First Priority: EARLY INTERVENTION
Studies and real life parenting has proven that an early diagnosis and treatment gives children a head start at becoming successful adults.
"A treatment method or an educational method that will work for one child may not work for another child. The one common denominator for all of the young children is that early intervention does work, and it seems to improve the prognosis." -Temple Grandin
Where Do I Start?
The first step in the right direction for me was, quite literally, comparison.
There are certain milestones that pediatricians use to compare the "normal" development of children at certain ages.
By 15 months, I knew that something wasn't right.
I read the list about a thousand times.
I let the reality sink in a little more each time.
I would be ready and firm-footed when the official diagnosis came. No surprises for this momma!
I dropped hints to my husband periodically about my concerns.
I was watching videos and reading articles every night while I carried the burden of knowledge becoming power.
It was time.
Many son's 2 year check up had arrived and my husband and I both knew that this was it. This was point A. We had no idea where or what point B would look like or if there would ever be an end, but we were ready.
The pediatrician quickly caught on to our son's delay of speech and cognitive development. She went into a series of questions to better pinpoint our concerns.
She wasted no time in getting us help.
As she discussed speech therapy, occupational therapy, and a hearing evaluation, I realized our family dynamic had just been turned upside down.
At one point I felt tear welling on the insides of my eyeballs that probably looked like saucers at some point as I tried processing all of the information coming my way.
I fought them back.
I knew if I broke right then, from the get go, I would carry this news begrudgingly. I had to be strong. I knew God had a huge plan not only for Miles, but for our entire family.
I was ready to watch it unfold.
There are certain milestones that pediatricians use to compare the "normal" development of children at certain ages.
By 15 months, I knew that something wasn't right.
I read the list about a thousand times.
I let the reality sink in a little more each time.
I would be ready and firm-footed when the official diagnosis came. No surprises for this momma!
I dropped hints to my husband periodically about my concerns.
I was watching videos and reading articles every night while I carried the burden of knowledge becoming power.
It was time.
Many son's 2 year check up had arrived and my husband and I both knew that this was it. This was point A. We had no idea where or what point B would look like or if there would ever be an end, but we were ready.
The pediatrician quickly caught on to our son's delay of speech and cognitive development. She went into a series of questions to better pinpoint our concerns.
She wasted no time in getting us help.
As she discussed speech therapy, occupational therapy, and a hearing evaluation, I realized our family dynamic had just been turned upside down.
At one point I felt tear welling on the insides of my eyeballs that probably looked like saucers at some point as I tried processing all of the information coming my way.
I fought them back.
I knew if I broke right then, from the get go, I would carry this news begrudgingly. I had to be strong. I knew God had a huge plan not only for Miles, but for our entire family.
I was ready to watch it unfold.
The Next Step
One of the reasons that early intervention is praised is because there are state funded programs that are available to help your child get started on the right foot.
The state of Tennessee has a program called Tennessee Early Intervention System or 'TEIS'.
Our pediatrician referred us and they quickly set up our first in-home evaluation.
The state of Tennessee has a program called Tennessee Early Intervention System or 'TEIS'.
Our pediatrician referred us and they quickly set up our first in-home evaluation.
