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I was brought to the CDC as a first time, single mom who was looking for any guidance. I heard about the ‘Follow Along’ program offered at the CDC and thought it was the perfect guidance I needed. It was so great, seeing where my son was along in his development, and tips of areas where we could work on. He was developing appropriately; however, it was great to see where he could focus on and what types of activities develop certain areas for him specifically.
The visits for the program were great; we were made to feel comfortable and not alone in any of the struggles we may see at home. The therapist was down there on the floor with my son and working with him while I was able to kind of sit back and monitor him and how the therapist interacted with him - which was a great learning tool for a new mom.
I was grateful that this program brought me to the CDC because as soon as my son went to daycare, he started having some issues with his peers. Biting was the most prominent problem at first. I found myself turning to the CDC for some tips and we were almost immediately able to understand why he was biting and corrected the issue. The tool that worked for him was to remind him what things were appropriate for biting (I provided him a baby chew toy to have on his body at daycare). While the biting was addressed, the issue of his frustration continued in other forms; being very rough with his peers. I know the daycare could only do so much, but it had me feeling very defeated and frankly, embarrassed. I felt like I was failing my son.
So again, the CDC was able to help. Childcare visits at the daycare took place and they were able to monitor what was going on, from a different perspective, and provide recommendations to correct the problem. This not only gave me some piece of mind, but also provided a bit of relief for the daycare.
These visits and observations by the CDC, led to the CDC recommending a full-time worker at the daycare; which eventually led to a successful correction for my son in his behaviour at daycare. The one-on-one worker was also able to provide some tools that helped him succeed in the group, that were different to the success of his peers. The CDC was able to provide tips to the daycare worker along the way and new programs for the daycare were provided, which was beneficial to all the children.
Eventually after about a year (he went down to a part-time worker within that year) the daycare said my son no longer required a worker at all. They were so amazed in the difference in him, and how he was not showing aggression towards his peers anymore; he was, in fact, showing compassion. As a mother, there was nothing better to hear than your son becoming a caring boy. While my son didn’t necessarily present a serious special need, I truly don’t believe we wouldn’t have had the same success if the CDC was not involved.
What I would share/want every parent to know: that I strongly encourage the ‘Follow Along’ program. Without that (luckily, I had heard about it through a friend), I would not have established that relationship with the CDC. Establishing that relationship opened up so many doors and assistance for myself and my son.
Some may never need it, but for those who do, it is seamless to attain access to the CDC once you already have. I have recommended this program to all my friends as they become parents 😊
Thank you for the opportunity to share my success at the CDC. I hope other parents are able to attain these services and don’t feel that this means they are failing as a parent, if there is something wrong with their child. This is an amazing tool to help you along the toughest job out there: Being a parent.