Early intervention evaluation

As I mentioned in my recent update, we had Eden evaluated by early intervention because she wasn't rolling in either direction.  Although there is a wide range of normal, every milestone questionnaire I looked at said to contact a doctor if baby was not rolling by this age.  She rolled a handful of times around 4 months, but hasn't done it much since.  My thought was, she had that hip dysplasia thing, she was cleared - but maybe they got it wrong and she has some very slight issues, and needs some physical therapy.  (Feel free to keep reading below.)




Long story short, the evaluator wasn't that concerned about gross motor by itself, suggested more tummy time - but the evaluation/questionnaire came back with all sorts of other red flags, about things I was either only slightly concerned about or hadn't even thought to be concerned about.  She had an extreme reaction to one thing we told her, and that was the most upsetting part of the whole thing.

So we're having a next-level evaluation in the next few weeks, and the evaluator even mentioned simultaneously getting a private evaluation.  People I've talked to about this tend to have the reaction of "OMG this is nuts, she's totally fine" or "getting help this early is extremely helpful" or some combination of the two.  And after a rough couple of days of being pretty upset (ok... totally freaking out - thank goodness I have a supportive partner, friends and family, and a supportive employer), my conclusion is that I am trying not to take this one evaluation too seriously, meanwhile benefiting from whatever services she gets.  (1) This evaluator is not a doctor, but a gatekeeper who determines if people qualify for services. Looking for evidence of possible problems is her job, and qualifying for services is actually a good thing regardless. (2) The questionnaire she was using is for babies 7 months and 1 day to 8 months 30 days.  Eden was evaluated at 7 months 11 days - so, the very early end of this period.  (3) Honestly, some of the things the evaluator said were pretty weird.  For example, when Eden responded to her name, the woman looked at Eden and said "oh, you know your name!  That's great - I saw a 6 month baby the other day and he didn't know his name and it hurt my heart!"  Really?  6 months?!

Then at daycare on Friday, Eden rolled about 10 times!  Mostly from tummy to back but some from back to front too, we're told.  I think Suzuki stepped it up and started really making a huge effort to keep her on her tummy as much as possible.  Then, she rolled for us a few times today.  So, progress is being made.  And I am feeling a little better.