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XP: developmental specialist anyone?

togagirltogagirl
in Multiples

The boys have an appointment tomorrow because our NICU makes an appointment for all the preemies that spent time there.

I was just wondering what to expect.  

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Re: XP: developmental specialist anyone?

  • beefsbridebeefsbride

    We've had to take my two back for developmental assessments every three months.  They really just play . .. the specialist "tests" them on certain things -- the first appointment was really short because they couldn't really do much.  She checked their head control, how they did / pull up on tummy time and some other milestone things.  They were then given a "score" as to where they are developmentally corrected age vs. actual age.  Lastly, she gave us some exercises / activites we could do to make sure they were developing according to "schedule".

    For us the appointment lasted less than a hour (even this last time when they could do more).

    Good luck!

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  • lstaylor73lstaylor73

    It's the first visit which is an evaluation.  They want to see what your babies can do developmentally.  Be prepared for it to take a while and have bottles ready in case they are hungry or have a melt down.  They will want to see them eat too to make sure there are no problems there.  For us there were 3 people - an Occupational Therapist, a Physical Therapist, and a program coordinator.  They will sit on the floor with one baby at a time playing with them to see how they track objects, hold toys, kick, lay on their tummy, hold their head, mouth things, how you can calm them down if they get up set, how they react to other people, test their hearing, test their reflexes, etc.

    It took about 3 hours, but we had/have lots of issues.  Use the time to insist on getting assistance from them even if you don't really think you need it because they can show you things that will help them developmentally that you might not think of. 

    HTH!  Good luck.

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  • MickschickMickschick

    Are you going to Dr Malone in Latham? We went there for our appointment that the NICU also made us. It was a while ago but I still remember it. When we first got there I filled out a bunch of paperwork and then we were moved into this room and a nurse came in. We did one baby at a time. I held a baby on my lap and the nurse did a bunch of excercises with him to see what he could do. Then we did the same thing with the other baby. We moved to a crib mattress like area and then they did some other things with them and then they had the Dr (And he had 2 students with him) come in and then they gave us our assessment. They also mailed us one too. They told me my kids were where they were supposed to be for their adjusted age and in actuality they were above where they were supposed to be for their true age. So don't get upset if you get different results than what your normal pedi says. I was very cranky and depressed for a few days after the appt as well b/c I felt like my children and parenting were being judged.

    They will tell you to make another appt for when they are a year old- we cancelled that appt- :) Feel free to email/page me if you have any more questions. :)

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