I was wondering at what age most of you babies started in some kind of early intervention program. Do they start at birth, or do you have to wait a few months. I am adopting a baby who is now 3 months old, but unfortunately will likely be 7-8 months old when I am able to get her from Guatemala. I am concerned about all this time I am missing and if this will cause her to be delayed even further. I want to do everything possible to help her to grow and develop to best of her potential, this waiting is HARD! My husband said, at least it is not as long as a preganacy, but it seem different, I have seen pictures and video of her and know that someone else is caring for her.. the wait seems endless. I will feel a little better if the delay is not hurting her too much. What do you think?

Dear Crystle,

Hello! I can imagine that you are having a hard time waiting for your little girl to arrive -- I am a very impatient person, so I can sympathize! As far as the EI goes, I had a comment from Mia's pediatrician once that the stuff you do before your child is 1 or more is not worth alot. I took this as a very negative thing to say, and still don't really agree with it, but perhaps he was saying that it benefits us parents more than it does our children. It gives us something to focus on, a need that we feel we can meet. If you think your little one will be 7 or 8 months when you get her, I wouldn't be too concerned that she will be "more" delayed than she would have been if you had been working with her those few months. If she is being cared for, if a bit of love is coming her way, and you are saving a whole lot of yours up to shower on her when she arrives into your life, then that is really what counts. I used to worry alot that I wasn't doing enough for Mia (I have 3 other kids and a husband as well to care for!) and feel alot of guilt, like what if I cause her to not be what she could be etc, by my inability to do more for her, but in time I learned that that is not helpful. Another mum whose son is 10 now shared with me that it's fine for therapists and Drs to give you lots to do with your child, but that child is a part of the larger sphere of your family, and somehow you have to find the balance between all those needs. In the end you need to feel at peace about how you are doing things, and this peace is worth far more to your child than your worry over things that are out of your control.

Hi Crystle:

My daughter, Ally, started EI at about 3 1/2 weeks of age. Actually, that's when her evaluations by the therapists began. We met our service coordinator first who brought out some profiles of therapists for us to pick from. Then the therapists came out and checked her out and told us what they thought and she probably started at about 1 month old. There wasn't much to be done in the early months, mostly working on positioning with towel rolls to encourage her not to "flop" open her arms and legs much. Tummy time was important too to help with strengthening her neck control. I'd have to look back on our old therapy notes to see what we did at the sessions. It seems to me though that she really didn't start making big progress until she was about 4 1/2 to 6 months old -- probably because that's when she was becoming much more aware of and curious about her surroundings and wanted to get somewhere. From what I remember talking to her and interacting with her were a big help when she was really little, because it helped her to try to "find" sounds and move her head and such. Any little bit your baby will get helps, and I would bet that she'll be quick to learn when she figures out it will get her somewhere!! Good luck!

Hi Crystle!!
Can't imagine the wait!! Wife & I will be praying...
Wesley began EI when he was about 6-8 months. He had open heart surgery when he was three months old, so by the time we got him evaluated, and everything arranged he was at least 6 Mo old, probably more. First couple of months he didn't do much, I wouldn't worry too much about the time missed, I know when you do get her you will quickly "make-up" any lost time.
Do you know anything about her health, any problems they have told you about?

Crystle,
My daughter just turned 7 months old two days ago. WE met w/ therapists when she was much younger but like the earlier post, she needed open heart surgery. Even though we met w/ a therapist,we did no real work w/ our daughter.We just met again this week with the therapist and have some things to work on but she is pretty much on track. So just to let you know,she will be fine .All the love you already have for her will serve her better than any amount of early
intervention she could get. I have three other daughters and I am amazed to find every day that she is just like any other baby. And like all babies, 7 months old is a wonderful magical time. With beginning laughter,coos,giggles and responding to daddy. We are trying to feed her cereal but she spends most of the time buzzing her lips and covering us in rice cereal!!You have SO MUCH to look forward to. Best of luck. CMSCR