My youngest son has Down Syndrome and he has gotten Early Intervention sevices since he was about 1 year old. I didn't sign him up right away as an infant because I was comfortable dealing with his needs alone. When it came time for him to eat solid foods, he was having difficulties chewing his food and I needed some support and assistance at that time. His pediatrician recommended calling EI so my husband and I discussed it, coming to the conclusion that it was a good idea. We met with the women and set up a plan of goals together to meet our little ones needs. I felt this program respected us as a family unit and that is very important to us especially because we homeschool. After 2 years of services from an occupational therapist, physical therapist, and a developmental therapist I can say that the input from them was very supportive. We worked together as a team to give our special boy what he needed.
( our boy with his occupational therapist)
After two years this part of our life's journey has come to an end. EI sevices end when a child becomes three years of age and then there are other options for a family to choose from:
- a public preschool/full services
- apublic preschool/ discreet services
- private services
- medical based services ex. physical therapy @ a local hospital
- homeschool ( parent makes plans and goals for child doing research and using various resources and methods)
We had wonderful EI workers and we wanted to show them our appreciation. Whenever someone gives of themselves whether a job or volunteer work, I feel a sense of gratitude. I also love to meet other people. Service is a reflection of the glory of God. We wanted to honor our workers and let them know we appreciated them. We decided to have a luncheon/going away party for them.
We had a very simple menu and the girls helped to prepare the food:
- ham /turkey platter
- rolls
- cold macoroni salad
- veggies for dipping
- fruit salad
It was a lovely early spring event with lovely people.
The ladies from EI made birthday cupcakes for our lil' boy and gave him some wonderful "tools" for his 3 year old celebration!
One of them was the book, "Little Gorilla" it is about a baby gorilla getting bigger celebrating growth and his birthday, So appropriate for the age and occasion.
The other was a Melissa and Doug wooden birthday cake. Such thoughtful ideas! We are so blessed!
I am pleased with the past two years of services from EI. I was a bit apprehensive at first but because of the way the program works and respected our family it was very productive. I am going to homeschool our boy because that is what I have done with my other children and that is the calling that our family is following. I have some wonderful friends that are willing to support us and give us input from their experiences. I will make up goals (IEP) for myself and when he turns 6 I will formally provide one for the schoolboard. I will most likely seek private speech therapy. There are some now that will take private insurance. Malcolm recieves many fringe benefits from having a large family that homeschools. He has constant stimulation and modeling from his parents and 5 other siblings still at home. This works to a child with DS advantage. I am looking forward to our spring and summer with the kids and it will be a new season for Malcolm. He will be able to get some great physical activity at our local park and natural outdoor play! It will be a new chance introduce him to new wonders of the world and new sign language for those things.
Although our EI workers are going away they will be with us in more ways than one. The things we have learned from them will always be with us as we move forward into a new season.
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