Physical Therapy Evaluation

Being a special education teacher was my passion for ten years. I lived and breathed Special Ed paperwork, law, and protocol. I would run meetings, console parents, and do everything in my power to help children to be successful in the classroom. Today I experienced the other side of special education where I was the parent at a meeting. Dylan had his physical therapy evaluation and I couldn't help but giggle when the PT handed me my parent rights. It is an ongoing joke amongst the Special Ed community about how many parent rights booklets we have to hand out and then the amount of signatures required showing that we gave the booklet to the parent. It can be a little ridiculous and redundant needless to say. The purpose of the evaluation was to find out if Dylan qualified for special education services. She completed all kinds of tests and activities to see if Dylan was able to turn his neck to the right. My little over achiever passed with flying colors! For the past few weeks, we have been stretching and exercising his neck. The physical therapist was extremely impressed with the progress Dylan made. He even rolled over for the first time when she put him on his tummy. That's my boy! When the development specialist and physical therapist completed all of their tests, it was decided that Dylan could qualify for services, but it may not be necessary to have in-home visits. Instead of him seeing the therapist twice a month, we all agreed that a monthly phone call would meet the needs of my little man. During those calls she will answer any questions or concerns that I might have, and not just about Dylan. She is even going to help me with potty training Mason, even though I am convinced he will be in a diaper on his wedding day! She wrote up the baby version of an IEP, which is called an IFSP, and explained the goals that he will work on. Mainly we want him to turn his head to the right during play time, tummy time, and when he is on his back. Being the parent at a Special Ed meeting made me feel vulnerable because I don't want to believe that my child is struggling, but it was a positive eye-opening experience. Who knows if I will ever get back into teaching, but if I do, it will now be a completely different experience when I run a special education meeting. 

Way to go Dylan!!!