It's true!!! I have issues (Shut up, Heater!). One of the big issues we're dealing with right now is Kieren's speech delay. As you know, we are not able to have speech therapy thanks to the morons who chose the new insurance. Hell! We can't afford to get sick, need surgery, have x-rays, break bones, or get a hangnail! Nothing's covered. Don't get me started!!!
Sorry, I digress...
Friday was Kieren's "speech review" with the school system. Click here for "Act 1" of our school system drama if you missed it. Let's just say I went in with a teeny bit of an attitude. Alright! Fine! I went in with a Redwood-sized chip on my shoulder!!! I was still pissed from our last go-round (yes, I hold a grudge). Anyway, Kieren and I went into the same place as last time, but no one was there. The lights were on, but no one was home (hmmm...how appropriate). So Kieren and I headed back to the main hall to try to find someone. It was early + I was tired + I really didn't want to deal with these people again + we were going to be late for playgroup = bad attitude looking for a place to happen. Yeah, that's me.
As we turned the corner in the hall, we found Lee (one of the thorns in my side) and a woman I correctly assumed was the new speech therapist (Laura). Gee, do they have to make them so young and cute and bubbly?! The speech therapist was so adorable I almost asked if her mommy knew where she was! So we turned around and headed back to torture chamber.
Lee introduces me to Laura and tells me that Laura will take Kieren now. (HA! Not so fast, buck-o!) I tell her that's okay, but I will walk Kieren to the test area myself. (I don't want a repeat freak-out because Kieren goes with a stranger and she doesn't know where Mommy is!) So we follow Laura, who is being very sweet with Kieren (maybe because they are so close in age?), and I tell Kieren that it's okay to go with Laura. I let her know that I will sit in the "cafe" so Kieren can see me from the testing room if she needs me. Kieren looks at me for a minute, smiles, and goes with Laura willingly.
By this time, Lee is trying to high-tail it out of the room. (I don't think so!) I stop her and tell her there is something I would like to talk to her about. (Gotta love that deer-in-the-headlights look.) I decided to attack just one of the problems at this meeting. So I tell her that I have a problem with how the kids are taken back at testing. A stranger swooping down on my daughter as we walk in the door and then luring her away from me with promises of "let's play some games" is so wrong on many levels!!! (I'm sorry, but we teach our kids not to talk to strangers or go with them. This tactic was way too creepily like "want some candy, little girl?"!!!) I then let it rip! I told her how Kieren didn't know where I was or if I was even coming back. By not letting me tell Kieren it was okay to go with this stranger or where I would be, it totally freaked her out! (The psychologist made an assumption that Kieren had a social problem because she observed her in a room full of strange adults after being taken from me at the door! Kieren had shut-down.) I then let her know that it was bad enough to do with bio children, but with adopted children it was unforgivable! These kids have already been taken from everything they've ever known. They were abandoned shortly after birth and then taken from their orphanages at Gotcha. There are just some things that you just don't do! (The more I said, the paler Lee got.)
I then made a point of telling her that was why I walked Kieren to the test room, told her it was okay to go with Laura and then showed her where I would be. At this point, Lee started apologizing and stammering. None of this had ever occurred to her. She said it would never happen to another child again. She would go document everything and let everyone know. I just hope things do change. She then practically ran from the "cafe" and didn't show her face again.
So I settled down to wait for Kieren. I had chosen a chair so I could see into the test room. Kieren was seated at the far end of the room with her back to me. She turned to make sure I was there and smiled and waved. She and Laura were having a good time "playing" (testing). Kieren was very cooperative, happy, and just so darn cute! She was having a blast!!! She even teased Laura and giggled. (Yeah...real social issues there!) After about 45 minutes (and only 3 times of checking if I was still there), Laura brought Kieren to me. First thing out of Laura's mouth? "She is the sweetest little girl and I just love her!" She quickly told me what they had done and asked if I had any questions. (HA!!! Remember, she asked for it!)
Yes, I had a few questions. I decided to see how much Laura had observed. I asked if she noticed anything about Kieren's mouth when she spoke. (Hey! I warned you I don't play well with others!) Laura answered that she did notice something. Kieren's mouth is always in neutral position. Her lips and teeth never close when she speaks. (Score one for the speech therapist!) She then took the next step and moved up in my books. She asked if Kieren had any issues with food or eating. We talked about the food problems and then moved on to oral sensitivity issues that a number of the girls from JiangCheng (Kieren's SWI) and YangJiang (the SWI right next door to JC) have. This woman actually understood!!! She asked intelligent questions! When we discussed the severe speech regression, she asked if there was an illness or injury at that time (nope). She didn't ask the stupid and dreaded "well what caused it"! She told me it happens sometimes and just left it alone. (I really like this woman!)
Well, I decided to push things. I told her that Lee had called our meeting that day a "speech review" because she didn't want to call it an evaluation and get the clock ticking. I told her that the clock was ticking! Kieren had been ignored and push aside for way too long. I expected this to start moving along NOW. We were not just going to stand there and wait. She looked a little taken aback, but said Lee should have set up the next appointment by now and would be in touch with me soon. (Still haven't heard a word.) She definitely got the idea that I was tired of this crap!
Now we wait again. I will be calling Lee this afternoon and demanding to know what's next. I'm so sick of dealing with these people! When I had originally set up these appointments, I was told Kieren would be starting Preschool on March 21st. (Guess I should have asked in what year!) Now it appears we will be lucky to get her enrolled by next school year. It's hard to sit here and watch Kieren lag behind more and more every day. It's so hard to read blogs about kids younger than Kieren speaking in sentences. It's so hard watching kids talk to Kieren and she can't respond to them. It's so hard watching Kieren's frustration as she can't tell me what she wants/needs!!! I'm done being nice. I'll let you know what I find out!
