Ready for PreSchool
Nia, My 2 year old daughter, has started preschool. I'm proud to say that she's happy, healthy and emotionally prepared for a lifetime of learning. What I've learned at here at United Way has played a big part in Nia's success.
The Concern
At 18 months Nia had minor problems with her feet and was not continuing to advance at the level that we’d seen her in previous months. Nia was showing increased frustration when learning new concepts and would give up very quickly. I was concerned that she’d have trouble learning her alphabets and numbers and that she would not be ready for kindergarten at this rate. My husband and I consulted her pediatrician and she assured us her behavior was a phase and that most babies when learning how to walk, walk heavily on their toes. Months later we saw no improvement and the doctor, who is has been great still did not see any major problems. After going back and forth, I followed my instinct based on all the statistics I’ve absorbed at United Way and called Brockton Early Intervention (Nia had been in the program from birth to 1 year). I explained my concerns about Nia’s social, emotional and physical development (using information I learned from UW’s work). As a new mom I was in “emergency mode” and requested a home evaluation.
The solution
The evaluation showed that Nia regressed from her advanced level in some areas and was lagging in others, but not enough to qualify for the program. We also discovered Nia, unknowingly was causing muscle strains that made it impossible for her to flatten her feet when walking—because she could not flex the muscle and the slightest touch was painful to her.
Thankfully, Nia was accepted based on clinical observation for six months (Early Intervention is intended for babies with an 8 month delay or more) to help her get back up to speed. This gave us access to specialists to address each of our concerns for Nia. During this time, Nia joined the Early Intervention playgroup and received an additional one-on-one home visit from one of the teachers to re-enforce the things she learned. During the home visits my husband and I learned different ways of teaching patience, endurance and obedience. The therapist often joked that she felt like she was lecturing us, but I enjoyed soaking up the valuable information.
The success
During the regular follow-up visits and evaluations I would get excited that I could speak to the therapists using language specific to health child development! I would make requests and have statistics and facts to validate my concerns. It was empowering to know we were making good choices as parents and understanding the context of why certain milestones and behaviors are important to monitor. For us it was not just about using the words, but accepting and understanding the concept of child development and knowing it's OK that our child needs help in a certain area.
I’m happy to say that Nia was happily discharged as a client, performing on and above her age level. She was asked to be a community kid (a model student)! Her teachers/therapists raved about her rapid improvement and advanced interest and ability in math and science (specifically astronomy). During one home visit I was told that Nia has a forceful personality and that we should encourage her to be a leader. Her feet are just fine, she’ll still go to a doctor and get re-sized for shoe inserts.
Nia is not what most people would expect of a child who would be in Early Intervention, but she is truly an example that any child—regardless of ethnicity, financial background and location—can need an extra boost to get them on track for early learning. Working at United Way is more than coming to work, it’s an education and an invaluable source of information that informs it’s community (internally and externally) on matters that affect our community.
Sharon, this is a moving and
Sharon, this is a moving and powerful post, one that took some courage to write. I imagine it's difficult for any parent to describe challenges their children experience, especially at such a young age. I'm thrilled that you learned information in your work at United Way that gave you the confidence and the language to advocate for your daughter, and that your advocacy led to Nia getting what she needed when she needed it.
Early Intervention (EI) is a state-sponsored program that assists children who experience or are at risk for developmental delays (social, emotinoal, physical or cognitive). It serves children 0 to 3 years of age, and is able to send specialists to work with children wherever is convenient for the child and parent, be that at home or in a child care setting.
Sharon raises the good point that some children may be released from the program when developmental milestones are met, yet end up regressing when services are no longer provided. Some of these children will be able to have their needs met by others, such as child care professionals, but sometimes they do once again need the specialized services offered by EI. It is important for parents to be educated about what is and is not developmentally normal for a child's age, and to be able to request additional resources when they appear warranted.
A recent lawsuit (Rosie D. vs. Romney) requires the state to conduct developmental screenings for all children recieving pediatric care under MassHealth. This underscores the importance of tracking child development beyond the health indicators normally reviewed in a pediatric visit. Immunizations, height, and weight are still important, but so are language, behavioral, or other developmental concerns. By screening children regularly during well-child visits, it is expected that more children who need additional developmental supports to grown and develop happily and healthily will be identified and referred to high-quality perograms such as EI. One unfortunate side-effect of this lawsuit is that such screening is now required and reimbursed for children receiving MassHealth, thus potentially presenting the view that only lower-income children need such services. This is not so, as Sharon points out.
The original lawsuit pertained only to specific children receiving MassHealth, and thus the "remedy" for the issue legally could not extend beyond the MassHealth program. Advocates around the state are hoping to use the expected benefits from this new developmental screening requirement to make the case for all children to receive such screenings, and for all health insurance plans to reimburse professionals for these important efforts.
