Today SG and I went for her evaluation with Early Intervention of Shelby County.  Owen had training, and we really wanted to get it over with, so we decided not to reschedule.

Early Intervention (EI) is a free program offered to anyone in the county to help your child “catch up” developmentally if need be. 

Every child can be evaluated to see if they meet the criteria to enter the program, but the child must lack at least 25% in one area of development.  Or have an extenuating circumstance…i.e. prematurity…to qualify.

Fortunately and unfortunately, SG does not qualify.  She is performing on a 5 month level in all but 2 areas, and those 2 areas (socialization & hand to hand transfer of toys) she is on an 8 month level. 

This is good news, because it means that developmentally she is right on target!  Which is awesome!  But semi bad news because we want her to get that extra “push” so that she doesn’t have to be held back a grade in school.

BUT!  Since she was born premature, they are going to let her in the program.  Here’s how it works…

Once a month, a therapist will come to our house and “play” with SG.  The therapist will then give us instructions on how we can “play” while they are not there, so that we can help her on a daily basis. 

For her, it’s just little things, like learning to roll over, reach for toys, etc.  But with this extra push from the therapist, she’ll get there faster than if we didn’t push her. 

So we’re excited for this opportunity.  It will be a good way to help me learn what she should me doing, so that I can help her.  And it’ll be a double bonus for Baby #2 (still not named), so that I’ll know the developmental milestones she’s supposed to hit and when, and I’ll know how to help her!

*Don’t forget to click on the link to the right to donate to our March of Dimes walk on April 24th!  Or better yet, sign up to come walk with us!!*