How Does That Make Sense!?!

Updated on October 22, 2006
S.J. asks from Milford, ME
6 answers

My 12month old daughter was born at 26 weeks of pregnancy, weighed 2lbs 1oz at birth. Since she was released from the hospital she hasn’t had any medical issues, which is rare, but good. I took her to developmental clinic when she was 9 months old. Afterward they sent me an information packet about how my child is doing developmentally. The results showed that she was operating at about 7-8 months old development wise. Keeping in mind that she was born prematurely by 3 months, when she was 9months old, she was at 6months old adjusted age. They all reported that she needed physical therapy because she hasn’t caught up to 9 months old yet. I told them I wouldn’t take her to therapy because she hasn’t caught up. When she starts not showing any improvement then I will do something. My daughter is doing excellent as far as I’m concerned. She is 12 months old now but really only 9months and she’s crawling and exploring and she stands, doesn’t walk yet but she’s close. She says “Dada” and “kitty” and “teddy” and many assorted things other than “muma” but I’ve been reassured that it will happen and when it does it won’t ever stop! She eats a lot and basically just tromps around like a healthy baby does. Why would I bring her to therapy? Why should she have to catch up to her own age when she wouldn’t have been that old if she were born on time? All she did in the isolet was lay there like she would have in the womb anyway. She was discharged from the hospital a week before her due date and I treat that as her age most of the time. She has another developmental appointment on the 3rd of November and I’m kind of afraid of what they’re going to say since I went against their advice the first time.

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So What Happened?

Alizah had her developmental evaluation early in December and the conclusion was that she is a healthy, happy baby who is doing just fine. She was a little behind in a few things but it was decided that she really didn't need therapy for it and that she would catch on soon enough. I was heavily relieved.

She began walking in the beginning of January and has excelled in her development as expected and everything is going well. Thank you to everyone who gave such great advice.

More Answers

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S.F.

answers from Buffalo on

Sounds like she's doing really great - as the mom of a 25w3d preemie, I know where you're coming from. But we had Early Intervention services from day one, and it wasn't a big deal. It was just a therapist coming to the house to play with our daughter. The philosophy behind EI is that it's better to catch potential problems as early as possible. Don't take it as them saying that there's something wrong with your daughter, but rather them trying to help her be even more fabulous than she already is!

1 mom found this helpful
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E.

answers from Providence on

Hi S.~ Firstly, what does your pediatrician have to say? My son was born 10 weeks early. He probably wasnt fully "caught up" until he was around 3 years old. And then again every child's development is individualized. I don't think I would be too concerned about your next appt, but there is no harm in having her evaluated by a therapist either. Talk to your pediatrician. My pediatrician was my rock. She guilded me and got me through a lot. Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.D.

answers from New York on

S.,

Common expectation is that preemies who don't have medical issues catch up to their birth age by 2 years, not 9 months. Sh'es still got a long time to keep catching up. I'd see another dev. doc.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.F.

answers from New London on

YOu do what YOU feel is right!! She seems to be going along just fine.... see if you can get her into a play group that will help her develope even more.

Keep up the good work
M.

1 mom found this helpful
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H.M.

answers from Lewiston on

I wouldn't worry about what they have to say at the next apt- you did what all parents have a legal right to do, and that is to refuse services. You are doing what you feel is right for your child. But the point of accessing services now is because your daughter is more likely to be able to catch up if you help her sooner rather than later. Some little ones fall further behind as time goes on...and others develop just fine. And the other mom is right- most of them catch up by age 2. But after that, developmental assessments no longer factor in her adjusted age, and a delay would be considered more serious. Early intervention is just a service that gives preemies (and others) the best chance of catching- and keeping- up with their peers. The earlier the better. Good luck to you!

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E.

answers from Hartford on

Personally, if it was my child I would bring her to therapy if more than one professional recommended it just to be on the safe side. What do you have to lose? If it's only a benefit and won't be harmful, why not take the time to do it?

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