Our First IEP

We had our very first IEP (Individual Education Plan) session today for Emma.  There were about 15 people in attendance and it could have easily been overwhelming, but somehow it wasn't.  

Emma loved looking at all the people and turned her attention to whoever was talking and then decided she was bored of listening to us talk and started a game of peek-a-boo.  She found a couple of ladies in the room who succumbed to her cuteness and were only too happy to smile and play along with her as she bent down at the waist and looked under the table only to pop her head up a bit to smile and then she was down again.  This game went on for some time before I realized what was happening.  This is classic Emma and just melted my heart a bit more!  

We started setting some goals for Emma and the plan is to have the first completed version of the IEP tp Chris and me later this week for review.  There were a lot of goals to discuss and some of the therapists wanted a bit of time to think on them before adding them to the IEP.  We agree that a bit of time might be good because Chris and I have to digest the goals, too.  

The team is planning to use the same or similar technology and positioning equipment with Emma that we are currently using and that is very encouraging.  We also had a tour of Emma's classroom and saw her name already added to the classroom door and her cubby.  It felt so real - the idea of sending Emma off to start pre-school sometime next week.  

There are still some details to iron out but it seems likely that Emma will soon start pre-school.  There are many moments over the last 3 years that I've felt unprepared for and I could safely add Emma starting pre-school to that list.  Chris summarized it best when he said - "We just brought her home from the hospital (when she was born) last week and now she is ready to start school - how could this be?"