On Thursday Josie was evaluated by SoonerStart. An Occupational Therapist and Child Development Specialist did a whole series of 'tests' on Josie to see where she fits on a general development scale. The ladies asked me questions "Is she generally happy?" "Does she cry when left with strangers?" "Does she help put her arms through her sleeves when getting her dressed?" etc, etc. Then they tested her cognitive level by hiding a toy underneath a cup to see if she could find it, asking her to bang toys together, seeing if she looked when her name was called, etc. They were here at the house for about an hour and half. This won't be a surprise to anyone who is around Josie but it was funny to hear the women say over and over again they were so excited to work with a baby who is so calm, happy, and cooperative. And they were here at nap time even! Josie was just perfect. At the end of it all, Josie is exactly where she should be in every category (adaptive, personal-social, communication, cognitive) EXCEPT for motor. Which is what we figured. As it turns out she is exactly 50% deficient in this category and so does qualify for help from SoonerStart. If she had scored one higher on anything she would not have qualified. The Occupational Therapist said that Josie's ankles turn out and that very well might be why she is not taking steps. Josie has to concentrate on using her whole body to stay balanced when she stands that she doesn't want to move her feet. She suggested we buy Josie some high top shoes to help those ankles stay straight. Also she did notice that Josie had some 'extra' flexibility in her hips but doesn't think it's cause for too much alarm. Something we will just watch. We are not supposed to let her sit in the "W" way with her knees bent and her feet behind her. They said not to tell her "no", or "don't do that", just to move her and tell her "sit pretty". We finish the evaluation part today when we go downtown for a hearing test. After that SoonerStart will come to the house (don't know how often yet) to work with Josie and try and get her walking!
This weekend the search for Josie's shoes commenced. I first went to the BX (store on the air force base), no luck. Kohl's--NO! Target--NO! JCPenney--kinda. They the expensive stride rite shoes but only in a size 3. Josie's feet are INCREDIBLY small, the size 3 was way too big but I went ahead and bought them so we could at least get her ankle support and because I couldn't find any other high tops period! Then yesterday at Wal-mart we found some size 2's that aren't too big. They had one pair in that size! So here is my sweet girl in her new shoes (that she is supposed to wear all the time!)
That is a hair picture for my Momma, see--it is coming in! :)
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