of my girls tested for ET PT the other day (my other one has been in PT for several months). The evaluators could care less about her walking...they were so hung up on the fact that she doesnt use a fork and couldnt put a peg in a hole (she could build a tower of blocks but that didnt seem to matter). Crazy!
Both of those are indicators of cognitive development. My therapist asked both of those questions. The towel she started to pull off about 4-5 months after the normal stage and she still doesn't really touch her reflection. It is typical at some point for a baby to notice it's reflection and think it's another baby and try to touch it. My daughter doesn't do that yet - she usually looks more at me in the mirror.
I know it feels like a lot of random questions - just wanted you to know they aren't that random.
These are excellent questions and like PPs said test for cognition and self awareness. It is great that your case manager is asking these!
Honestly, for the first year of DS's life I used a non-medical book like What to expect the first year ( by Heidi Murkoff); it lists most of the typical developmental milestones, so you know what to try with DS. Both peekaboo game (towel over face) and mirror game are there.
Some kids will get it right away, and some may need a bit of prodding. Good luck!!!!!
**sigh**
Yeah, I know the questions had a point. They just made me feel like crap because I hadn't been working on those particular skills. We do play peek-a-boo, but he doesn't get it yet. I have plenty of development and play books I just don't have/make the time to use them like I should.
Your son is so little you have loads of time to work with him on this stuff and at 4 months, he's not behind if he can't do it. I've beat myself up plenty over my daughter's development because I don't always have time to work with her on everything every day. But the truth is that I can only do what I can do - and eventually she will learn whatever she is capable of learning. Don't feel like crap - you are doing a lot to help him!!
Don't feel bad, but do remember this. Typcially developing babies don't have to "practice" these skills. They just naturally do them. Our babies will do somethings without practice, but others they don't get right away. The reason they ask is to get a gauge on where your child is on the "typical" path of development. Another thing about the towel--my PT told me that babies will naturally try to remove something covering their face. If he/she does not remove it by a certain age, it also tells them about potential motor planning issues.
The point is, don't look at these questions like a quiz, but rather an inquiry. They are trying to figure out how your son is developing. You are a good mom and your son will progress...just at his own pace.