Gross Motor Eval Update

Well.... after much wracking my brain trying to figure out how E could've rationalized that Sean was between 11 & 15 mos in regard to his gross motor development I took it to Sean's expert. She is the leading expert in all things Sean and gross motor together. His physical therapist. You know the one that sees him every two weeks.

We went through the areas that Sean supposedly didn't do well in and she looked puzzled. After some discussion and Sean's therapy session we went over the same Peabody test that E administered.

During Sean's session we looked at various items. One of which being going up & down stairs unassisted. Guess what! He did both. Unassisted. N was there to catch him if it was needed, but.... He also threw a ball with no problem. :\

Anyway... after going through the Peabody, N determined that Sean is at a 25-26 month level in his gross motor development. That would be spot on for where he's been since we began this journey. After that 26 month mark, Sean is scattered in what he can & cannot do until roughly 36 months. Where he can do certain things well and other things he cannot do. Again, right on track for where he's always been in physical development.

N looked through the Peabody test and made her determinations based on what she has physically seen Sean do. I had no input. Where Sean is lacking and what will always set him "behind" is jumping. Jumping is a big part of the 24-30 month milestones. He has the basics and has gotten air, but not consistently.

After all is said & done... we have stepped up the stair factor. Sean is no longer allowed to be lazy. At school, he is encouraged to walk up & down the stairs when helping him will not put the other 2 year olds to in danger. At home he is to walk up & down the stairs. Unless he is alone. Then he can do it anyway he feels most comfortable and safe.

Why was getting an accurate evaluation done so important? Well... One of Sean's old therapists told us that if Sean is not ready to do certain skills it only results in frustration for me and him when he's pushed to do it and cannot. It also prevents him from laying good foundations to other skills. Since so many evolve from one another.

Sean was & is clearly ready to do stairs unassisted. He goes up alternating feet, holding on with one hand. Going down it's the same foot, but holding with one hand. So that will be what we work on. Confidence and then alternating feet going down. Finally alternating feet without holding on up and down.

We'll also be working on jumping and balance. He can balance on one foot for a second or two, but we'll work on him being able to do it for longer.

His strength and tone continue to be good. His issue continues to be his coordination and his lax ligaments in the hips.

Sean will do anything for his therapist. They have an amazing relationship & I'm happy to have found her. I'm happy that I have a great relationship with her as well.