https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:25:55 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ei-success-stories#post-2886783 Wed, 05 Jun 2019 11:31:46 +0000 jhd 2886783@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms. RV: What an awesome update!!!! :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ei-success-stories#post-2886780 Wed, 05 Jun 2019 11:20:05 +0000 nwm 2886780@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms. RV: woohoo! that's so great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ei-success-stories#post-2886771 Wed, 05 Jun 2019 10:52:16 +0000 Ms. RV 2886771@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have an EI success story!! Four weeks ago DS could barely get food to his mouth and would gag on anything other than liquids and purees. After just four OT sessions, he has caught up 95% to where he should be for his age. His therapist said in her 12 years of doing EI OT she has never seen someone progress so quickly.</p> <p>He has also started rolling, transitioning from tummy to sitting, and crawling all within a week a couple weeks ago. Still behind on the gross motor side but unbelievable progress in such a short time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ei-success-stories#post-2882197 Fri, 26 Apr 2019 12:31:45 +0000 MrsADS 2882197@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pinkelephant hmm that's interesting! I am ok with our current situation - our pediatric PT is fantastic and has like 20 years of experience. My only interest in EI would be if we could receive additional services like in home or something, but what we have now is not bad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ei-success-stories#post-2882194 Fri, 26 Apr 2019 12:07:39 +0000 PinkElephant 2882194@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsADS: If it makes you feel any better, hypotonia does get you into EI here, but EI PTs charge on a sliding scale, so most average families who have insurance find it is actually cheaper (by more than 50%, for us!) to get private PT and keep our EI status as case management only. Plus with private you have more control over who your PT is....so sometimes private is a better option anyway :) :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ei-success-stories#post-2882107 Thu, 25 Apr 2019 17:41:54 +0000 MrsADS 2882107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ms. Rv hypotonia isn't on the list of conditions in Florida that get you in to EI, unfortunately. Depending on his progress in the next couple months, I may have him evaluated anyway, but we're lucky to have excellent insurance coverage for PT, so we go twice a week </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ei-success-stories#post-2882106 Thu, 25 Apr 2019 17:36:08 +0000 Ms. RV 2882106@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsADS: I just checked, and Florida allows you to be eligible for EI if you have a condition that is likely to result in delays. If DS has an official diagnosis of hypotonia, then he should be able to at least get evaluated for EI. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ei-success-stories#post-2882095 Thu, 25 Apr 2019 15:14:26 +0000 Chuckles 2882095@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms. RV: @MrsADS: It is hard to have a kiddo who looks their age but acts younger. My son didn't start walking until 19 months. And because of his feeding issues, whenever we had playdates or activities, he wouldn't eat the snacks that were handed out. Or he would be mouthing 1 goldfish cracker for 15 minutes while the other kids were on their second helping. I always felt like we stood out. But, in terms of success stories, like I mentioned above, you'd never know now that he had any issues when he was younger. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ei-success-stories#post-2882094 Thu, 25 Apr 2019 15:14:18 +0000 MrsADS 2882094@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ms. rv usually they move up when they turn 12 months. But I'm not sure they have had a child who is as delayed as my son (I hate even saying that :crying: ) move up at 12 months. Like I don't think they've had one who isn't crawling or pulling up. I think they may be concerned they need extra hands to make sure he stays safe from the bigger kids who are running/walking. Like even at home I have to watch him because he sometimes topples over from sitting when he's tired, and he's knocked over very easily because he doesn't have much balance or endurance. So I could see him easily getting knocked over or hurt by a bigger kid just because he can't stay balanced.</p> <p>It would sort of be like putting a 7 month old in there or something. Like he can't sit in the chairs, can't do any of the activities, can't play with a lot of the toys, can't really play outside on their playground except to just sit and watch. I mean, I am hopeful that within a few months he'll be pulling up and crawling and ready to move over. It's hard to know what's best for him. He just seems very young, not just physically but also with feeding and communication. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ei-success-stories#post-2882093 Thu, 25 Apr 2019 15:09:48 +0000 charlotte 2882093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son is an EI success story! He started PT around 12 months old - he was only rolling and sitting at the time. He army crawled within a month of starting PT and began to make good progress. He walked at 17 months. We continued until around age 3, at which point he was “caught up” with all of the typical milestones. He is six now and plays soccer, basketball and baseball. He is still more cautious on the playground and in and out of the car than the average classmate but no one but me would really notice that. He has recently started OT due to very slight difficulty keeping up with the handwriting demands at his school (he’s about six months younger than most of the boys in his class though so I think age plays a part in this). After our wonderful PT experience we are just of the mindset that we want to give him the best support we can and he LOVES his OT. It’s like a fun after school activity for him and gets his confidence up! All of my kids have low muscle tone and I think they will always have to work a little harder on these activities of daily kid living that come easily to most .... but overall my son is happy, active, and loving school and six year old boy life! </p> <p>We have friends who have done OT for food aversion (son could only tolerate purées even in preK) and had great success with that as well. </p> <p>I know it’s scary and stressful when you’re going through it but I believe in the power of great therapists! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ei-success-stories#post-2882092 Thu, 25 Apr 2019 15:09:48 +0000 Ms. RV 2882092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsADS: DS is in daycare. His PT actually goes there every other week to work with him with his teachers. Is your DS to move up when he turns 1 or at the beginning of the school year? Mine won't officially move until the end of August despite turning 1 June 1. The director says even in his current state, as long as the teachers didn't have a problem with him moving up, he would move up. I have spoken with both teachers and one is actually excited to "have the challenge" on a kiddo in EI.</p> <p>And I feel you on the almost 1 year old that doesn't seem like it except for size. DS is almost the same size as my 3.5 y/o. ETA: he is very slouched over, he is actually less than a foot shorter and 10lbs lighter.</p> <p>[attach=5855/19/pqj9cc.291x600.20190423_183035.jpg] </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ei-success-stories#post-2882082 Thu, 25 Apr 2019 14:11:14 +0000 tiramisu 2882082@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms. RV: Hang in there! I know its frustrating that it's a slow progress, but he will get there in his time. It's kind of like the NICU... at one point something kind of clicks and progress in many areas happens quickly. </p> <p> My son is about to age out of EI at the end of this month. He was a micro preemie and started EI when he came home from the NICU at around 4 months old. He was so so behind for a very long time. Even at his 1st birthday, he couldn't sit up on his own or chew or drink from a straw. He would gag, choke and spit out food frequently. Fast forward to now, and he's about to be 3 and he's doing pretty much everything an average 3 year old does...running, talking, feeding himself and drinking properly. He still has low muscle tone that we continue to work on, but he has come so far past what I ever could have imagined. I really think the EI services did wonders for him, so much so that even his vocabulary was larger than my older DDs (no delay issues) was at the same age. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ei-success-stories#post-2882068 Thu, 25 Apr 2019 12:32:56 +0000 MrsADS 2882068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chuckles well, I think at the meeting we will be determining whether they can move him with accommodation or not. I think probably not, right now - they are concerned he will get run over, among other things. Babies don't have to be walking to move but they need to be able to pull up to stand/hold themselves up, at least, and he is a long way from that. </p> <p>Language and feeding are also areas of concern - in the last few weeks he has started feeding himself soft finger foods which he loves, but he seems extremely sensitive to textures and has had problems with a lot of food that my son ate successfully at this age (cut up squished blueberries made him gag and vomit, soft pears, etc). His PT thinks it is likely related to the motor delay (oral motor delay as well) and possibly a sensory issue. He does well with puffs, cheerios, teething biscuits, stuff like sweet potato and butternut squash. </p> <p>Language - he is babbling (ma, ba, da), smiles, reaches for mommy and daddy, cries to be picked up, shows separation anxiety. But doesn't follow a command (hand me the toy), doesn't clap, doesn't point, doesn't wave. </p> <p>Overall he just sort of seems like a younger baby - doesn't seem like an almost 1 year old (other than size - he is tall). Like honestly, I can't even IMAGINE him in the toddler room. I worry a lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ei-success-stories#post-2882065 Thu, 25 Apr 2019 12:14:50 +0000 Chuckles 2882065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son is now 5 1/2 and went through early intervention for a few different issues. He had a lot of feeding difficulties early on, and he didn't learn to chew until he was almost 2. That part was extremely stressful, and it took trying out a few different therapists until we found someone who would address his oral motor issues instead of focusing on any sensory issues and encouraging him to play with his food. He still doesn't like certain textures and has a hard time biting through things like larger carrots. But once he learned to chew and manage food in his mouth, he was a different kid. But it did take almost a year of therapy. He also has low muscle tone. This is an ongoing thing and he still goes to PT. If you met him, you'd have no idea anything was wrong unless you were looking for it and watching him keeping up with his peers. But it's not holding him back and he's doing just fine in school and with friends. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ei-success-stories#post-2882064 Thu, 25 Apr 2019 12:11:20 +0000 Chuckles 2882064@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsADS: Why can't he move to the toddler room? Are they concerned about his safety because the other kids might walk on him? How does he do with eating and receptive language?If those things seem ok, then I would push for him to be kept with kids the same age. Maybe they can get some modified seating so that he can still participate in groups and at the table. