So sad...End of EI and a Question

I'm getting so sad DS is aging out of EI. We've had almost all the therapists for 3 years (since he was 3-4 mos old) and they've become like family. We said goodbye (or see you soon) to one of them today. The rest we will I'm sure have tear-filled goodbyes beginning of next week.

So much is changing for DS. How has your LO dealt with this transition? Is it really harder for the parents than the kids??

Re: So sad...End of EI and a Question

Out of all of DS' therapists, we said "bye" to one of his classroom teachers and his OT.
Saying "bye" to one of his classroom teachers was a bit hard.
We said "Bye" to one his PT today (she's been with us since summer of 2008), but, no tears, because she's now DDs therapist/PT.
On Tues (the 31st), we say "bye" to his other classroom teacher and she also does the home services. This one is going to be TOUGH! I'm so not ready!!! She's even telling me "I don't know how Im gonna do it". Breaks my heart.
DS will see them in the halls at school, but, its just not the same.

Re: So sad...End of EI and a Question

Ariel went through EI and Preschool through the same school. So although she left her teachers I was still able to see them...

It was really hard to say goodbye to the whole place when she graduated from Preschool...

We were with them from the time she was 2 1/2 months old!

It was definitely a harder transition for me than it was for her. Kids live so much in the here and now. They adjust to the changes rather quickly...

Re: So sad...End of EI and a Question

awwwww...Our last week is this and next week and I'm feelign it too. Thankfully they have become like family and I know we will stay close but I cant imagien our SLP not coming over 2-3 times a day. Its so sad : (

I dont know how Noah will handle it. HE asks for them all the time.

I hate this growing up stuff.

Re: So sad...End of EI and a Question

We said goodbye to DS' PT yesterday. It was hard. And she was the newest on the team. But she was so amazing!

It was so odd sayng "bye". She bought DS a great sticker book.

I am so over EI and the adapting to everyone personality, schedule, etc... But it's really bitter sweet. We have had some of DS' therapists for over 1.5 years in my house. All of them coming multiple times per weeks.

It's going to be so empty in 2 weeks.

No DS and no therapists. All at once!

HUGE adjustement for both DS and I. Luckily I am already lining up more work for me. I will stirr crazy without DS. I am not used to not having anyone at home with me.

I am sure DS cannot remember before his life without therapies. It's going to be so new for both of us.


I am hoping the transition to school will go smooth. But I think it might be hard on him. He is going to a FT program. Other kids with him for HOURS. No mommy, no TV break. We are so "relax" at home.

Message edited 8/26/2010 7:36:59 AM.

Re: So sad...End of EI and a Question

i am so sad too and stressed about getting a new team who don't know him. i also hate that i will not have as much input into his therapy. i hate change but i'm hoping my ds will do better than me. we just keep talking about things and i'm rereading all of our books about prek.

Re: So sad...End of EI and a Question

Posted by LoveBeingMrsT

i am so sad too and stressed about getting a new team who don't know him. i also hate that i will not have as much input into his therapy. i hate change but i'm hoping my ds will do better than me. we just keep talking about things and i'm rereading all of our books about prek.

Re: So sad...End of EI and a Question

Posted by LoveBeingMrsT

i am so sad too and stressed about getting a new team who don't know him. i also hate that i will not have as much input into his therapy. i hate change but i'm hoping my ds will do better than me. we just keep talking about things and i'm rereading all of our books about prek.

Re: So sad...End of EI and a Question

To make some of you feel a little better....

DS started in a half day preschool program before he was 2 1/2. We were nervous about it because it also included him riding the bus since I work full time. The bus picks him up at daycare, brings him to school and then brings him back to daycare. We were already used to him getting therapy without us there (he was getting it at daycare) but he wasn't talking yet, so he wouldn't be able to tell them his name or anything if he went missing.

Everything went smoothly. He loves riding the bus and loves school. He will be in a full day program this fall and I feel like he may have a slight advantage, since he knows the routine now, it's just a longer day. I definitely think it's harder on us. The teachers also told us when we were looking at full day programs that most of the kids have some trouble transitioning, but they are used to handling that. I think the advantage to having the additional services at school (speech, PT, OT) is that the day is not so long for DS, and the team working with him are all in the same building, so they will be in more regular communication than the therapists we have at home and at daycare.

One thing I would recommend if you haven't done it already is to request a matron for the bus. If I remember correctly, you have to get a form signed by your ped's office. This was something that gave me peace of mind - to know he had another adult on the bus looking out for him.

Re: So sad...End of EI and a Question

Thanks for sharing everyone. All of this stuff is unchartered territory for me, so I learn as I go. So thanks for the help!

We only have 2 more therapists to say goodbye to. I feel a little better now, especially knowing that we will definitely KIT with some of them. I also feel better about moving forward now. His EI 1/2 day teacher & his favorite assistant are moving up with him for full day and at school I know for sure that he will have the same PT & I'll be driving him to & from school. But once he does go on the bus, I will definitely request a matron- I didn't know you could do that.

Re: So sad...End of EI and a Question

Sorry if I am hijacking the thread, but wanted to let people know about this too....

If your DC is starting a pre-school program and is not taking a bus, you are entitled to some $$ reimbursing you for driving them instead of using the bus. I don't know if they always tell parents this, and I think you request the reimbursement from the county, since they are the ones responsible for the busing.

Re: So sad...End of EI and a Question

Our SD is in a huge mess right now. They did not give us any paperwork for the matron for the bus.

Yes, it's a separate piece of paper and yes it does need to be signed by the PED.

And yes, you can get reimbursed if you drive DC yourself.

It was so nice to meet Ethan this Saturday. He is so cute!!!!