The meeting that I was dreading

This week I took Riley for a checkup with the neuro developmental pediatrician.  We had to do this to see if she was going to be able to attend preschool in the fall.  Her current teachers have no trouble with her - we have plenty at home, but the principal of the school, a wonderful woman who I greatly admire, requested that I have her seen and have the doctor write his recommendations.

Whoa, that was a long sentence, but I think that you get the idea.

We drove to the therapy building, and she looked out the window with interest.  She didn't remember our thrice weekly visits, she didn't remember the office at all.  I guess that's good?   She was very comfortable with the testing, although timid and hesitant at first.  She still struggles with dealing with new people.  She stacked small blocks, demonstrated the concepts of "above", "below", "In front of" and "behind".  She tossed a ball, she caught a ball, stood on one foot and demonstrated her pincer grasp with both hands.  She drew a line, cut out a square drawn on paper, identified fish and dogs and I don't know what all else. 

I spent most of my time talking with the doctor, answering his questions and telling him our experiences. I told him that every day, we do fine motor skills - either cutting, coloring, play doh or sticker work, stringing beads or mushing gooey junk - gross motor skills and social skill work.  She plays with sand every day, an area of ginormous trouble at the start of the sessions.  We work on mouth skills - blowing bubbles and speaking nonsense words and other stuff. 

At the end, his findings were such:

She's 50 months old.  She scored 52 months and ABOVE for EACH and EVERY category. 

When we first had a diagnosis, she was severely delayed in six of the eight categories, and moderately delayed in the other two - don't ask me which ones, I'd have to pull her file and it's upstairs and I'm tired.  I do remember those numbers.  I also remember that when I took her, last year, to the school system, she was considered moderately delayed in those same categories.  She's caught up, and in fact, SURPASSED, where she should be. 

He commented on her concentration, her attention to detail, and the fact that she's come further than he thought she would.  He said it thrilled him to see that she's made such awesome progress, and he's happy to recommend that she attend preschool - in fact, he's certain she'll flourish. 

I can't tell you how much this relieves me.

________________________

After much thought, I've decided to use this as my entry into The Parent Bloggers Network blog Blast on Bragging about your child's strengths.

This Blog blast is in conjunction with author Jenifer Fox's  new book called Your Child's Strengths.  Because, really, my kids are all amazing and wonderful and I could brag about them for hours, but this is it for me today.  Obviously.

Comments

[Brandy]

What a fabulous blessing! I'm thrilled for you.

[Melessa]

I am a fairly silent, but pretty regular reader here. I was afraid to click through read this post, but I am SO GLAD that I did. Go RILEY and GO MOM!!

[Shannon]

Hurray! Sounds like she'll enjoy it!

[Brandi]

That's wonderful!!

[kalisah]

I give all props to you girlfriend - your perserverence and dedication and unconditional love made this happen. I am so proud of what you & Riley have accomplished!

[FishyGirl]

Wheeee! Way to go, Riley! And good for you, Carmen - you did this. Awesome, my friend.

[Amy]

That was enough to make me smile tonight! What a great blessing!

[Anna]

Fabulous news!

[Owlhaven]

Awesome!!!! great job mom!

Mary

[amy]

Beautiful. All of your and her hard work has really made a huge difference.

[Annika]

Best news EVER!

[Liz in Seattle]

I have tears in my eyes. Go Riley! (pretending to be Riley at age 30): "Thanks, Mom...you gave me my life back!"

[Karen M]

Yay Riley! I'm so proud of you, and we're not even related. Good job Carmen. All of your efforts have shown it's fruit.

[Donna]

That is a relief indeed! I bet it lifted a huge weight off your shoulders, too.

Wonderful news!

[LeeAnn]

Wonderful news and it must be nice to know that all the work you both have done worked.

PS....when I say how old Riley is, I thought wow, that kid is old. Let's just say that 50 is not my favorite number and 52 is too real for me! LOL

[Headless Mom]

'Meeting I was Dreading"---HA! What a triumph for you and Riley! Yippee!!!

[Keri]

Carmen - what great news & what a great success for Riley & all the hard work.

[beth]

That's wonderful!!! And a pat on the back to both of you for all your hard work!!

[Marie]

WAY TO GO RILEY !! CONGRATS TO MOM FOR ALL THE HARDWORK !

[J from Ireland]

Thats great news and well done to you for being a great mother!

[Stacy]

I so hope that you take the time to stop, step inside your head and be really proud of yourself for the commitment and hard work you've put in to get her there.

Congratulations to all of you. :)

[jen]

Oh hon, that is fantastic! That gives me such hope that the OT we're doing with A will work! Congrats to you and Riley!

[Stephanie C.]

That is just wonderful! Congrats to the both of you.

[Rachel]

What a wonderful blessing. That's awesome! A true testament to you and to her!!

[Amanda M]

What an accomplishment!! As a mother of a child with SID and fine and gross motor delays I can appreciate how much work you have done. Be proud of yourself and continue to nuture your darling. It is such a hard road and to know you are making progress is the best.