Heather R.'s Diary Entries Diary Navigation: Choose A Diary Entry -------------------- Latest Entry: 11/30/01 -------------------- 10/25/01 6/21/01 5/10/01 4/8/01 3/30/01 3/23/01 3/15/01 3/7/01 2/27/01 2/20/01 2/12/01 1/29/01 1/17/01 1/1/01 12/27/00 12/19/00 12/1/00 11/13/00 -------------------- Heather R.'s Introduction

March 15, 2001

Ivan’s hearing is normal. It’s perfect. His eardrums are functioning perfectly as well.

This should be good news. This should be great news. But I can’t help but ask the proverbial “why then…?” Why then does he not respond to us? Why his is speech so delayed? Why does he get so frustrated at attempts to communicate, and then resort to biting, head butting, and hitting?

These are the questions that I can’t get out of my mind. Even though the audiologist was smiling at us, I could see there was a hint of worry in her eyes when I explained these things to her. She told me he could be very stubborn, good at ignoring us, or just developing on a different schedule. Then she paused and added that she was going to recommend that Ivan be referred to an Early Intervention program in her report to our pediatrician. Ivan would be evaluated, and if he qualifies, would go for weekly social and communication skills classes.

I’m still not sure how I feel about all of this. In many ways, deafness might be easier. What’s hard about this is that I can’t shake the feeling that something is just wrong.

I’m sorry, I don’t really feel like writing much. I’ll try to update more soon.

Heather