Blake had his final Early On evaluation last week. This is what determines what level he is at developmentally and what placement will be best for him in the fall.



He will be going to a different school than we originally thought; our house is right on the border of two districts, and we are in the other school district even though it is farther away (makes no sense-I know). BUT this school is a lot newer and is state of the art-they have awesome facilities and it was designed by the teachers and therapists that work there, so he will be getting the best of the best.



He was tested by the school's social worker; he averaged at about an 18 month level, the lowest being 13 month for expressive speech due to his speech delay. Which I guess is okay considering the tests are standardized so either they can do something or they can't, according to the "rules". There were many things he has done at home that he just didn't do that day for whatever reason, but that doesn't count. If the tester doesn't see it it isn't a skill, you know? So if he had been tested in a more familiar environment or my someone who knew him (like one of his therapists) I think he would have scored higher.



I have to admit I was really upset when we got home, mainly because I expected it to be a little higher, and the 13 month level for speech just crushed me. Here he is almost 3 and he is on the same level as a baby for speech??? He has been saying more words at home and is ALWAYS having a conversation with someone, even if we can't understand it. He will cock his head and make little hand motions like he is really talking. So he is improving and he is trying, so I guess we just have to focus on that and have faith that with a little more help it will come. Like I said before, if the tester had seen how he "talks" at home, he probably would have scored a little higher.



I have to expect that he is going to score lower than his age range. Part of PTLS is having developmental delays-I understand that. But it still hits a nerve when he is compared to other kids his age. His new school will be every day, half days. So he will be getting much more help, and he will be in a class with other SN kids as well as typical kids. That is great because he won't feel alone and yet he will be able to learn from the "regular" kids.



I will update as I get more information. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. I'm sure him going to school will be much harder on me than it is on him!!