Early Intervention

[Azreial]

Anyone have any experience with early intervention? We were refered to ei by the nicu for our twins. I know what they do with older children. I guess I'm confused what they would do for babies.
I made the appointment with them for this Friday but I'd like to have an idea of what I can expect before they come/

[alegna]

lurking for more info- my sil has twins who were born at 32 weeks. They're toddlers now, but I think they could benefit from EI.

-Angela

[RedOakMomma]

My twins started with our state's Early Intervention program when they were 4 months old. They were both behind on their gross motor skills. I can't say enough about the experience, the therapists, the program, or the women that came to our house for therapy each week. It was WONDERFUL . Over time, we added in occupational therapy (fine motor skills) and some speech (for delays in the ability to chew foods, form sounds, etc.). My boys had really low muscle tone.

The first appointment was with a therapist coordinator and a therapist. Once we were in the program, we met and developed goals (James will be able to sit unassisted by 9 months, etc.). Then the therapist(s) came to our house for therapy 2x a week for 1/2 hour to 1 hour sessions. FANTASTIC!!

The nice thing about EI is that, once your kids are caught up (and most do get caught up), you can opt out of the program. If for some reason your kids aren't caught up by age 3 (mine weren't), the EI program made a smooth transition to the public ed. Early Education program. Their services/therapy were seamless and never dropped. It was (and is) great for them.

Edited to add: the EI program varies from state to state...you could get a lot more info if you posted your question in the special needs forum. Good luck, and take advantage of the services!! You'll be glad you did!

[Amys1st]

If your child is born under 1500 grams like my dd2, you automatically qualify.
I received a call right away about it but the follow up program from our nicu sees no reason at this point to need it. If I need it in the future, its there for her. She also somehows automatically qualifys for the early childhood class when she turns 3.

[ApplePieBaby]

Originally Posted by Amys1st

If your child is born under 1500 grams like my dd2, you automatically qualify.
I received a call right away about it but the follow up program from our nicu sees no reason at this point to need it. If I need it in the future, its there for her. She also somehows automatically qualifys for the early childhood class when she turns 3.

Yeah, they contacted us about it, and told us she also qualifies for medicaid.

[crissei]

We declined both the NICU follow-up clinic and the early intervention. DH and I really felt that the ped. was already pigeon-holeing him.
If I ever noticed that DS had a developmental delay I would look into it.
We are very involved parents and feel capable of identifying and dealing with any problems that may arise.

[RedOakMomma]

just a reminder, as far as the "pigeon-holing" goes....

In our state at least (and I suspect others, as well), the early intervention program does not transfer records to the school system. They'll help in the transition, if you wish, but records of any medical issue, diagnosis or therapy needs are not transferred. Getting EI help does not mean your child will be labelled once he/she is in school. There are systems in place to keep that from happening. TOTALLY separate systems.

I know my initial reaction was a little....defeatist (right word? Not quite....) when it came to accepting therapy services for my little guys. It was hard to admit that they were far enough behind to "need" help. Know what, though? This program is so eager to help, even with tiny physical delays, that WHO CARES if your child might not need full-blown services....take advantage!

Therapy at a newborn, or even baby or toddler level is so much fun for the kiddos....A nice woman comes to the house, and she and you sit on the floor with baby and play with baby and bring out neat toys and stuff. My kids loved, loved, loved it when the therapists arrived. I know, someone might be thinking "well, I can just sit on the floor and play with my kids..." True, you can. This is just something in addition...and, with the therapist, you have the added advantage of learning ways to play that help your baby develop and grow stronger. It was such a learning experience for me. Very worthwhile.

Plus, when you have twins, having another person around to make playtime more do-able (especially with babies) is SUCH a bonus.

[Azreial]

thanks everyone. It sounds like a pretty good program. I don't know if we'll need it right now but I'm going to keep the appointment and take it from there

[crissei]

Originally Posted by RedOakMomma

just a reminder, as far as the "pigeon-holing" goes....

In our state at least (and I suspect others, as well), the early intervention program does not transfer records to the school system. They'll help in the transition, if you wish, but records of any medical issue, diagnosis or therapy needs are not transferred. Getting EI help does not mean your child will be labelled once he/she is in school. There are systems in place to keep that from happening. TOTALLY separate systems.

I know my initial reaction was a little....defeatist (right word? Not quite....) when it came to accepting therapy services for my little guys. It was hard to admit that they were far enough behind to "need" help. Know what, though? This program is so eager to help, even with tiny physical delays, that WHO CARES if your child might not need full-blown services....take advantage!


Therapy at a newborn, or even baby or toddler level is so much fun for the kiddos....A nice woman comes to the house, and she and you sit on the floor with baby and play with baby and bring out neat toys and stuff. My kids loved, loved, loved it when the therapists arrived. I know, someone might be thinking "well, I can just sit on the floor and play with my kids..." True, you can. This is just something in addition...and, with the therapist, you have the added advantage of learning ways to play that help your baby develop and grow stronger. It was such a learning experience for me. Very worthwhile.

Plus, when you have twins, having another person around to make playtime more do-able (especially with babies) is SUCH a bonus.

