It is what I longed for....

After months of Gretta's vocabularly not advancing and us making
a referral to AEA, we have a child who is never quiet. I can honestly say in September Gretta's vocabulary was sporadic and was very slow at developing. Gretta would refuse, abstain, or would lack of attempt to verbal communication that was relevant. We (or more me than Matt) struggled to figure out and understand our silent Gretta. Many people thought I was overeacting, but it is difficult to sit back and not compare your child to other children her age. We had 2 nieces who have excelled in language and communication, and our child lacked extensively in that area (Sorry Bec and Sarah, your children were on pedestals!). It was difficult not to worry or compare.

I had decided that I was going to make a referral to Heartland AEA (Area education Agency) for help. What a humbling experience. When AEA came to evaluate her, they concluded that she was excelling in all areas (gross & fine motor off the charts, and problem solving at above average)and was scored on the low side of normal in language/vocabulary development. This was no surprise to us (Hence that is why I made a parent referal). Although she was discrepent among communication she did not meet the needs for goals and intervention because she did was not greater than 25% discrepency among her peers at her age.

We were thankful when they evaluated her they told us that her lack of communication and vocabulary use was not related to her ability to communicate or her lack of understanding rather that she was motor driven (NO kidding!)They reiterate to me (which I already knew but was nice to hear from a professional) that children often excel in one area and eventually catch up in the other area. When both the social worker and child development specialist came they told Matt and I the complete opposite of what we were worried about is that she was extremely bright. It was comforting to know that a complete stranger could see through a different lens the strengths of a child and beyond the over analytical parent such as myself.

As a mom who is nurse and works in the school my mind was/is always going to "worse case scenarios" and I still was not satisfied with the response that she didn't qualify for interventions. At the time I was not hungry for words, but rather hungry to connect. Gretta and I are bonded, permanently,.forever. But it was the day to day connection of knowing what she wanted, being able to communicate with her, understanding her thoughts as she played, learning what she wanted to do, knowing what she really was hungry for, and understand what she wanted when she was thirsty ---that's what I really wanted. Therefore I pushed for some interventions. They agreed that although she would not have specific goals such as in IEP (individual education plan-special ed),they would meet with her based on opionion and would monitoring progress for 6 months and then reevaluate.

In just a few months the child was barely communicating and saying very few words on a regular basis (she didn't even have words for snacks, cup, milk, juice, a word for the dog etc). She now puts concepts together and is speaking 4 to 5 word sentences. Now whether her improvement is from interventions provided by AEA and us as parents, or she has just decided to open her mouth and use it, or we have caught her at an explosive stage(I personally believe it's all three)the Lord had answered our prayers.

At Gretta's last visit they even suggested that she could be dropt if we wanted to. At this point we still have services till April and I would like to keep them. We have appreciated the AEA so much for their wisdom and support. ALthough they only come once a month, they have provided Matt and I with techniques and tips to teach Gretta to be a better communicator as well as giving us ideas and activities to develop and challenge her in all areas of her life (we still have not been able to challenege her physically....she challenges us in that area!)

She is takling all the time and carrying on conversations that are purposeful and relevant. Simple, Simple, it is the simple moments in things that God reminds me everyday of his grace and love.

"Mommy, home, I pay outshide in snowing" (Mommy, at home I play outside in the snow)

And what I want is happy children. A happy home. And children with happy memories of a sincerely joyful mother. That much is in my control. Praise God for his patience and generosity in moving my feet to a better view.