Parents Applaud West Virginia Birth to Three
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Three Wheeling families are happy to share their experiences with West Virginia Birth toThree. They each have inspiring stories they hope will encourage others to consider Birth to Three services.
Larry and Annie's Story
Valarie and Larry felt blessed to have twins Larry and Annie. They spent their pregnancy months reading gobs of parenting books and resources, but nothing could have prepared them for the new reality they faced.
"We quickly found ourselves overwhelmed navigating life with newborn twins," Valarie said. "We faced double the feedings, never-ending diaper changes, waking up in the middle of the night twice as much. On top of everything, Annie had severe colic, crying non-stop for her first year of life."
Their lives changed even more when the twins turned 5 months old, and their pediatrician, who noticed their milestones matched those of a 2-month old, urged them to call Birth to Three for an evaluation. For the past two-and-a-half years, the twins have benefited from everything Birth to Three offered.
From day one, the family received great support and encouragement. A developmental specialist helped them manage the colic, navigate leaving our home, adjust to daycare, implement positive reinforcement, and improve sleep. The speech therapist recommended that Larry have a hearing test, which led to tubes in his ears. They learned the speech delay was a
result of him not hearing properly.
A physical therapist was there the first time that Larry climbed up to get on a slide at the park. She encouraged the family as he navigated first steps and walking up steps. An occupational therapist was there for Annie's first taste of food. She also helped them figure out solutions to Annie's colic.
"We practiced the skills that these providers taught us, and my children thrived," Valarie said. "My children's delays don't compare to those of some other children. Birth to Three set my children up for success and has made me a better mom. When I talk to new parents who are
worried about their child's development, I immediately suggest Birth to Three."
Annie and Larry were thriving well by the time they reached their third birthday. They are now in kindergarten and doing well.
"Overall, I think the parents are impacted more than kids," Valarie said. "I can't imagine having to navigate my children's delays without Birth to Three, but I also can't imagine motherhood in general without it. The specialists and therapists helped me become a better mom."
She said her twins are now 5 and have a 2-year-old brother. She still uses the solutions and tactics she learned through Birth to Three.
Owen's Story
Amanda and Matthew noticed their son, Owen, who was born five weeks prematurely, exhibited delays in his ability to speak, handle eating utensils, or sit in a chair. Owen also made minimal eye contact, and had little attention span.
"When I voiced my concerns to other first-time moms, they directed me to Birth to Three," Amanda said.
Owen thrived within the first month of Birth to Three intervention. Almost immediately, occupational therapy had him using utensils, sitting in his chair, making eye contact, and being
aware of his surroundings.
"We are still working on his speech delay," she said. "He goes through phases. He says some words one week, then does not use them the next."
According to Amanda, therapists mostly visit Owen at day care, but in-home visits are more settling for her and her husband. Birth to Three therapists work in-home, or in any environment where the child is most comfortable.
"Our coordinator has been a godsend," she said. "The therapists put our mind at ease and let us know that Owen is in transition, and doing great. That's just what a mom needs to hear."
Amanda said parents enrolled in the program should not be afraid to switch therapists.
"It has nothing to do with the therapist as a person, but just simply the connection they have with your child," she said. "We ended up going through a few occupational and speech therapists, and decided we did not need a developmental therapist. It was all handled very professionally."
She said switching is not a personality issue, but simply what worked best for Owen and their daily schedules.
Parker's Story
Parker was two days old when the county foster agency entrusted him to the care of Stefan and Joelle, who later adopted him.
The child was born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), a condition caused by in-utero drug exposure. The diagnosis prompted foster agency specialists to suggest Stefan and Joelle contact Birth to Three. He was barely one month old at his first evaluation.
Parker receives physical and developmental therapy. While he has hit every developmental milestone, he has been delayed in reaching them along the way. Currently he is working on jumping, a skill that is difficult to him due to diminished muscle tone, and categorizing objects by shape and color, socialization, and potty training.
"Parker still receives services," Joelle said. "However, the impact on the parents is profound. We were first-time parents trying to navigate the foster care system, a pandemic, and caring for a newborn with NAS. We had no idea what we were doing, and having Birth to Three in our home taught us more than any parenting book could ever do.
"We are beyond grateful for the therapists who care for him, because they care for mom and dad too. I think all first-time parents should use Birth to Three," Joelle said, "because they can learn so much more than a pediatrician, a book, or their parents could ever help them with. The key to any child’s outcome is early intervention. Bonding, eating, sleeping, consoling, and their environment, including lights, sounds, music, and laughter, are critical components. They should use a professional to identify developmental stages."
She said Birth to Three specialists care for the whole family. No referrals are necessary,
and the service is free.