OT or Physical Therapist for almost 9 month old baby
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Anonymous
| My almost 9 month old seems to be only slightly delayed with social skills, but she tested at a low 6 month level on with Montgomery County early intervention. It wasn't enough to qualify for services, but they recommended we see a physical therapist or OT to get the baby moving. She can't shift her weight. She barely rolls and can't change her position in general. Is an OT or PT better for this? Thanks! |
Anonymous
| PT |
Anonymous
| Definitely PT, we started at 7 months for some similar issues (EI in DC actually set us up with an OT first, trying to tell us this young an OT could do the same things a PT could - but the OT came and looked and her and said nope, you really need a PT). Many PT places will see kids that young, we started at Early Intervention Associates in Rockville, but there are definitely other places. |
Anonymous
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My daughter is a pediatric PT, and it is not all that unusual to go for some guidance in helping a baby gain motor skills. In many respects, physical therapy will be guiding the parents in how to position and encourage baby to learn a skill. Also by establishing a relationship with a PT, you know you will have the benefit of a second opinion in assessing what your baby might need. Off the bat, "tummy time" is very important and putting a toy your child really enjoys just beyond one's reach will encourage movement. Rolling up a bath towel, placing it behind your baby when placed on one's side will also help to get the idea/feel of rolling over started. Also giving your baby natural opportunities to be with other youngsters about the same age often is a great stimulus to "get moving" so if you can arrange a play date or use a church or gym nursery do so. |
Anonymous
All the bolded make me think that whoever talked with you is incompetent. Your daughter should qualify based on what you said. Be persistent. MD criteria for eligibility is experiencing at least a 25 percent delay, and your daughter's delay is 33%. |
Anonymous
PP, it's impossible to come up with a percentage based on what the OP wrote. OP, contact your insurance company for a PT or ask your pediatrician. |
Anonymous
I think it's 25% in 2 categories or 50% in one category. And yes it's based on age- so a 12 month old would have to be performing at a 6 month level to qualify. |
Anonymous
| It's definitely only 25% in one area in Montgomery county, generally age based. So it does sound like the kid was on the cusp but depending on how things were calculated could have missed the mark by just a few days or a single month. Depends on the test and the age tests give - not sure if there's an eval that gives 6.5 months? Because 6 months at 8 months is indeed a 25% delay. Unless they did something silly like combo fine and gross motor skills. Odd that they recommended services without qualifying though since there's a clinical judgment option too (doesn't quite meet criteria but clear somethings off and need intervention). That's how we qualified - well, she's not quite far enough behind yet but it's clear somethings awry here and she'll have issues shortly. 3 years of PT later.... (Clearly they were right and I appreciate the evaluators being on top of it). Anyway OP, pursue private or ask EI to reevaluate next month or month after - and get an eval after your child turns a month (so don't do it a few days before 11 months, but right after). |
Anonymous
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It is definitely 25% in one area or more in MoCo. 6 months at 8 months old is a delay, and should have qualified. I work for EI and I have once or twice not recommended services for a child who qualified because I felt very strongly that the test failed them (for example, the child did not want to stack blocks and qualified for OT but had an excellent grasp and manipulated small objects), but if they recommended private services they seemed to see an issue. These are the kinds of children that we want to work with and support from an early age to have the best outcomes possible.
I would definitely call back. |
Anonymous
| 2nd the rec for Early Intervention Associates in Rockville. They are in-network for some insurances too. |
Anonymous
| It's 25% in one area for MOCO. Call back and ask for a reactivation. |
Anonymous
|
this is the OP-- I think you all are right. I need to ask for a reactivation. We saw a private OT today who seemed wonderful. I have a PT scheduled for tomorrow. My baby has actually regressed and is now participating in tummy time like a tiny baby. She flaps her arms and won't press up anymore. Lots of stiffening, no rolling, lots of crying. Yuck. Poor kid.
This is my second child, so I've seen normal gross motor development before. I really want my kid to learn to move her body. |
Anonymous
| What does you pediatrician say? |
Anonymous
| OP-9 month check up is on Tuesday. I filled out the CHADIS survey with my concerns, so we'll talk about it then. |