Child Study Meeting

The child study meeting for Harlie went well. I forgot exactly what happens in a child study meeting. Harlie's first was in June. I did not attend because it happened during her heart surgery hospitalization.

Basically people from different specialties (speech, physical therapy, developmental, counseling, etc.) attend the meeting and decide what areas to test, or evaluate Harlie in - to determine what services she qualifies to receive. So, in June, they determined, based on the information they had (her medical history), that she should be tested in her speech and physical abilities. She was evaluated in both areas during the summer, and at an Eligibility Meeting (where the evaluators were in attendance) it was decided that she was eligible to receive speech and physical therapy through the county's school system. That's when they wrote her Individual Education Plan (IEP) which spells out goals we want her to achieve in both areas. So, in summary, she can't receive services in an area where she's not tested.

Anyway, after a few month's therapy with the school services, her speech therapist thought we should look into getting more services for her. Especially in light of her hearing impairment. So, we met to go over things again. This time around, they are testing/evaluating her in five different areas (speech, audiological, medical, developmental and something else I can't remember right now). The reason they are re-testing her in speech is because there is a test for hearing kids, and a different test for non-hearing kids. The last time, she got the test for hearing kids. So, this time she'll get the other test.

Over the next couple of months she'll be tested in those different areas (except for audiological since she just had her ABR test). I think she has to be tested every year. Once all the tests have been conducted, we'll have an Eligibility Meeting, where they will determine what services she's eligible to receive.

Even though I don't know how things are going to go with her testing, etc. I do feel that everyone on the "team" wants to give her the right tools to help her to succeed. And I am so grateful for that. While I do wish we caught her hearing impairment sooner, she's still only three - and with the right tools, I think we can catch her up.

Take care!
~Christy

Hearing Aid Appointment

Today we had an appointment with an audiologist to get Harlie her hearing aid. We picked out a pretty cool one if you ask me. It is purple (which will match her communication device, which I hope will be here by the end of January) and is transparent. I know I said it's purple, but you can still see through it. She said that the kids really like it when they can see all the stuff inside. Sounds cool to me! The part that's purple will sit behind her ear. With her hair down, you probably won't even see it. During her ABR test they took an impression of her ear (while she was still asleep) so they can make the mold of the part that goes in her ear. We got to pick out that part, too. We picked what they called "sparkles." It is clear with glitter in it. I think it will look pretty cool and hopefully she'll want to wear it.

We go to get it January 4th. And then the fun begins! The first hurdle will be to get her to wear it - and not take it off. The audiologist said that they only give it a little sound so that she gets used to wearing it - and to hearing - a little at a time. I really think that once she realizes the benefits, wearing it won't be a problem. And hopefully we can get it working right for her without too many trips to the audiologist.

I am so anxious to see how things change for her once she starts hearing more clearly.

Tomorrow we have a Child Study meeting with the county. Now that we know she's hearing impaired, we just want to make sure that we are doing everything we can to help her succeed. Her speech therapist at the elementary school put this into action and I am very appreciative. Thanks, Jennifer!

Have a good night!
~Christy