Alpine Assessment

I have debated how exactly to write this post. 

I completely do this blog for my children and hope that someday it will be a great reminder to them of how much they are loved and a great place to keep their memories. Having said that, I know that someday they will read this, and that has been of concern for me on this post.

I never want River to see this post in a negative light because it isn't negative. 

Most of you know that River has been receiving Early Intervention services from Kids on the Move.

This has been such a wonderful thing for him and I. It has helped him immensely with Speech, Social/emotional, finding his talents and his weaknesses.

At the age of 3 River can no longer receive the services at Kids on the Move. So at this point of transition they set up an appointment with the Alpine School district for an assessment or evaluation of River's skills, to see if he qualified for their services. We got his evaluation done a few days ago.

Honestly it didn't tell me anything I didn't already know or suspect.

The evaluation was both questionnaire {for me to fill out} and physical assessment of River.

He was assessed by a teacher, speech pathologist, and a psychologist.

He obviously has a severe speech delay. He also scored low in social and emotional. He had a completely divided score on Comprehension, is one category of comp. he was above average {he is fantastic at puzzles!} and in another he was in the 1%tile.  He was above average in Motor Skills {He loves hitting, kicking, and throwing balls!}

 

They let me know that his scores were very similar to the scores of children with Autism.

{I already knew this}

They asked me if I wanted to take a questionnaire specifically for Autism. I said that was fine.

They came back with the results that he ranked in the top category of "very likely autistic".

This isn't a diagnosis. But, nonetheless not something I haven't already contemplated.

River qualified for services through Alpine School district.

He will be attending a preschool for children with special needs and be receiving speech therapy. 

I asked the opinion of those administering the test if they thought I should look into getting him diagnosed. They felt where he is still so young and doesn't need a diagnosis to receive their services that it would be best that I wait until Kindergarten if we are still concerned at that point.

So obviously we are hoping that he will continue to progress with therapy!

This kid is the coolest kid out there and we will do whatever it takes to help him, whatever those needs may be!

River you are different from some kids your age, but I want you to know now that different is WONDERFUL, everyone out there is trying to be different, guess what you already are! 

{In the best ways!}

You couldn't be funnier, sweeter, or more mischievous!

We are more then blessed to be your parents and love you more then you will or can ever know!

Love ya bubba!!

River has been obsessed with the song "we are young" and I LOVE listening to him sing to it.

The dance moves aren't to bad either :)

{i cry laughing watching this!}