Nurse Evaluation

I wasn't sure how the school was going to test Maggie for vision and hearing, considering the fact that she doesn't totally understand how to follow directions from strangers or follow multi-step procedures. It was a waste of time, but something the school needed to do to "check it off" their list of things to do.

Here's a picture of Maggie. They pushed buttons to have sound come out of each side of the headset. Then they expected Maggie to raise her hand when she heard the noise. That didn't happen, even though I was doing all I could to help. Maggie just doesn't always perform in unfamiliar situations. So, they have asked me to make sure I get a vision and hearing test done through my pediatrician in the next 6 months.

That's it for now. Time for some rest and relaxation this summer in order to get ready for school in August! Wow... still can't believe it! I can't wait to start posting updates of Maggie's progress through school! Pray with us...

Pre-School... Here We Come!

Yesterday was our IEP for Maggie
(Individualized Education Program)

We had a Speech Therapist, Psychologist, and Classroom teacher in attendance, as well as Eric and myself. First they discussed their results from Maggie's Assessments. Second, they discussed the services that she qualifies for, and then we discussed goals for Maggie to reach in the next year.

Eric and I both cried as we anticipated what it would be like to actually hear Maggie talk and interact in a classroom all by herself. It was overwhelming for both of us, as we have watched Maggie struggle with most everything since the day she was born. To know that it is beyond ourselves to help her reach these goals, I felt very close to these 3 strangers that were sitting across from me at a table. I knew that in a few short months I would be handing them my daughter and trusting God that they will love her, teach her and grow her in a way I can only dream about... oh, the tears fall as I write this!
~~~~~~~~~~~

Here are the goals we have set for Maggie's this coming year:

Oral Motor
-Perform 10 oral motor tasks to improve
lip and tongue strength and coordination.

Articulation
-Produce age appropriate sounds
/p,b,t,d,m,n,w,h/ in CVC words.

2 Step Directions
- Follow 2 step directions to the spatial concepts
(in, out, off, under), descriptive concepts (big, little),
and quantity concepts (one, all).

Vocabulary
-Learn and use a minimum of 100 new vocabulary words
related to preschool monthly themes.

Expressive Language
-Increase communication through language
of needs and wants in the classroom.

Social Emotional
-Learn to share.

Fine Motor
-Draw circles, lines, as well as simple shapes
using crayons, markers, finger paint, and sand

Pre-Academic
-Learn to receptively and expressively
identify 8 colors and 5 shapes.
-Demonstrate number concepts by giving just one,
one more, count to three and rote count to 5.

Attention to Task
-Sit and attend to circle/group song/activity for 15 minutes
by demonstrating quiet hands, quiet mouth, and eye contact with the teacher.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We are still in prayer regarding how many days a week we will send Maggie... but as you can see there is a LOT that we want to see accomplished in a year. It seems obvious that she needs as much time in the classroom as possible. Both Eric and I felt a great peace about the meeting yesterday and about sending Maggie as often as needed.

"Thank you, God, for the peace we felt yesterday. We know that peace can only come from trusting you and praising you with each breath we have. You love Maggie more than we will ever be able to... please continue to give us strength to guide her as you would desire. We pray Maggie's life will continue to bless others, in the name of Jesus."