One day 7 therapists were in my house at one time. They wanted to do an evaluation to see where Mason was on his motor skills, fine motor skills, speech, and growth. To say the least I was a bag of nerves. Not so much worried how Mason would do but how 7 people were goin to give me feedback. I only had past experiences to go off of and well lets just say thats why I was freaking out!!!!!!!
The door bell rings and it looked like I was going to have a party. 7 Ladies single file line standing outside my door as each one walked in shook my hand, introduced themselves, and told me what their job was. I put Mason in the middle of the floor while all the therapist sat around him with their clip boards, and pens. The caregiver already informed me how the evaluation was going to work. They were going to test different things on Mason, and ask me a MILLION questions. At first they couldnt believe how cute and big he was. I thought that was funny because compared to other kids his age he was in the lower 15% but with kids who have downs he is in the 90% I found out.
It began...one of the therapist pulled out these little blocks and wanted him to grab them. He showed no interest. She asked me if he grabbed for things and I said sometimes but not a whole lot. I told her he loves this little piano rattle she asked me to get it. He reached out with both hands and grabbed it. Everyone clapped for him. And naturally when I find something that works I buy 2 of. So I got the second one out and he grabbed that one also. The same therapist laid him on his back, he flipped right over. She praised him. She stood him up and he could bare all weight on his own which was great. I told them he LOVES to stand and LOVES his bouncy horse. I continued to tell them how he has figured out how to rock himself and he knocks himself sound asleep every time. They wanted to see how he was in his horse. I put him in it and he instantly smiled and began to rock. They told me that is great for him in many ways. It has things for him to grab at, it makes sound when he moves it so it encourages Mason to keep moving, and it strengthens his muscles.
I got him back out and put him on the floor, he was laying on his back. A therapist grabbed his hands to see if he could pull himself up to sitting position and sure enough he did. He can sit by himself with the support of his hands and can sit alone for a short period of time. I got positive feed back left and right. I was loving it! I put him on his back, pushed his legs up to his bottom, flat on the floor and Mason raises his bottom up. Again with more praise and positive feedback.
The nurse asked me several questions, and did a short eye exam which she said he did great could follow her up to down, side to side, and could cross his eyes. She was a little worried with his hand eye coordination so she suggested to see an eye doctor for a follow up. (when he tries to grab for something he swings, and misses every time)
The speech therapist said he was pretty quiet, asked me if he laughed I said only when he is tickled. she asked me if he makes "ba ba ba ma ma da da" sounds and the answer I gave her was only when he was tired. Mike and I call that his night night song. She said he should be making alot of sounds at this point and she would like to see more sounds. I did tell her he does high pitch squeals and blows raspberries all the time. That was great news she informed me.
The occupational therapist was concerned with his fine motor skills. He doesn't grab things as often as he should, he has lack of interest in toys, he didn't turn when his name was called out, he doesn't feed himself and so on.
After a million questions, a hundred different tests the therapist came to the conclusion he was 30% delayed. After that number was thrown out to me they said he could be seen every other week its up to me. I told them weekly bc he hasn't started any therapy. The only things he knows are things I have worked with him. I'm not a therapist, not a doctor, just a mom who is shooting for the moon of endless possibilities.
I was told several times Mason was in good hands and he was doing great!! :) I know thats their jobs but I WILL TAKE IT!
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