I was notified yesterday that Kit Cat's DAP, ETR and IEP have been scheduled. The date for her DAP or play based assessment is September 19th while the ETR which is where we get the results of the assessments and find out if she qualifies for special education services is September 26th. I have an advocate, two teachers from Cat's school, and her Early Intervention Specialist coming to the ETR. I am nervous, scared and excited all at once. Everyone at Early Intervention and her school tells me that she will qualify and we will be able to get her Autism Scholarship that will cover her tuition and therapies when she turns three in November. I hope that she does and my gut says she will but there is still the doubt in the back of my mind.
We have worked with Early Intervention for over a year and I am going to miss Leslie, Brooke and Lauren who have been there for us and worked with Kit Cat. But Kit Cat also has wonderful people at her school that she will still see and work with her: Kate, Lynlee, Sheri, Stacy, Ellen, Jennie, Adrienne and Jane. I can't believe that we are making this big leap but it will be well worth it. It is just hard to realize that Kit Cat is not a baby anymore and is truly a little girl that is growing more every day in a variety of ways.
She has come so far in a year when we began this journey. She now has 20-30 words, points, has improved eye contact, uses PECS to communicate, plays with toys more appropriately and interacts with her family and friends more each day. My main goal is to give her the tools to help navigate this world and for people to accept her for who she is, autism or not. As long as she is happy that is all that matters in the end.
