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I don't personally (no LO yet), but I have heard stories on here and IRL of some AMAZING changes that come about with EI. Please don't feel like you have failed him - because you haven't! Focus on the fact that you are doing everything that you can right now, and take it one day at a time.

We are having an evaluation next Wed. so I don't have experience with my own LO yet, but my youngest brother was a preemie & needed lots of therapy. All of the people he worked with were wonderful and he made lots of progress. Please don't feel like you have failed. Some kids just need a little extra help and it's much better for your son to get that help as early as possible.

@stargal: I felt the same way when R was recommended for EI for PT. I felt like I failed her. But PT has been so amazing for her that I'm so glad we took that leap of faith and called EI when we were told to. She has come so far in almost 5 months.

Oh and I want to add that it's way too early to know if this will have long term affects at all so try not to worry. I have the same worries you mentioned but then I see how loving and fun and sweet my boy is (and P, my god that kid is a love bug) and I worry less and less. It may just be a phase our kids grow out of or it may be something we work through with them. My MIL beautifully pointed out to me that she used o constantly worry about both of her children and she wishes she had a crystal ball to tell her that everything would be just fine and dandy.

I keep thinking of how great Olive from the Bees are doing so I know EI is a great service to have and utilize. P will do great. You did not fail him. Some kids just need extra TLC. hugs mama!

We just had our initial evaluation and will be starting therapy for speech soon. we are in the same situation.

I started the process of getting LO an EI evaluation yesterday. I know she will qualify for speech and even with how much I'm trying to prepare myself, I'm sure I will cry when I officially hear the news. I try to focus on the fact that it's great that she will be getting help, but I can't stop feeling the guilt as well.

We have been doing EI for a little more than a month for both physical therapy and feeding therapy (with a speech therapist).

As a special ed teacher, I knew that there probably wasn't anything we could have done to prevent our LO's issues, and I did okay during the evaluation, especially because I've been through so many of them with my students. But then the evaluator said, "And S needs to be 20% delayed to qualify for therapy and he is 40% delayed." (which, who knows where those numbers even come from, but whatever) And I definitely got a little teary thinking of how hard he will have to work to accomplish goals that come easily to most kids.

PT has been going so well, and he's doing a lot more things now than he was a few weeks ago. Our therapist is encouraging and knowledgeable. Feeding therapy hasn't been going as well, and we are doing a new consultation with a different therapist tomorrow. Don't be afraid to ask questions and switch therapists if you feel like he or she isn't a good fit.

Think about it like, you didn't fail or do something wrong. You're actually doing something right by getting your kid the support he needs now so that he won't have challenges later on, when it gets harder to help things.

@stargal: Do you mind sharing how P is doing these days? Has the EI been helpful? Owen just turned 2 yesterday and was referred for a speech eval with our birth to 3 early intervention program today at his 2 year appt. His ped said by 2 he should have more words that we can count (he has maybe 15) and be stringing multiple words together (he is not). I remembered your post and I'm feeling a lot of the same emotions that you were. Feel free to wall me if you don't want to share publicly!

@stargal: thank you so much, you've put my mind at ease. I'm very happy to hear how well P is doing, that gives me so much hope!