*Commentor is a fellow blogger and on staff at United Way
Sharon, Thank you for
Sharon, Thank you for sharing your story, and Clare's background info is excellent. While Sharon admittedly had a "leg up" because she's exposed to United Way's work every day, I think she illustrate's something important about United Way's work. United Way focuses its efforts on comunities where need is greatest, and rightly so. Sometimes people in more affluent communities ask: what is United Way's work doing for me? I think this is an example. By raising the public profile of social-emotional development in children, United Way is helping parents to ask the right questions and persist if those questyions aren't answered. That level of awareness helps parents in Winchester and Sudbury as well as Dorchester and Chinatown. Thanks again, Sharon, and I hope your daughter continues to thrive.
*commenter works at United Way
Sharon, thanks for your
Sharon, thanks for your post. It was very informative and I'm sure there are other new moms out there who have some of the same concerns and don't know where to turn or are just afraid to seek help for fear that their child may be labeled as having a disability. You (and the others who have commented) have given them some great ideas on how to get the ball rolling. And you have shown that sometimes children just need a little push in the right direction and they too can excel or even exceed expectations for children their age. Thanks again.
Thank you for this blog. I
Thank you for this blog. I think it's important for parents to understand that they are not always being overprotective when following up with health care providers about their concerns. This is a prime of example of what being informed and being observant can do. Knowing what to do and what to look for is also a clear indication of the many ways United Way has helped our local communities.
This was a good story that
This was a good story that illustrated what a mature and attentive parent can do to avail her family of services by utilizing information provided by the United Way. Unfortunately, as the respondent Clare S. pointed out, more insurers have to recognize the necessity of the screening and cover the cost.
Hopefully this necessity will be added to insurance health care coverage through the efforts of vocal advocates and agencies that are concerned about family health issues and services. Healthy babies and families have many requirements. Fortunately there is an agency like the United Way that provides information about services we can all use.
Sharon thanks for sharing.
Sharon thanks for sharing. As a mother and A teacher I think it is important for parents to know where they can go for information and help. Everyday I hear parents who are frustrated because they don't know where to turn. Even worse most times I don't know where to direct them. I will take this blog and post it in the parent center for parents to read. I am sure your story can help to let others know they are not alone and there is help.
Sharon, Thank you for your
Sharon, Thank you for your courage and honesty in posting such an important story! To "Guest's" point, it has always fascinated me that there are so many tests, and permits, and obstacles to gain certain privileges in our community-- like a driver's license-- but there is no course, no manual or no test to be a parent. Though not a parent myself (yet), I look forward to that particular blessing in my life. However, I also have reservations because I have questions such as what does it mean to be a good parent, how do I properly react to various situations, how can I best help my child be prepared for school and a life of happiness and success. etc.? I would imagine most new or expecting parents must have similar questions and many others, and there is hope and relief in knowing that United Way is a part of our community to serve as a bridge between parents and the resources they need to ensure their parenting success and the positive impact they will have on the life of their child. Thank you for sharing you experience, and for serving as a reminder to others of the resources we can find through United Way!
* Commenter works at United Way.
This was a very informative
This was a very informative post. Although I have no children myself, it was very insightful for me in the sense that I may take this information into consideration as I watch my niece and nephew grow. There is a wealth of information and services out there just waiting to be utilized. However, these services do no good if those who need it are unaware of its existence. It is good to know that organizations like United Way are available to offer vital information to those who need it the most.
I'm thrilled at the
I'm thrilled at the discussion sparked by Nia's experience and hope that it helps more parents and children in similar situations. I agree with Clare's point and hope that the news of the developmental screening requirement is communicated quickly to parents so more children receive services they need early on. I've often wondered at my kids' appointments why parents are not given more information about milestones and development. I wish that the state provided parents with materials during visits the same way we're given info sheets about immunizations so there's have a tangible resource on hand that we can refer to.
To D. Bennett's point we as a community have to talk to eachother and get information out to people that there are programs, laws, and agencies that are helping families raising young children.
I give you a lot of credit
I give you a lot of credit for writing a detailed post about your daughter and not holding back. I wish more parents were like you when dealing with their kids. Just as many of the other comments have stated, if more information was available to parents and grandparents a lot of kids would get off to a better start in life. It's sad that people still think that only children raised in homes that are considered low income are what people expect when you talk about getting help for a kid.
With more discussions like this (thanks to United Way), online and face-to-face with people in the area, the community can end the myth, help children, and close the educational and financial gap in this country.
It's good to read an uplifting story that will help others.
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