The Early Intervention Visit

Six Month Early Intervention Visit

The Lakeland County Birth to 3 Program received its first referral for a child with hearing loss through the WE-TRAC System. Daniel Jenson is a six-month old infant diagnosed with permanent, moderate sensorineural hearing loss who lives with his Mom and maternal grandmother. An intake evaluation was set up for three weeks after the referral was received.  Jane, the Lakeland County Birth to 3 Program Coordinator assigned to this case, conducted an eligibility assessment in the family’s home. It was noted and discussed with mom and grandmother that Daniel was meeting his developmental milestones in every area.  The mom was pleased and agreed that she had no concerns about Daniel’s development. Daniel’s grandmother, however, did express concern that her grandson could not hear her sing and was not calmed by her voice, the way her other grandchildren were.   Jane reassured the grandmother that although Daniel would not be found eligible for services at this time, they would reassess him in six months when she could begin to assess his speech and language development.  Jane provides the family with a copy of the Babies & Hearing Loss Notebook, as they did not receive one from their audiologist. Jane’s report indicates that the mother declined services at this time.

Twelve Month Early Intervention Visit

Jane returns to the home for Daniel’s six-month reevaluation.  An exasperated grandmother meets Jane at the door, with Daniel in one arm and his hearing aids in hand.  The grandmother explains that she is frustrated with the squealing sound the hearing aids make and is uncomfortable with putting them in his ears.  She also reports that Daniel’s mom is no longer living with them and she has primary responsibility for Daniel’s care.  Jane indicates that becoming more comfortable with using and caring for the hearing aids could be something that Birth to 3 could help with if Daniel was found eligible for services.  After Jane completed the assessment process, she and Daniel’s grandmother agree that he would be eligible for Birth to 3 and that they were in need of services.  They discussed the next steps, which would include goal setting as a part of the IFSP process, and gathered consent to share her contact information with other supportive programs such as the Guide By Your Side Program. The grandmother was relieved that she would receive support from Birth to 3 and seemed anxious to hear from her Parent Guide.