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ei-success-stories#post-2882051 Thu, 25 Apr 2019 10:38:55 +0000 MrsADS 2882051@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Following... my son just turned 11 months and has been in private PT since 6 months for a gross motor delay due to hypotonia (presumed idiopathic). He was born at term and doesn't seem to have other delays (so far) so we are kind of scratching our heads. He goes twice a week. Our PT says he does not qualify for EI in our state because he needs to be 50% delayed - i.e. at 11 months, functioning at a 5.5 month old level. He is probably at a 7-8 month old level, maybe. </p> <p>He has made GREAT progress in PT, but is remaining on his own "curve" if that makes sense - he is progressing but not any closer to catching up. Still 3-4 months delayed. He is very floppy and wobbly due to low muscle tone. I worry, a lot. </p> <p>He has recently started semi-army crawling (pulling himself around by his arms when he's on his belly) and just last week got into a sitting position by himself - both huge for him. </p> <p>I worry because I feel like he's still so young that we don't really know what's going on or if there are also any other underlying issues (cognitive, developmental, etc). </p> <p>Are any of your EI/PT babies in daycare? He is in daycare 3-4 days per week (I work part time now). It's a great university lab school, but we're starting to run into issues because he's supposed to move to the toddler room at 12 months. Obviously he can't due to his delay. They want to accommodate him and help him but I am a little worried how that's going to go or if they may tell us at some point we have to find another place. :( We are meeting with the infant toddler teachers, the director, and a pediatric nurse practitioner who also works at the school in 2 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ei-success-stories#post-2881486 Fri, 19 Apr 2019 20:23:32 +0000 MrsBeluga 2881486@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms. RV: We called the school district and self referred our son for an EI evaluation because he was biting someone daily at daycare. The school district did their thing and roughly 2 months later we had an IEP for developmental delays. We emailed the IEP to our pediatrician and requested the private ST and OT referral, our pediatrician did the referrals without even seeing us because we already had the IEP. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ei-success-stories#post-2881471 Fri, 19 Apr 2019 16:36:35 +0000 jhd 2881471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms. RV: my oldest started therapy for eating in February. We have seen so much progress! He has been doing 1 hour sessions once a week with lots and lots of sensory play in addition to snack time where they have had him practice eating new foods. I’m seriously amazed at the progress. </p> <p>And both of my boys have been/are in EI and so was my brother who was a preemie. It has been a positive experience for everyone. </p> <p>I know it’s so hard not to compare. There’s a little boy in DS2’s music class with the same bday. I know better, but I still get sad when I hear him talking or see him reaching milestones first. But I have to remind myself that my guy has had a lot of challenges this first year and he will catch up. </p> <p>You’re doing an awesome job, mama. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ei-success-stories#post-2881468 Fri, 19 Apr 2019 16:22:15 +0000 Ms. RV 2881468@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gotkimchi: Not comparing is the hardest thing by far. </p> <p>@muffinsmuffins: Good point that I can't make want to crawl. He is such a chill baby. If he can't reach any toys, he just happily plays with his hands or the carpet so even if he didn't have hese hurdles he would probably be slow to crawl.</p> <p>@magnolia: Amazingly, his speech is right on track if not a little advanced. I think the food thing is more sensory than muscle related.</p> <p>@MrsBeluga: How did you go about getting private ST and OT? Was it through your pediatrician?</p> <p>@PinkElephant: That is such an awesome success story! I am due with #3 right when DS turns 18 months and I probably need to get used to the idea that him not walking before #3 comes is a definite possibility. But thank you so much for the gross motor success story! It gives me hope that he won't always just sit there.</p> <p>@Mrs. Tiger: So hoping that D's tube comes out i June! I can't imagine going for as long as you have with it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ei-success-stories#post-2881414 Fri, 19 Apr 2019 10:27:34 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 2881414@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>D (now 5yo) graduated from PT after 1yo and out of EI right before he turned 3. He was there for limb weakness (due to hospital stays) so severe he was initially diagnosed with CP and for feeding issues (he still has a g tube but hopefully it will come out in June). Happy to chat with you in more detail whenever you'd like, hang in there mama ❤ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ei-success-stories#post-2881229 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 21:48:49 +0000 PinkElephant 2881229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did not have the feeding issues, so this "success story" may be weak in comparison to some of the others here.... but DD3 was in EI from about 10 months old (when she was barely sitting, and definitely not crawling) for PT. She has low tone, and as a result, a gross motor delay. She only really started walking around 21-22 months, at which point we stopped the PT. She just turned 2.5 this week - until pretty recently she still tripped a TON, and she didn't start walking backwards/running until maybe 27 months or so. She still comes down stairs on her butt, and sometimes needs to use her hands to "crawl" up them rather than stepping - but boy, does she get around! It doesn't stop her from getting to the top of the tallest playground slides (eek!) She's currently working on her jumping milestone, and loves trying to copy her big sisters' dance moves - arabesque and "tap dancing" are favorites :)</p> <p>Her progress was slow, and often came in spurts...but we're so proud of her and the effort she and we have put into helping her get to this point has been so worth it. We found that with the mobility, her speech blossomed. She was never getting speech therapy, but was definitely somewhat behind. Now she's within the normal range for speech evaluation, too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ei-success-stories#post-2881214 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 