This week Quinn started the process of being evaluated for special services by the board of education. She is turning 3 next month and during this “transition” out of the State’s Early Intervention Program (Babies Can’t Wait) she is being evaluated by the county for where she is developmentally to see what services they will provide for her.

She spent about an hour with a couple of different evaluators for hearing, then cognitive, speech, language, gross motor and fine motor, and social/self help (yes, that’s a category, of which I could use some assistance in). Much to the shock of my Inner Hope Addict, Quinn tested low in almost every area of development during this first round. In one week, we’ll go back for the big evaluation, with multiple therapists for several disciplines. It will probably take about 2 hours. Then a month later (without Quinn in tow) I’ll go to hear about what services they believe she needs.

Since Gage started Kindergarten I’m ever more aware that he will spend the year trying to catch up. I’m just starting the process of making sure his IEP (Individualized Education Plan) is in order and being implemented (the school hasn’t been in touch yet – what’s up with that?), so we’ll see how that goes. Even though I marvel at the kids’ progress and am grateful and appreciate each and every milestone they achieve, I’m still sad they have to struggle to reach them.

It doesn’t matter if you expect it or not. It still always sounds bad to hear your child is behind developmentally.

It’s their job, these people with the bad talk. Most of them mean well. But I honestly think they forget, even though they have said these things hundreds of times to other parents of challenged kids, this is the first time that most of us are hearing it about this child. Our baby. And even as Hope sits there, nodding politely, she’s ready to let her Inner Defensive Mom out at a moments notice.