[tri-med] Morgan's evaluation

The beginning of June Morgan had to have a review by a child psychologist
to continue to be eligible for his waiver.  It went very well.  This was
really just supposed to be an eval. and that was it, but I took the time to
ask the dr. a few questions.  It really changed my perspective and changed
the way Mike and I look at MOrgan's goals.  This dr. said that Morgan's
skills were currently in the 6-9 month range with a few skills in the 14
mo. range.  If you can believe this, it is his help in feeding himself that
is in the over 12 month range.  It just struck me as funny, I think because
of all the hard work that the feeding has always been now it is a strong
point for him.  Anyway, after the dr. had told us these things (he did not
pinpoint an i.q., he had to give a range or rather a score that read
Morgan's i.q. is below such and such a number, telling us that he thought
that i.q. scores in instances like this are just nonsense) I jumped in with
my main question.  Why is Morgan so hard to motivate? Why does he seem to
be able to do certain things, like assisted walking, one day and then he
doesn't do it again? Is he lazy, is he stubborn?  The dr. told us he didn't
think Morgan was lazy or stubborn, he said that just like everyone else in
the world Morgan cruises along in his daily life in a particular comfort
zone.  That comfort zone includes things in the 6-9 mos. stage of
development.  Some days when he has had a good night's sleep, eaten really
well, and all the planets are aligned (the drs. words) he will take steps
and do some walking.  But he will always slip back into his comfort zone. 
Nobody particularly likes to work outside of their "zone."  He said we want
to continue to stretch him as Morgan has the ability to continue to
progress, but maybe we need to go more slowly.  There are some skills in
the 6-9 month range that Morgan does not possess and so Mike and I have
decided to concentrate on these for awhile.  Things like getting into a
sitting position.  I have seen Morgan do this twice, but for the most part
he will not do it.  He can and will sit if placed sitting, but doesn't get
there himself.  He can stand next to a sofa or something for support, but
we need to get him to do it for longer periods of time, also work on
strengthening his arms for learn to pull himself into standing.  These are
things that should be within reach for now.  

Another issue we discussed with him was age appropriateness.  Mike and I
have recently been on an age appropriate "kick."  We thought that there
were many times when Morgan could and maybe should be treated like a 6 yr.
old.  This dr. didn't really agree (although he told me that if I continued
trying to convince him long enough he might be able to see my point of
view.)  He said that by treating him like a 6 yr. old we would not be
accepting him for who he is.  (He wasn't scolding us as he could tell that
is not the way we are with Morgan.)  The more he talked about it the more I
could see his point of view.  He told us as long as we and others treat
Morgan with respect it didn't matter what "age" he was.  I totally agree
with that.

As time as gone by I have become less of an advocate for t18 awareness and
more an advocate of awareness of all disabilities.  It doesn't really
matter what type of disability a person has, the public, health care
persons, etc. should all be educated that everyone has the same rights
regarding care and respect.  Oh boy, I'm not even going to get up on that
soapbox today.  I've already written 2, too long emails.  Anyway, thanks
for listening to me ramble on and on.



"I'm growing older, but not up.  My metabolic rate is pleasantly stuck.
Let those winds of time blow over my head.  I'd rather die while I'm living
than live while I'm dead"
Jimmy Buffet

--- Holly, wife of Mike, mom of Morgan (6 yrs.) unbalanced translocation
t18q+ and 9p-,  & IS, mommy to Bonnie (border collie, spaniel mix)
    Des Moines, IA
    http://www.geocities.com/hmmmcormick   


                  Building ___ooOOoo__ Rainbows
                       www.trisomyonline.org
                  Families Helping Families On-line

Other related posts: