"She's not going to qualify."

I never knew how happy I would be to hear those words!  In most cases, we would think, if you didn't qualify for something, have a negative connotation.  Not this time.

Right now, Catie receives services for speech from the Golden Gate Regional Center.  When she turns 3, she will start receiving services from the Marin County Office of Education.  Today we had our first transition meeting with Pat (our contact at the regional center) and Terry from Marin County Office of Education.  We walked in and Catie immediately went to the toy box, picked up a dinosaur and said "dinosaur"!  I looked at Pat and said "She just said dinosaur!  She's  never said that before!"  So of course, Catie said "dinosaur" again!  Then she picked up a toy apple and said "apple! apple! apple!"  It was awesome!  

We spent awhile talking about Catie and all the changes and progress she's been making.  Pat hadn't seen Catie since she had her tubes put in and had only heard me telling her and of course getting reports from Catie's speech therapist and home teacher.  Both she and Terry were so impressed with all Catie's progress and Terry commented a few times on how bright he could tell she was and how he thought she was going to continue to make huge gains in her verbal communication.  Of course I was eating up with a giant smile on my face!

We discussed our areas of concern with Catie's development and Terry let me know what kind of speech services County Office of Education offers.  He then told me that Catie will definitely qualify to receive services and will be evaluated in about 6 weeks to see which program will fit her best. 

At the end of the meeting Pat told me that before Catie officially transfers they could evaluate her one more time to see if the Regional Center could still offer her services along side the County Office of Eduction.  I said that I didn't know they could offer her services after she turned 3.  Then she said...

"Well, she would have to be diagnosed with Autistism, Cerebral Palsy, or Down Syndrome to continue receiving services from the Regional Center after she turns 3."

And Terry said...

"She's not going to qualify."

And Pat said...

"No, she's not going to qualify."

That's the best news I have ever heard.