Annual IFSP review

Yesterday we had all 4 of Phoenix's therapists and his support coordinator out for his annual review.  Over the past month each therapist did testing in there speciality to see if he would still need EI.  And of course we still qualify.  The area that he fell behind on the most was his gross motor which would include his mobility, not a surprise.  He fell right in his age group for cognitive skills, and behavior.  We decided to up his speech to every week now and to stop with the behavior specialist.  Our new goals for the next year will be to include more exercises in speech development, eating habits, and of course walking.  All his therapists were happy with how far he has come and while he still falls behind on some things he has his own learning curve and is getting there.  Right now the most difficult and frustrating thing we are facing is his eating.  He still has a sensitivity to textures and trying new things.  His OT has us right now dividing his food into 3 groups on his plate, we have an ok food like chicken nuggets or a cereal bar, a veggie or "icky" food and a reward food like a cookie.  He takes his food that he likes, then we are to try the second category.  With that we are working on green beans, getting him to first hold them without throwing them off his tray, bringing them to his mouth for a kiss or feed me.  The last step is for him to put it in his mouth, even if he spits it out we are to encourage him and not scold him.  Then he takes a bite of his reward food, rinse and repeat.  Its a slow process and it takes alot of patience but I think it will work. 

We had to move his Botox appointment back now to the first of February.  He got an ear infection last week and they like him to be off antibiotics for 2 weeks before being put under.  Next month being January he gets another MRI followed by a follow up appointment with his neurologist.  So the next two months are going to be nerve racking on us and alot of long trips to the specialists.

Other then all that we are having a good December.  Tomorrow my mom is coming over to make sand tarts, then Sunday I have a family dinner.  Before you know it, its Christmas then New Years.  Time's a flying by.