Early Intervention Success Story

By Allison Berman
February 9, 2010

I remember the day I brought my daughter home from St. Anthony Hospital in Warwick. The nurse suggested I not leave my newborn outside unattended or a wild animal could eat her.

Good advice, but I really would have preferred a list detailing at what age most children should be doing what physically. I knew my daughter was falling behind when she wasn't walking at 17 months; but without benchmarks, I didn't know just how far behind.

The right people were right here
My pediatrician repeatedly acknowledged my daughter was late - first, when I was concerned she wasn't crawling at 11 months, and then not walking. But, he also assured me, "she wouldn't crawl down the wedding aisle in diapers." Shw ould catch up eventually.

I am sure he was right, but why should she be crawling, staring at her peers' ankles, while they learned to run?

Jodi Levin of Jump Start Therapy enlightened me: Parents don't need a doctor's prescription for an early-intervention evaluation, something most of us parents don't realize.

I called Bridget Kolka, who made navigating the mound of paperwork and the evaluation process - what could have been a nightmare - completely manageable.

I got the most helpful, compassionate service coordinator, Julie Swain, at Dynamic Therapy. And there was just something about Mary, my daughter's amazing physical therapist.

Reaching all the milestones

I thought she was nuts when she told me she would have my very stubborn daughter caught up to the majority of her peers in less than a year. But, just in case she could do it, I drank her Kool-Aid, and I am so glad I did.

I was nervous how I would find time to do exercises with my daughter. I don't even exercise myself! But rather than having to set aside special time, exercising became a part of our everyday lives.

I would tell Mary my daughter's "challenges," like climbing into a chair, stepping over a threshold, or pushing her chair under the table. Mary would then teach me how to teach my daughter simplified versions of these life skills, all the while "exercising" my daughter.

Mary has been my living, breathing "milestone list," keeping me aware of what skills my daughter should be able to do when, and she has just been an amazing support system - on top of the whole getting-my-daughter-to-walk thing.

Bittersweet success
Early intervention is a wonderful, free resource in our area. If your child qualifies for services, your child needs them. Don't feel like you are "taking advantage" of anything. Don't worry about labeling your child. Nobody knows your child gets services unless you tell them. And don't worry that you are too busy. Service providers can come before work and can work with alternate caregivers if parents aren't available.

Mary was spot-on with her assessment. After almost a year, and with mixed feelings, we are preparing for my daughter's discharge. I am excited to use the time we normally spend in physical therapy for other things, but I am concerned my daughter will miss Mary. I know I will.

Allison Berman, an artist and mother of two, handpaints custom home accessories for interior designers and private customers. She works out of her home studio in Warwick, NY. See her collection at www.withlovealib.com. She can be reached at ali@withlovealib.com. Her column appears Tuesdays.