Posted on 10/24/2002 6:56:31 PM PDT by Conservababe
A friend of mine had two children and never noticed a problem with her younger child because the family was always very busy and she just assumd her little boy would naturally be different from his older sister. He was very bright and busy, but had trouble with hand/eye coordination and was sometimes clumsy. A kind and observant friend noticed he was somewhat delayed in his coordination and suggested an early intervention program where a therapist came to the house a few times per week to do exercises with him, all in the guise of play.
My friend was indignant at first. She said there was nothing wrong with her little boy! But after consulting with her pediatrician, she agreed to try the program. Within a few weeks, the improvement in his abilities was obvious and she was happily telling other mothers about the program. As I understood it, there was no charge for the service, as it was a government sponsored intervention for children under 3.
I had a similar thing happen to me when my child was less than two years old. A kind mother pointed out something to me about my child's coordination. I was angry! How dare she! But when I consulted with my pediatrician, he agreed there was something we could and should do to change the situation. Everything worked out great, but I never would have noticed the problem on my own. The woman was a stranger, so I never even got to thank her.
I noticed that many other states have similar referral networks in place. Texas has one. Oklahoma has one. Many states have great programs to help kids stay on track developmentally and this does not mean there is anything "wrong" with a child...just that there may be developmental areas that certain techniques have been proven to help.
So, before your daughter angrily says "not my kid!" it wouldn't hurt for her to ask WHAT specific behavior patterns raised questions for the screening person and she can then take those questions to her pediatrician. Sometimes people are being intrusive...but sometimes they see something we don't and are truly trying to help.
Here is a link you might be interested in. Early Diagnosis
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 12 percent to 16 percent of all children in the United States have developmental or behavioral disorders - including problems in the areas of fine or gross motor skills; cognitive development and problem solving; and, most commonly, speech delays.
Early detection is key. As the primary care providers for children, pediatricians are a gateway to early intervention programs and education services that could greatly improve a child's life.
Screening tools for developmental delays include age-appropriate checklists to record a child's developmental milestones at each checkup. Developmental milestones provide a systematic approach to observe the progress of the young child over time.
Role of the Pediatrician in Family-Centered Early Intervention Services
Not all "programs" are bad. Not all children need "intervention". But those who do, like my friend's son, can really blossom if their particular difficulty is caught and treated early. There is no reason not to discuss whatever concerns you might have with the child's pediatrician. And you DID ask for opinions. That's just mine. God bless. You sound mighty proud of the little guy! :)
In the 4th and 5th grades they said she was hyperactive and wanted her on ritelin!! Thankfully her doctor refused to do it! The teachers want zombies, so they don't have to deal with things.
Yep, everybody has one. My husband says I have more than normal. ;)
By the way, the word used on the Child Care Resource and Referral/Workshop on Wheels homepage is INCLUSION, which is just a fancy word meaning "include" or "to include". Have a great day fighting your grandson for the computer!
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