So, Sophie, or Sophia her given name and what she prefers to be called, was always ahead of the game. She was always meeting and often exceeded the defined development milestones since an infant. At her well checkup for age 3 - I noticed that she could be doing better with her coloring. At age 4 - the milestone was that she could make stick people - which she is far from doing. She is still mastering making circles, x's, and the occasional letter (so far q and h).
After a brief conversation with her pediatrician, he recommended that I contact the school district for an OT eval. He said it was likely that she wouldn't require services per se, but they make provide materials to help work with Sophie. Sounds good.
Yup, sounds good. Too bad it wasn't the full feel of what was/is about to transcend.
4 separate evaluations - one by a psychologist, a speech therapist, a special ed teacher, and yes an OT. I needed more appointments like I need another orifice; Zach, with his two appointments a week, and the speech therapist pushing for a third with an OT, the dog to the vets/groomers, mom and the cancer associated appts (drs visits, tests, xrays, ct scans, pet scans, surgeries, various treatments, getting medications and devices, getting hte house settled for her, taking care of her financial tasks and maintenance issues around the house, trying to keep her out of depression - socialization, getting her books, etc.) , trying to get our house settled (trying to furnished and decorated - has anyone tried to get a painter in Syracuse recently??? and looking into renovations), while trying to hold down a job which has just turned topsy turvy - new position, new division, new building, lost my office and now in a cubicle (blek), NO babysitter and no availability at local day care, and just other life appointments. So when I recently broke a toe and didn't go to the doctor - I was told by many - you should go to the doctor - ha ha ha ha ha. For myself? Well, a scratch to the cornea did eventually lead me to take the time for an hour long visit with a doctor. Alas, this could impede on me providing services to others - so I had to have it taken care of.
OK - back to Sophia. I have been told we have to meet with some sort of committee at the school district to get the results of all these evaluations. Yes a committee - some sort of panel of all the evaluators, and educator, a parent of a special needs kid, and I have no idea who else. I find this all overkill. I understand why these things might exist, and even their utility for certain circumstances. But I am so tired of process/procedures circumventing logical, thoughtful individual approaches to problems. It is showing up in life more and more - and leading us to be nothing more than mediocre at best. I have this same frustration at work very frequently, and in life in different ways - anybody try to do their taxes and read the accompanying documentation? YIKES. And I have a masters degree - how does the average Joe handle all this?
She superseded some of the evaluators tests - but showed frustration in other areas. Note: frustration, not inability. The OT commented on her not being able to use scissors well. The girl has only had scissors for about 2 months now - she is such a spaz that I was afraid to give her sharp objects intended to cut, especially when I have an almost 2 year old that I need to keep an eye on and make sure she doesn't give him a hair cut. (This being of particular importance since Zach's hairline could be better.)
Did I fight the system. No. I instead am trying to tolerate it by going through the motions, as much as it interferes with life, and hope that all is well in the end. I need this positive outlook right now. Lately, it is very hard to find inspiration and hope with so many things going on.
