Early Intervention

So what do we do about Morgan's diagnosis? Help her anyway we can. 

Following doctors' orders and medical advice was just the beginning. We would also need more help. A lot more help. And this help came in the form of Early Intervention Services. When Morgan was released from the hospital, the Physical Therapist (PT) who was assigned to her recommended and paved the way for us with the Baby Watch Early Intervention Program to help her along. 

Here's a little about what they do.

The program provides early identification and developmental services for families of infants and toddlers, ages birth to three.


Some of the services offered include:

• A full assessment of a child's current health and development status.
• Service coordination among providers, programs and agencies.
• Strategies to build on family concerns, priorities, & resources.
• Developmental services: occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech language therapy, etc.

    
These services are provided through the coordinated effort of parents, community agencies, and a variety of professionals.

Morgan started out with PT, and soon as her vision issues were identified, she started receiving Vision Therapy as well.

I'm so grateful for Julie, her PT, and Sandra, her Vision Specialist. I know I would not be able to handle all this without them. Their knowledge goes way beyond anything I know or have access to, and they've taught me so much, giving me the confidence to work with Morgan daily. And any time that Morgan throws me a curve ball, they are there to help figure it out.

Danny and I feel powerless against her diagnosis. That's the truth. Completely powerless. There is simply nothing we can do about it. There is no cure.

But finding ways to help her is empowering. Little things like using ear plugs in busy and loud places

to help keep her calm. Making sure her toys are bright colors so she can easily see them. Learning how she sees and what makes her tick helps her and us deal with the day-to-day. Sometimes it takes some creative problem solving but it's always exciting to see our efforts make a difference for her.

It really is just one small--and sometimes slow--step at a time for her. But that's okay. It's okay because I know that we are doing all we can for her. That we won't be five years down the road wondering what if. What if we tried this or that. Nope. I'm pretty sure we are doing everything we can for her.

And the rest is up to Morgan.

For more information on Early Intervention in Utah, visit http://www.utahbabywatch.org