Intervention - NOT the TV Show!

Yesterday I took T for her "Early Intervention" Screening. I know many people have mixed thoughts on "Early Intervention". Some people feel there is a stigma involved with getting a child extra help ("Will my child be labeled 'behind' forever?"). However, I feel that every child should be given every chance possible to enter their school/formidable years with every possible advantage.

This is especially the case with International adoption. In T's case, she came home to the US at 2 1/2 years old. The social worker I met with before court (who was great and I really liked her) told me that in their estimation, T was "5 Levels Developmentally Delayed". Didn't surprise me -- she was living in an institution.

So while it took me a while to figure out where to call - I finally tracked down the Early Intervention folks in my county. They were great on the phone and we scheduled T's screening. I honestly thought she'd likely qualify in 4 or 5 of the categories - specifically language and some motor skills. I mean she's only been home 2 months.

WRONG!! My little sweetie only qualified in ONE category and I had to laugh when they told me what it was. She qualifies for some therapy in "Coping with Others" skills - because when they asked me if she "defends herself if another child wants to take a toy away from her" the answer was no. She's not used to that -- she's used to having to share. Everything in her life was shared. So the plan is to start her in a playgroup to help develop these skills.

I really liked the staff at the "Early On" building. They were great. Very nice and very helpful. They were shocked that T has only been home 2 months and how much language she's already grasped. T's case worker even said "she's more advanced than most 2 year olds in language development". WHAT? 5 Levels Delayed? Riiiiiiiiggggghhhhht.

So note to future adoptive parents: don't be alarmed by small delays -- most of these kids flourish when they get home.