I'm glad the EI is working out for you. I can see how having the extra help with twins would be a bonus.
As far as school records go, for us the issue is moot, DS will be homeschooled. That really wasn't my concern.
It has more to do with, not exposing him to unessesary medical intervention.

[mama_jaz]

I work in EI. Basically they will follow your children's development, and make sure they are reaching there developmental milestones. Its not a bad idea if your twins were born more than 4 weeks premature.

[Amys1st]

[QUOTE=crissei It has more to do with, not exposing him to unessesary medical intervention.[/QUOTE]

I can understand how you feel. But the follow up is a great program. My ped was a neo on staff at the nicu Maggie was at and is perfectly capable and she also suggested going to the follow up. Its a quick appt normally where a nurse practicier (who runs it), PT, Development Therpst, Nutrition, Fellow, and Neo go over things and make sure that the baby is on track. Its also a little reunion w other parents who are also there for follow up. We also visit the nicu too since they are an extended family now.

But one thing for sure- the micros of yesterday (like my dd) are helping at the follow up the ones born today and tomorrow. Maggie is doing so well, they want to know what we do. They want capable parents like DH & I and yourself to show how they did this so they can pass it on to other parents not so capable or parents who think they arent.
At our first appt , the Dr had loads of questions about my sling- she wanted to know how to get them for other mamas etc. She saw it as a great thing that she did not see that often. They also wanted to know what made me successful breastfeeding this baby. They can pass this infor on to other mothers and use this info in the nicu itself.


So IMHO, I have to give back to a place that saved my daughter's life and then gave her a good quality of life. If I can make that true for another family, I am all over it!

[crissei]

I guess it all depends on the situation. I had to fight to breastfeed my son in the nicu. Ignore the peds. comments about "never have heard of a preemie who was breastfed". Argue with the nutritionist at the BPD clinic when she insisted DS (and ALL preemies) needed dry formula mixed in his breastmilk bottles or, he would have bone fractures from a calcium deficency (that they assumed he had but, was never tested for)
Here is just one example of the bull we had to deal with.
At a pulmonology appt. An INTERN examined DS scrotum and said that he needed to see a surgeon because he had a hernia. I told her that I had never seen any indication of hernia or hydrocele and she said, " Oh he has it, he's a preemie!" I took him to the pediatrician to get his opinion and, refferal if necessary. The ped. said he saw no sign of a hernia and told us it wouldn't be a problem. Two days later I got a call from him saying that the BPD clinic sent him a letter saying DS needed surgery right away! (a pulmonology clinic???) Anyway, we go see the surgeon and, he says DS does not have a hernia (dur!)
Blah, Blah, Blah. I could write a book.
Just wanted to share my POV.
I really believe DS would not be doing as well as he is now if we had done EI. Nothing against EI in general, I just think it had the potential to lead to more difficulties with the medical community.

[Amys1st]

I know all those arguements since I had them myself. My dd too as well as most micros, has that hernia like all the kids. Hers is her belly button that is slwoly going away. I know two that had to have the surgery and thats it.

If I hadnt breastfed my dd1, my second would not be getting breastmilk. Because of her being my second, I knew the hurdles to get this baby to breastfed. Most people cannot believe what a champion nurser this baby is. BUT, she was a 24 weeks 6 days, 1 lb 12 oz. She gets that special formula w breastmilk too like she did in the nicu. She nurses on cue and as often as her older sister did, but she still is hungry for some extra supplement to grow. I had to remember she started at 1 lb, not full term so I will do it.

[jkpmomtoboys]

We were in the follow-up program at our NICU for the first year b/c ds1 was under 1500 grams.

I thought it was great. Every three months we went into SF and he was evaluated by a series of drs--everything from a neonatologist to a psychologist to talk about every aspect of his development.

When he was a year, they decided he was doing fine and we stopped going.

Part of it was for us and part of it was for the hospital so they could see how preemies do after a year, two years, etc...

It wasn't "unnecessary medical intervention" for us because he was never poked or prodded, but I could see how some would be gun-shy of programs like that once they've gotten out.

[usolyfan]

Ei

Our dd is seven months old and has been receiving EI services since she was two months old. I have been pleased with her PT and her OT, They are both very nice people. They are very laid back, down to earth people and they love dd. PT has been helpful in teaching me what and how to do various exercises to help dd (she has Spina Bifida and was also a preemie). I appreciate the EI services we receive.

[5xmom]

Joey gets EI and we love it. My other daughter also received services and so the same specialist has been coming for about 3 years. She plays with the other kids too and it gives me a much needed break!

[jenmparrott]

Both of my kiddos receive EI services. I love it and I dont have to leave the house with them since they are immuno supressed. They leave all services up to you and you can decline anything you want to. It just seems to be a good second look from the ped and I love our ped. Just cant be too careful with these little guys.

Jennifer

[WannabeaFarmer]

We have a great follow up called birth to 3 here in my area. They come to visit us and do weight checks and physical therapy(which we knew our dd would get cause of her brain bleed). We are going to the clinic for her six month(corrected) review on tues. I think the therapy helped with us cause she was a bit of a slow starter but now she is going strong as ever.