Leaps and Bounds

Maddy at her birthday last year.

As Maddy's 4th birthday approaches in less than a week, I've been thinking about where Maddy was at development-wise last year. Even in the last few weeks, Maddy has seemed to advance leaps and bounds from where she was.

She has been interacting more and more with other children. Prior to this, Maddy has preferred to play on her own. It had me thinking that she might be on the Autistic Spectrum (even though dr.'s told me she wasn't). Lately however, she's been trying to hold hands with every kid she comes across. (Super cute!) She's also been actually trying to play with her cousins. Makes me teary-eyed just thinking about it. 

Maddy's play has been going well in other areas as well. She's started to become interested in dress-up (for short periods of time). She's also been playing with more and more toys as they are intended. The other night, she put the Little People horse in its barn and was playing with the doors that make the horse sounds. She did the same with the cow. (Another tear-filled moment for me on that one.) 

Maddy still has a long ways to go with many things. Talking and/or communicating using signs is still an issue. Feeding herself is still a challenge (with utensils). Sleeping at night is always a struggle. But more and more, it feels like the advancements she is making come faster. I am still hopeful Maddy can overcome many of these challenges. She is only just turning 4 after all. I am also just as certain that Maddy does have a specific disorder or syndrome, we just don't know what it is yet. 

Annual IEP Meeting

*Image Source*

We had Maddy's annual IEP (Indidudual Education Plan for those that don't know what that means) at school the other day. I will admit my feelings on these are mixed. I mentioned to my husband the other day that I feel like I don't even know what she does at school most of the time. Maddy can't tell us what she did that day ( even though I always ask her.) Admittedly, I don't call and talk to the teachers on a regular basis, so some of the fault lays with me.

That being said, the meeting went really well. We had some good feedback on how Maddy is progressing, as well as some honest discussion on things that need to be worked on. Maddy's speech pathologist had notes from many of their sessions. Those were huge for me. Reading over those little notes was a great way to stop and actually look at how far Maddy has progressed so far this year. For example, being able to climb the stairs. At the beginning of the year, Maddy couldn't walk up or down stairs just holding onto someone's hand. She was still crawling up and scooting down. Now Maddy is practically an expert at walking up and down the stairs with one hand on the railing and an adult holding the other hand.

The point is there has been progress. I get caught up sometimes wishing there was more progress, that it would be faster. But Maddy's always marched to the tune of her own drummer. She will not be rushed if she's not ready for something. I wish I could say the same! :)

I do feel the plan this year is good for Maddy. She is already going to ECSE (early childhood special education) classes twice a week for two hours. They are recommending she go to pre-school (or Discovery Time) two other days a week. That means she'll be going to school four days a week. I think that Discovery Time will hopefully help her socialize a bit better with other kids. That's already been seeming to get better and better lately. Time will only tell.