Early Intervention Services

Has anyone had to use early intervention services for a physical developmental delays?  My 7.5 month old daughter is not turning over or sitting unassisted so day care recommended contacting EI.  I've called them and they will send a case worker to evaluate DD but just wondering if physical therapy has helped other children sit/stand while holding on to something/crawl?  I've a doctor's appointment on Tuesday to see their perspective but getting myself worked up looking online at what low muscle tone (which day care suggested) could potentially indicate.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Cheyenne_08]

My son has been part of Early Intervention since he was 3 months old. He was 9 weeks early so a lot of his delays are prematurity related. But, they have made an AMAZING difference in Ashtyn. They do a great job, at least in Michigan! What start are you from? When we started, Ashtyn would never turn his head to the left side EVER....within two months, he was moving his head all over. The therapists are amazing and it has been a great experience for my family. Early intervention is great, so don't get discouraged if your daughter qualifies for services, it should definatly help!

[daisygirl1]

Thanks for your experience.  Congrats on how Ashtyn is doing in the last week or so (sorry, I usually follow along but don't post so much)...

[Cheyenne_08]

THats okay, our story has been a long one so I know of quite a few people who follow along but don't post lol! Ashtyn just started seeing a private physical therapist and will being PT through early on in a few weeks so I am not sure how well PT is, but OT and Developemental therapy is great! For us, it is very time consuming and prevents me from working full time, but it is worth it to see Ashtyn grow and develop!

[momoftwins30807]

EI sees my daughter only twice a month, and she has made only a little progress, but I'm sure its different in every state.  I just don't feel like they come out enough and they really don't do anything when they come.  Everything my dtr. does is from me and my family working with her.

[Me2mommy2b]

momoftwins- I'm sorry that you're having such a bad experience with EI.  I agree that Twice a month is not enough to see results.  What do you mean, they don't do anything when they come?  You should ask them what their goals are and how they're planning on achieving those goals.  You're in Alabama so I'm not sure how that works in your state but in NY they're pretty strict when it comes to EI services.  

Daisy- I'm glad that you're getting services for your little one.  I've seen great results from PT, OT and other services offered through EI.  I'm a speech-language pathologist and work in EI in NYC so I'm speaking from experience.  I know that laws for EI vary from state to state so I'm not sure what the requirements in your state might be as far as the frequency and duration is concerned.  What state are you in?

[Cheyenne_08]

EI in my state is VERY strict! I am in Michigan. Ashtyn is seen once a week by occupational therapy, twice a week for developmental therapy, and twice a week for physical therapy! Its very time consuming but putting that much time in has really shown lots of improvement in ashtyn!

[hope2bamom31]

I am an intervention specialist in Ohio.  I've course I'm going to say I think EI is a good idea!  Definitely take advantage of the services being offered.  Even if they only work with your child once or twice a month you can learn from them what you can do on a daily basis.  They can monitor your child's progress to suggest further therapies or let you know when intervention is no longer necessary.  Good luck to you!   I know it's a scary thing, but there are a lot of people out there ready to help.

[Logan206]

We've had EI since our preemie b/g twins (2 mo early) were born last summer.  They have benefited tremendously.  Initially, the visits were just twice a month, but we went to once a week when my son started showing more significant delays.  He is hypotonic (low muscle tone) and was barely holding his head at 5-6 months.  Now, at 10 months, both babies are crawling and pulling to a stand!  The therapists gave us lots of guidance on how to encourage development from tummy time to sitting to crawling and now we are working on cruising.   My son still has the low tone, but the therapy has held him compensate for it and he's able to do most things a typical 9-10 month old can do now.

I definitely recommend getting the service if you can.  Since they usually come to your home, I find that they are able to focus on your child more attentively than any other professionals that are limited by time/space in a doctors office.  Good luck.  Keep us posted on how things go!

[yguess]

my son has mosaic down syndrome , and i hav had all resources to use intervention, but just never got around to doing it, Happy to say my son is ver aware  even though he still has the disability , the only delays are walking , and talking, as what a 17 month old would be doing now...

love my baby.. take a look !!

definately use all resources to your maximum, it's there and if we don't use them one day we are going to wish they still kept them / or had them....

[daisygirl1]

Thanks all for the perspective!  I'm in NY and not sure what to expect in terms of visitation frequency but we'll see after the evaluation.