School

I know it's been nearly two years since we have posted, but changes are a comin' and we wanted to share them with you.  Next week, Kelson will turn 3.  I know, your first reaction is "3?  When did that happen?".  My answer?  We've met another goal.  Keeping our kids fed, safe, and alive in general is a challenge.  If he doesn't grow up, the problems are bigger than if he does.

Turning 3 is a huge landmark in a developmentally delayed child.  Some of you may have only heard of Early Intervention through a recent petition that has been floating around facebook.  Some of you may have never heard of it.  We can honestly say that Early Intervention has changed Kelson's life in huge ways.  For most of his 3 years of life he has seen a variety of therapists.  Speech and Language, Auditory Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy, Occupational and Developmental.  These people have been in and out of our house weekly and monthly since we brought Kelson home.  This is a service offered by the State of Illinois to help children with delays catch up.  The goal is to catch them up with their peers before they reach school age.  On the day before his 3rd birthday, that will be over.

I remember setting goals at Kelson's original EI meeting in September of 2012.  Our goal was that he could hear well enough to stay safe (respond if we yelled) and that he could move 3 feet in any direction to play with other children.  We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into, but he met those goals and we set more.  Our goals now are that he can balance on one foot, use a spoon and fork (without spilling every) and use 3-4 word sentences.  Things that most of his peers perfected months earlier.

On a child's 3rd birthday they are no longer eligible for Early Intervention and the local school district takes over his services.  We have been simultaneously anticipating and fearing this day coming for a long time.  Thankfully, Kelson's team has been amazing.  They've worked with us and for us for months now, helping us to make the decision easier.  Last Tuesday we had a meeting with Kelson's current therapists, future therapists, potential teachers, program directors, principals, psychologists, social workers and I'm not sure who else was there.  The room was full, and we made a decision.

Kelson will start school at Metcalf in their Listening and Spoken Language program on April 27.  He will be in a classroom with other children who are hearing impaired and will be able to receive more services than what was realistic for our local school district to offer.  Our current goal is to get him caught up and back to Le Roy as soon as possible.  We decided that Trever would take him to school but he will be riding the bus home in the afternoon.  We are tickled to death that his little buddy from play group will also be in his class!

This was a decision we had been working toward for several months and we are glad the process is over.  As much as we hate to change from the comfort of Early Intervention, we are excited to get him started in school where we know he will thrive!