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crestedlady
member
Introduction and a Few Questions
crestedlady
member
Hi, I've been lurking on this board for a bit, and thought that I would post a brief introduction about myself/us since we are just starting the early intervention process with our son.
My husband and I are first time parents, and our son, Cole, will be 17 months tomorrow. Cole is a fairly active, energetic, low key kind of kid - very much goes with the flow - and so far, he has hit his developmental milestones on target with the exception of those regarding communication. Currently, he has one "word" that he uses on a regular basis (mama, though it often becomes mama mama....), and another he uses if prompted (hi). He has recently started mimicking "uh-oh" as well, but is otherwise nonverbal aside from babbling. I am also not sure, but am pretty confident, that his ability to follow directions is delayed as well. At his 15 month appointment, his pediatrician suggested contacting the Alabama Early Intervention program for our area if he didn't show any real progress in 4-6 weeks, so that's what we did (very pleased that our pediatrician took a more proactive approach).
Earlier this week, we completed our evaluation for the program and learned that Cole would be eligible for services related to communication. I am so glad that they are able to accept him given that we were told it could be dicey at his age to qualify and even more so since we are expecting a second child in June (it will be good to have additional tools and undivided time to focus on helping Cole catch up before his little world is rocked by a new sibling).
Anyway, we find out how he scored in each of the five developmental areas next week when we get together with his service coordinator to develop his IFSP. As regards that, I have a couple of questions for those who have gone/are going through this process. Our service coordinator told us to think of goals that we would like to set for Cole - are these meant to be goals we would like him to meet in general, within a certain time frame, or both? Does anyone know of any boiler-plate IFSP plans that might be available as examples of what they should cover (I know the plans themselves are confidential, but if there is something available out there, I know I will go into the next meeting better prepared)? Also, while they did not mention him qualifying in other areas, if his scores show any delay in those areas, how should or should those be addressed in the IFSP? Finally, if there are any articles/books that anyone would care to suggest that may be beneficial in setting up reasonable goals for his age level and/or assisting him during this process, I would appreciate it.
edited: spelling
My husband and I are first time parents, and our son, Cole, will be 17 months tomorrow. Cole is a fairly active, energetic, low key kind of kid - very much goes with the flow - and so far, he has hit his developmental milestones on target with the exception of those regarding communication. Currently, he has one "word" that he uses on a regular basis (mama, though it often becomes mama mama....), and another he uses if prompted (hi). He has recently started mimicking "uh-oh" as well, but is otherwise nonverbal aside from babbling. I am also not sure, but am pretty confident, that his ability to follow directions is delayed as well. At his 15 month appointment, his pediatrician suggested contacting the Alabama Early Intervention program for our area if he didn't show any real progress in 4-6 weeks, so that's what we did (very pleased that our pediatrician took a more proactive approach).
Earlier this week, we completed our evaluation for the program and learned that Cole would be eligible for services related to communication. I am so glad that they are able to accept him given that we were told it could be dicey at his age to qualify and even more so since we are expecting a second child in June (it will be good to have additional tools and undivided time to focus on helping Cole catch up before his little world is rocked by a new sibling).
Anyway, we find out how he scored in each of the five developmental areas next week when we get together with his service coordinator to develop his IFSP. As regards that, I have a couple of questions for those who have gone/are going through this process. Our service coordinator told us to think of goals that we would like to set for Cole - are these meant to be goals we would like him to meet in general, within a certain time frame, or both? Does anyone know of any boiler-plate IFSP plans that might be available as examples of what they should cover (I know the plans themselves are confidential, but if there is something available out there, I know I will go into the next meeting better prepared)? Also, while they did not mention him qualifying in other areas, if his scores show any delay in those areas, how should or should those be addressed in the IFSP? Finally, if there are any articles/books that anyone would care to suggest that may be beneficial in setting up reasonable goals for his age level and/or assisting him during this process, I would appreciate it.
edited: spelling
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Introduction and a Few Questions
When I was asked about our family's goals it was more of a generic question. Mine started out as "I want him to be happy", then "I want him to be able to communicate his wants and needs", and now it is "I don't want people to underestimate him"
I wouldn't sweat this. Your therapist should help you figure out what goals are needed. They are mainly based on what step of development is next. i.e. Will point to objects, will name objects, will use two words, etc, etc. There are even smaller steps within those big ones that the therapist can help out with once she/he has had a chance to meet him. Good luck!