We moved forward with Camden’s Early Intervention therapy about a month ago. He’s been meeting with an occupational therapist 2 times a week and a DI once a week. That’s 3 hours of therapy each week for my little one. While I’m super excited about this, I’m also really bummed because I’m not going to be a part of these sessions.
I have always had the ability to manipulate my work schedule to attend doctor appointments, special school events, field trips and anything I felt I should be there for. With this being a long term thing and us living in the suburbs I can’t come into work late 3 days a week for 6 months. So I’m working through my guilt, that I can’t be there for my baby for this big change. I do feel lucky that Mike will be there and they will be in our home so there’s a major advantage to that, but this is one of those hard things that a Mom working outside of the home has to live/work through.
I was able to attend a session the other day and watching him interact with the therapist and almost say his name was a beautiful moment for me. I’ve been working on getting him to say it for so long and he’s never done that for me. This process has been eyeopening to me in so many ways.
This month has been amazing in his development and speech and I know it’s only going to get better. I must take advantage of the time I do get to watch him learn and grow and educate myself on ways I can help him. So many of the things they are doing are playing with him that it doesn’t even seem like he’s working at making his stomach muscles strong, or taking turns and having him repeat back who’s turn it is. All of these things I can incorporate in how I play and interact with him to feel like I’m also a part of the process.
It’s hard to not be present in the moment when the sessions are happening, but I have to move on and communicate with Mike and the therapists on what I can do with my short and precious moments with him. Being in the intervention program isn’t just about someone working with your child, but taking the time to learn about what does work for them and how you can be progressive in helping with the goals you’ve set.
This is me Destiny! I'm a content creator that covers DIY, Cricut, Travel, National Parks, Disney, Games and Family. I’m navigating life with my husband Mike, 2 kids and live in the suburbs of Maplewood, New Jersey.
I've been where you are and I have to say, while it stinks that you can't be there for his sessions, maybe your husband can set up a discreet video cam or something so you can take a look? With my oldest child, his sessions (he had low muscle tone and sensory) were usually in another room of the therapy place (they didn't want me watching). My youngest (who just turned 4) started a special ed preschool a year ago for his speech delay (so I didn't get to see his therapy). But a year later, while he is still delayed, he's come a long way. He's talking now (he wasn't talking until he hit 3). He's not scared to run around and climb up playground structures. Therapy helped him. He's going back for his pre-k year at the same special ed preschool and we are so excited to see his progress. Good luck to your son, I'm here if you need to chat.
Love your suggestions! It's nice to have a friend to talk with about this and that things are going so good for your little one. Looking forward to seeing how the year goes for both our guys!
I am so happy you are seeing changes already. These programs are wonderful, I know we talked at Blogger Bash about them too. I see both sides as a mom with a son in therapies (OT, PT, Speech and Special Instruction), and as a Special Ed therapist myself working with children and their families. Feel free to reach out anytime. Another tip would use a communication log, therapists can give quick updates/tips in notebook and between sessions if you think of anything you can write to them. Many of Jack's therapies I wasn't home for, his grandparents took him or he received at school, communication is key.