Tax Dollars at Work

Because she has a diagnosis of Poland's Syndrome, TinyE qualifies for in-home OT courtesy of our school system, part of Early Childhood Special Education Services. Snippets from the website:

The Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) program serves children birth through age 6 who have identified special education needs. Children qualify for services by meeting state established criteria. The ECSE program consists of four components; The Birth to Three program, The Three to Kindergarten program, the Kindergarten program and The Speech and Language program.

ECSE services are delivered in a variety of settings. Federal Law mandates that education services for our youngest children, those ages birth to three, to the maximum extent possible must be provided in a child's natural environment. Thus the infants and toddlers we serve generally receive their educational program either in their homes or in their child care settings.

Hand surgeon Dr. VH referred us to the Birth to Three program back at our first visit, when TinyE was four months old. Since then, we've gone to outpatient OT once a month, and once a month we get home visits from B-to-3.

Last Tuesday, Sara (Occupational Therapist) and Linda (Special Ed teacher) arrived for their regular B-to-3 visit, only this time Sara brought along some goodies -- a little wooden desk and a large, colorful wedge thingy. (Click the photo up above to see how I arranged her "desk" items... phone, blocks, all part of the Baby Executive series.) The goal is to provide more opportunities for her to play on a higher surface level, either sitting on her bottom at the desk or perched on her knees against the wedge. I think she likes this.

Both Sara and Linda were impressed with her progress, especially as TinyE is motoring around by rolling and can sit up on her own for several seconds at a time. Sara showed us that placing some gentle pressure on TinyE's thighs will help her learn how to "anchor" herself when sitting. (demonstrated by Daddy...click the photo for a better view of that facial expression!)

Final note
Latest splint succombs! TinyVelcro is no match for TinyJaws! Anticipated acquisition of new, custom-made splint: tomorrow.