Although the Hodge family had only referred their daughter Aubrea to Clinton County Help Me Grow Early Intervention program a little over six months ago, they have found the services to be beneficial to them as a family.
Aubrea’s mom, Christin started noticing concerns about her daughter’s health, motor and language development over a year ago. Aubrea was evaluated by an endocrinologist through Dayton Children’s Hospital and was diagnosed shortly after with Hypoglycemia in the spring of 2015.
Christin heard about the HMG program through a co-worker who shared with her that the program was for children birth to three years of age with a development delay or have a medical diagnosis and a need for support.
The following day Christin called the HMG office. She spoke to the referral and intake specialist, Marnie Reed, who then referred her further to an Early Intervention Service Coordinator. Soon after the call, Kim Bolin met with the family and started the eligibility process for ongoing services. Susan Parker, developmental specialist from the CCBDD, was then introduced to the family and has been Aubrea’s primary service provider since.
Together Susan, Christin and Shawn, Aubrea’s father, began to work on outcomes based on family priorities combined with Aubrea’s needs to support her development. Aubrea’s third birthday will soon be approaching. In preparation for the new milestone in Aubrea’s life, the team assisted the family with coordinating an evaluation through the family’s home school district. The district in addition to the evaluation developed a plan for Aubrea to support her as she attends preschool with peers her age.
According to Christin, the program has helped her as a parent. She has learned to better communicate with her daughter. Both parents felt that the link to the school district was helpful and thorough. Aubrea’s father shared that he didn’t feel that the extra support was necessary at first for his daughter, however over time with the services and the preschool team’s evaluation and recommendations, have made him feel differently.
Christin also shared that Aubrea and her younger sister have attended other events supported by the Early Intervention team through the Clinton County Board of Developmental Disabilities where the Early Intervention and Help Me Grow service staff are housed. Other opportunities include family respite nights and a play group. “Unfortunately I was only able to take Aubrea to one play group due to my work schedule” said Christin. “Now I wish I had more time.”
“It has been a learning experience for me and my daughter and Susan has really helped us through this experience. I am sad that the HMG service is almost finished”, said Christin.
This is the Hodge’s story. Their hopes and dreams for their daughter haven’t changed thanks to Early Intervention services. A goal of Early Intervention is to provide support and resources that will assist a parent or caregiver in enhancing their child’s learning and development through everyday routines.
In 2015, Help Me Grow Early Intervention has provided services to over 100 families in Clinton County. Call the Clinton County Board of DD at (937) 382-7519 or Clinton County Help Me Grow at (937) 382-5899 if you or someone you know with a young child may be in need of services.
March is DD awareness month. This year’s theme is What’s Your Story.
