Sofie had a speech evaluation with a speech-language pathologist last week through FirstSteps, our early intervention program. We didn't think her speech was delayed, but since she was eligible for the evaluation, we decided to do it just to be sure she was on track.
As many of you know, speech and hearing are closely related. Sofie is considered to be at a higher risk for late-onset progressive sensorineural hearing loss because she was on ECMO and had to take ototoxic antibiotics when she was a baby. Some studies even show that ECMO babies who also had CDH are at an even higher risk for hearing loss than babies on ECMO for other reasons.
Because of this high risk for hearing loss, post-ECMO babies should have frequent hearing screenings into childhood. Many parents have their post-ECMO kiddos screened every 6 months. We have not had concerns about her hearing so far, but should still be having her screened regularly.
She had her initial "newborn" screen done around 2 months of age, which was normal. We should have had her screened again around 6 months and 1 year of age, but 3 reherniations took precidence, and hearing screening got pushed to the back burner. I should have set up a hearing screen at the end of last summer. But after the crazy year we'd had, we were just relieved to be getting a break, and scheduling more Dr's appointments was not high on my todo list. Then cold/flu season got here, and I didn't see the necessity of bringing my well child into a Dr's office for a hearing screen during flu season when we haven't had cause for concern.
I know. Excuses, excuses. Bad Mommy. So our plan is to have her hearing screen done in early May after cold/flu season is over. We've been "studying" for the hearing screen - haha, which is actually really funny to watch. Maybe I'll catch this on video someday soon.
So back to the speech eval - since she could get a free evaluation done by a professional IN OUR HOME (seriously, how great is early intervention!?!), we just couldn't say no. The evaluation went great, and I'm glad we did it. She scored right on track at 22 months. Yay, Sofie!!
How'd we get our stubborn toddler to perform on command for someone she'd never met, you ask? How'd we get her to dazzle the evaluator with her astonishing attentiveness and her streamlined test-taking skills? Get her to display her entire vocabulary, use each letter of the alphabet she can say in a word, follow two and three-stage commands, and bunches of other things that were part of the test that I don't remember? Cake. These people are professionals, remember? They asked her mother.
Sofie played while we talked. The speech-language pathologist asked me gazillions of questions that started with "Does Sofie...?" and I answered yes or no. The test was scored and that was it. Sofie barely said two words. Much more efficient, and I dare say more accurate, than hoping she'd perform for the test the way we see her perform every day for us.
Now if only the hearing screen goes as well. If there are going to be headphones involved, I see a tantrum in our future...