Today kinda sucks....

And I wanna say upfront that I am venting but yet I feel badly doing so because I know so many have children with issues much larger and deeper then Noah's and I almost feel no right to complain, but I feel like a freaking failure today, like I failed my son...in some ways with his delays.

And some of his issues make no sense...and its just so much work for my brain to understand what he needs, and where to advocate...nothings clear cut. UGH

Our CPSE meeting is coming up and so I got the evals today. Most was what I expected.

One thing that made me shake my head was that his Occupational therapist wrote that his fine motor skills have decreased....how does that happen? on his standardized test he scored in <the 1st percentile. He scored higher before? And yet some of his other Fine motor skills are in the average range and she wrote she cannot find a correlation to explain the huge gap.

And she wrote how his skill set seems to decrease after the weekend/vacation. Which I of course read as " mom doesnt keep up the work at home" ....Because the speech therapist said the SAME thing.

I feel like its my fault the progress is so slow : (

Theres more, but its all the same idea in my head...I'm confused as far as WHAT can help him ....
I am scatter brained...justw anted to get that out. Thanks!

Re: Today kinda sucks....

It's pretty common for children to regress after vacations or weekends. That has nothing to do with you working or not working with him.

He gets services because the needs it. The weekend and vacation is more "relaxed".

It's the same as typical children after 2 months Summer vacation.

I ask for suggestions from his therapists on what you can do on your own.

I personally do not do the same they do. I feel EJ's has never repeatitive goals with school and home therapies. So I work his skill through "fun" activities. Horseback riding (for balance, vastibular input, core strength), he is starting swimming this week (sensory issues).

Message edited 2/15/2011 8:32:40 PM.

Re: Today kinda sucks....

"One thing that made me shake my head was that his Occupational therapist wrote that his fine motor skills have decreased....how does that happen?"


As he gets older he is expected to do more... That would be my guess anyway.


"And she wrote how his skill set seems to decrease after the weekend/vacation. Which I of course read as " mom doesn't keep up the work at home" ....Because the speech therapist said the SAME thing."


They are probably looking to show regression so he can get summer services. Again, just my guess. You should ask them though.


"Theres more, but its all the same idea in my head...I'm confused as far as WHAT can help him ...."


Ask them, they should be able to give you a list of things you can do with him.

I know clay/play-doh is good for fine motor. You can cover his action figures or small toys in it, and he can remove it.

Have him put beads through thread... Maybe like a friendship bracelet kit, edible necklace kit. Also Light bright.

Re: Today kinda sucks....

THANK YOU for the suggestions! They are perfect! And yes your right with your comments, 100%, thats what my rational mind thought and said ( about the summer too) but then in the back of my mind I cannot erase that failure feeling completly.....but I need to, this isisnt about me...

THANK you both!

Re: Today kinda sucks....

It's not your fault I try to do what I can with TJ at home (I ask the therapists to give me worksheets or activities as homework) but I'm not a therapist so I can only do so much.

The reason for the lower score on the OT eval could be because he is being tested at an older age level now. The skills and expectations for the 4yr. age group are much higher than the 3yr. age group, KWIM?

And I would use the regression in skills over the weekends and breaks to your advantage in getting summer services.

Re: Today kinda sucks....

Re: Today kinda sucks....

Alex Toys at Target has a lace up toy


Check out those catalogs

Beyond Play
Lakeshore Learning

I don't always buy from them because they are $$$ and you can find them cheaper on other sites if you do searches.

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Re: Today kinda sucks....

Re: Today kinda sucks....

I usually see a lot of lacing toys at Marshalls believe it or not. You can try there too.

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TherapyShoppe.com has some great products and great ideas for proucts that you may be able to substitute at home. They have these great 'rock crayons'. They are crayons that are shaped like little pebbles that fit perfectly in little kids hands and help them with grip. They also have all different consistency therapy putty's and they aren't that expensive. We use them at work all the time and the kids love it and it helps alot with fine motor. The website has a whole section for Fine Motor Strength things. HTH.

Re: Today kinda sucks....

Just as Mommy2boys said In order to be considered for summer services you have to document that there is regression over weekends and vacations. and the older the child gets there might be more things they have to do in that age range. I would speak to the OT and discuss your concerns. I don't believe it is in anyway a reflection on you.

Re: Today kinda sucks....

I THANK YOU for this post! I truly do!
I got DS' reports yesterday and was almost in tears with his OT report and scores.
Totally felt that *I* should be doing more at home, that *I* don't do enough, etc.

We had his conference this morning and there were so many more positives then negatives, that I actually feel better!

I do thank you for this post and all the suggestions. Im bookmarking it and still plan on working with him at home doing "fun" activities!