Good Bye EI, Hello Preschool

Today marks the official end to Early Intervention; our life of 2 1/2 years, because birthday number 3 is quickly closing in. We have been profoundly fortunate to have had all of Oia's therapies provided within our home (aside from hippo of course) since Oia's diagnosis at 7 months old. EI has kept us above water and provided crucial support during some of our most difficult times. Our schedule of 4 PT, OT, and ST sessions combined in a week is now over but we're onto a new and better chapter called PRESCHOOL.

I had an IEP meeting with Oia's school on Wednesday. The IEP team (Oia's teacher and all three of her new therapists) have been easy to work with and have made the transition into preschool a seamless one. The teacher that we met back in May while we observed the class during school hours is not the teacher there now. My first meeting of the new teacher was on Wednesday and my gut told me this teacher is going to be a good fit for us. I am comforted to know that not only does Oia's new teacher have many years of experience but she too has a daughter with special needs. To have someone understand the boat you're in makes all the difference in the world because to really know this life is to live it.

The safety concerns that I raised after my May observation of the classroom were addressed right away. I shared again through a voice that shook that I had to be absolutely certain that my daughter who lives in a wobbly, often unpredictable world would be as safe as she could possibly be while navigating around her classroom. I was informed that the room had been worked on and I was invited to take a look for myself once we concluded the meeting.

This time, the classroom was like a breath of fresh air. It was neater, brighter, more organized, and overall much safer. It looked like a classroom should look.

Oia will attend preschool on Mondays and Thursdays and will stay through lunch. Monday, the 16th will be her first day. She'll receive OT and PT in some form both days and ST will be provided as well. In addition to the services she'll receive at school, we will continue to see our current PT but sessions will now be held at the therapy center. Oia's PT is too good to let go and she will continue to do CME with Oia. Hippotherapy will resume after Labor Day.

So, Good Bye Early Intervention; thanks for being our life saver. Hello Preschool; take good care of our little girl.