First Steps Review

Tonight, despite the tornado warnings and storms, we were able to hold Wade's IFSP review meeting (even if most of it was in the basement). We reviewed his goals made in February and discussed his progress since the last meeting. A few things were also updated as he is growing up and some of his routines have changed. 

A few things to be proud of:

• Wade has completely closed the gap with physical therapy and he's right on target for physical development for a 20 month old. Therefore, he has been discharged from PT (we will definitely miss his therapists, but luckily we're all neighbors!). Although he should continue to work on jumping and throwing/catching/kicking ball skills, there is no need for PT anymore.
• Of the 12 goals that were set in February, Wade accomplished 9 of them within 7 months! That’s 75% accomplished and let me tell you--his mommy and daddy are so proud!!

What to keep working on:

• He will continue to receive speech therapy and occupational therapy once a week. We will also keep our nutritionist consultations for advice/weight checks.
• His speech goal is to say more sounds/words and continuing to sign for communication.
• His feeding goal is to be completely weaned off the bottle by the time the baby comes (January). He eats solid foods and drinks juice from a sippy cup just fine, but still wants the bottle while being held for comfort. I haven’t been very firm in weaning him because I know how important it is for him to consume those calories. However, it’s time for him to be off the bottle!
• His OT goal is to strengthen core muscles, shoulder girdle, and fine motor skills, including the pincer grasp. OT will also help encourage the PT skills that he should continue working on (jumping and ball skills).

Kicking it Up a Notch

With the help of therapy, Wade is pretty much amazing for improving his skills in walking (even walking backwards) and squatting. He has also started to show more interest in half-tall kneeling and he has even went back in his development to master crawling and tummy time (the correct way)!


However, he is still low tone (especially in his stomach) and could be walking with better alignment. So, in order to correct these problems, the First Steps Program has ordered some therapy tools to assist him.


First, to correct his alignment, they ordered shoe inserts to help stabilize his feet and prevent him from walking on the insides of his feet. They hide inside his normal tennis shoes and we didn't have to buy any special shoes! Wade is a champ with the inserts because he has never complained or lost his balance with them.


In addition to the shoe inserts, Wade also has TheraTogs that he wears for 30 minutes a day. The TheraTogs are a stretchy outfit that is worn tight to the body so that it increases body awareness and helps improve Wade's tone and posture. Unfortunately, Wade doesn't like the TheraTogs as much as his shoe inserts. He is very whiny when wearing them so I usually try to let him play outside so he isn't focused on the unpleasantness of wearing the TheraTogs.

W unhappy about wearing his TheraTogs.

Services for Little Guy

Yesterday was a 6-month review for Wade's IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) with Missouri First Steps. We all met at our house and I was surprised that everyone showed up! We discussed how Wade met his goals written in his previous plan and we updated the plan to include new goals, such as correcting alignment with walking/standing, saying simple words, using common signs, gaining strength in his core, eating a variety of foods, and keeping up with a high-calorie diet in order to grow. We increased services and added a new one, so now Wade has the following services:

• Speech Therapy--once a week for 60 minutes
• Occupational Therapy--once a week for 60 minutes
• Physical Therapy--once a week for 60 minutes
• Nutritional Consultation--once a week for 30 minutes

I'm going to be busy keeping up with all of his therapy appointments, but luckily the sessions take place in the home. 

Also, I called the intake coordinator today at the Sikeston Regional Office (Division of Developmental Disabilities) and Wade automatically can receive services because he's already in the First Steps Program. The Sikeston Regional Office sets me up with a caseworker to be able to find resources, fill out applications/paperwork for various services/programs, and get other services for Wade that First Steps doesn't offer. He'll receive this until he's five years old!