Life brings us challenges that send us in totally different directions that we never dreamed we would travel.  Amy (not her real name) went to college immediately out of high school with no direction for her life.  She had fun, but she did not put much effort into her studies. She worked in various professions before reentering college.  Now at forty-two years old, she is a senior studying child development.  Making any grade less than a B is unacceptable.  In fact, it gives her great pleasure to have achieved the honor of being on the Dean’s list.

“I am interested in child development because I have a heart for children.  I understand what parents are going through and want to help them,” states Amy.

Over thirteen years ago, Amy delivered her 2 lb. 3oz., 14 inches long, daughter at thirty weeks gestation.  It was discovered that Amy had HELLP syndrome. She had seven surgeries in fifteen days after the birth.  HELLP syndrome is a life-threatening pregnancy complication usually considered to be a variant of preeclampsia. HELLP syndrome can be explained by H (hemolysis, which is the breaking down of red blood cells), EL (elevated liver enzymes) and LP (low platelet count).  

Soon after the birth, the doctors and nurses began discussing Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) services with her.  Amy was terrified that her daughter was so small and was born so early.  She also feared that she could lose the infant.  After seven weeks in the neonatal unit, her daughter was able to come home weighing 3lbs. 11 oz.   It was so scary for her to bring the tiny infant home.   

ECI services were called in to help this premature infant and the parents.  The ECI team worked with the family as a whole and met the needs of each member. 

"We would have been lost without ECI guiding us to the right resources.  The staff is very thorough with everything and really amazing.  They seem to truly care for the children, and they do not give up on them,” says Amy.  

Soon after arriving home, the baby began having ear infection after ear infection.  When the daughter started saying words, it sounded like she was talking under water.  ECI provided speech therapy at that point.  The daughter is now a typical thirteen-year-old in the seventh grade.  

Almost three years ago, Amy gave birth to a son weighing 4lbs. 4oz.  who was born at thirty-two weeks gestation.  He stayed in the neonatal unit for three weeks before coming home. 

“I knew he would need ECI services also. He has received service coordination and occupational, physical and speech therapy.  He is doing well and will be three years old in November.  ECI is working with us to be assessed by the local school district for their services when he turns three.  He will still need speech therapy and his fine motor skills may need some improvement.  I have two miracle children, and I am so thankful for them,” ends Amy. 

ECI serves children zero to thirty-six months of age who have developmental delays in some area.  The program is designed to encourage and assist parents with an infant or a child who appears to be slow in development or who have certain medical conditions that usually result in developmental delay.  The program provides developmental and support services for infants and children by working with the parent and other primary caregiver to show them how to incorporate treatment techniques into the child’s and family’s daily routines so that the child is receiving special assistance on a daily basis in multiple ways.  Services include:

•   screening, assessment, and referral
•   developmental services provided in the home and community-based settings 
•   related services such as: occupational, speech, and/or physical therapy
•   family support and training
•   special equipment, toy, book, and video lending library 
•   service coordination for the child and family
•   referral and transition services
•   other services specific to child and family needs

Anyone may refer a child to ECI by calling 903-957-4810.  ECI serves Cooke, Fannin, Grayson, Delta, Lamar and Hopkins counties.  ECI Texoma is funded by Department of Assistive and Rehabilitation Services and hosted by Texoma Community Center (formerly Mental Health Mental Retardation Services of Texoma).