20:59:29 +0000 MrsBeluga 2881214@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms. RV: My son has been in EI for about 6 months. In addition to EI from the school district he also does private ST and OT once a week. He has developmental delays (we suspect on the autism spectrum with sensory issues). Right now he is doing really well, and he wouldn’t be where he is without all of the EI therapy he has had. His OT appt is his favorite part of the week, if he could go every day he would (he is sensory seeking). It took about 4/5 months to see any progress, and then overnight things just started clicking for him. Good luck to you! Raising a kid with different abilities is hard, I used to feel alone but am building my community and talking with family/friends which has made everything easier for me. I’ve also been reading a ton of books, recommend borrowing them from the library before buying, and that has helped tremendously too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ei-success-stories#post-2881208 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 20:27:32 +0000 wrkbrk 2881208@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms. RV: Not yet crawling or pulling up is totally normal range. I know lots of babies that didn’t do either until after one! I’m sure he’ll learn to eat himself too as he learns to associate food with something pleasant. ❤️ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ei-success-stories#post-2881194 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 18:42:10 +0000 magnolia 2881194@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms. RV: my son has a very different story but early intervention and subsequent preschool special education has been an amazing journey for our family. I think in the moment and day by day it is hard to see the progress. But when I look back to when we started a year and a half ago he has come so far. I honesty feel overwhelmed with gratitude for all the therapists who have worked with him. </p> <p>We also supplemented EI with OT and speech via our insurance. </p> <p>It took me a longggggg time to accept that he was not going to meet milestones at the “normal” pace like other children (especially hard when we are with friends and family with kids the same age). He makes his own progress on his own timeline. </p> <p>The OT should definitely help with feeding. I wonder if a speech evaluation would be appropriate soon since they can also address oral motor? </p> <p>Sending you love , it sounds like you are doing an amazing job :heart: o </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ei-success-stories#post-2881192 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 18:33:23 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2881192@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our oldest son had major motor speech issues that were diagnosed as apraxia and we did our version of EI (we are in Canada so not the same) starting at 18 months. He was also slow to crawl, stand and walk but we didn’t see anyone about those things as it seemed to work out right when I started to panic ha.</p> <p>Anyway, for the speech stuff I truly thought he would never talk. He said the same sound ‘gah’ for every single thing for like a year after he started verbalizing. We worked with our public program, saw a private therapist, OT, PT, ENT, tube surgery, audiology, and on and on. Somehow, it started to click for him and he totally took off around age 3. We still have times where he plateaus and there’s no improvement for a while but then again it just takes off. Now he is 4.5 and thriving in school, has friends, and most people wouldn’t know he has a disorder. It’s still a work in progress but I never thought we would be here.</p> <p>So, keep at it and keep faith it will work out and you’re doing the best you can. I was frantic trying to ‘fix him’ as quick as I could once we knew it was a problem. I thought he wouldn’t function at school, never have friends, etc. But like most things, I had to realize I can’t make him talk...or eat or sleep or whatever. I had to let that go and then just try my best to help him and be his advocate. You’re doing the right thing :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ei-success-stories#post-2881182 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 17:16:47 +0000 gotkimchi 2881182@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sorry mama he’ll get better! It def is slow and can be frustrating. We’ve had our lo in speech since 30 months and she’s now 5. We did a lot of fighting with doctors about ear tubes, speech, etc etc because many were dismissive. It has been slow but we are seeing really progress. Someone told me it can take a year with a therapist to start seeing a difference. So just advocate for your self and your lo and be patient and don’t compare yourself to others. We also supplement her school speech with private and go 4 days per week and that consistency has helped. But just as a comparison for you my nephew is 12mo, literally just started crawling, doesn’t pull to stand and isn’t a great eater. There’s a wide range of normal but extra help especially if there are other circumstances can’t hurt! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ei-success-stories#post-2881181 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 17:05:19 +0000 Ms. RV 2881181@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I need a morale boost. DS is in early intervention physical therapy and is getting evaluated in a couple of weeks for occupational therapy. He is 10.5 months can but won't roll, can't crawl, doesn't pull to stand. Sits independently pretty well. As far as OT goes he doesn't try to feed himself and gags on anything he has to chew. All of this stems from having a feeding tube in place until 8.5 months old. Once he was cleared to take things by mouth at 5.5 months, he was outgrowing his g-tubes as fast as we could get appointments to get him measured for a new one. So he basically spent three months with some degree of abdominal pain stiffness.</p> <p>I just need to tell me that my little guy isn't always going to just sit there and be fed. He is making slow progress but it is so slow.</p> <p>Anyone have EI success stories? </p>