Today Simmi’s Service coordinator came with the results for her developmental assessment and to determine if she would benefit from early intervention services. It was determined that she is coming along nicely but she is still behind in a few areas and very much behind in others.
She really has come a long way since last year, but something still is amiss. Hopefully she will catch up. Simmi was evaluated for the following areas:
Gross motor, fine motor, relationship to inanimate objects (cognitive), language and communication, self help, relationship to persons, emotions and feeling states, and coping behavior: ability to adapt to opportunities and demands of daily living.
This is what the report said for each area:
- Gross Motor: “Adequate”- This is an area of relative strength for Simone. Age level-21 months
- Fine Motor: “Moderate delay”- Simone would benefit from more experiences using her fingers and hands to manipulate a variety of objects. Age level-18 months
- Relationship to Inanimate Objects (Cognitive)- “Moderate delay”-Simone is mostly in the stage of sensory motor exploration. She is beginning to play more purposefully with toys and to engage in simple pretend play. Age level-18 months
- Language and Communication- “Significant delay”-Simone understands some words that are part of her daily routine and is beginning to use some word approximations to communicate. Age level-10-13 months
- Self Help-“Adequate”-Reportedly, Simone does well with a spoon and fork. She needs to learn to drink from a cup without a lid and begin to take off items of clothing. Age level-20 months
- Relationship to Persons-“Adequate with concerns”-Simone imitates actions she observes her adults perform. She is beginning to use some word approximations to communicate. See emotions below. Age level-20 months
- Emotions and Feeling States-“Adequate with Concerns”-Although Simone is a happy child, she appears more affectionate with strangers than would be expected for her age. Age level- N/A
- Coping Behavior: Ability to adapt to opportunities and demands of daily living-“Delayed”-Simone is not using gestures or words to communicate her needs. She has had limited interactions with other children. Age level-15 months
Its always good to have other opinions on how a person feels your child is doing. I knew that she was behind in communication, but I never expected them to say that she is functioning on a 10-13 month level. That is a whole year behind. When she was 12 months old, I knew her communication was off and doctor felt that it was “ok” because some kids just develop a little slower. Well, its a whole year later and I’d say that she is way behind! I am encouraged that she is saying words that seem to be “sticking.” She has times where she will say words and then they will disappear. “Bye Bye” she now says appropriately and she can also wave as she says it. She can also say it first if she sees someone is leaving. “Pee Pee” is also another word she says appropriately while I am changing her diaper. I am trying to teach her to just say “poop” but she won’t say it. She still can’t tell me if she is hungry, but if I ask her if she would like to eat, she will now make the sign for food by putting her hand to her mouth. However she doesn’t do it on her own to tell me first. I still have to gauge whether or not she is hungry. I would like her to also say “Ba Ba” if she wants one, but she doesn’t do that yet either. Even if a bottle is sitting on the counter waiting for her because it is naptime, (and I know she needs one) she won’t point to it to tell me she needs it.
In one month, she will be 2 years old. I know that once a child hits that age, the doctors tend to sit up and listen a little more carefully when it comes to these types of things. For now, I still hear things reminicient of last year such as “its ok, she’s not doing it yet but she will” or “she is taking those first steps to doing this or that, so she will catch up.” I hope that is true. To be six months through twelve months behind in development of different areas is very concerning to me.
Tags: ability to adapt, cognitive development, coping behavior, developmental delays, emotions and feeling states, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, language and development of a toddler, two year old child
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