Add us to the list of EI kids

jennieliz

Carter was referred today for low muscle tone and developmental delays.  I'm sad, but I'm glad he's going to get what he needs.  Any tips on how to deal with EI?  I'm going to call them once both kids go down for a nap and find out where to go from here.  We were also refered to a private physical therapist.

Septmomtobe

You might want to check out the special needs board.  Many of us on that board receive EI services for one reason or another.  I called for speech therapy, had an evaluation within 2-3 weeks and began services about 2 weeks after that.  It was all a pretty quick process for me (I'm in PA).

Heather

wellfleet04

I'm sorry. I know it can be hard to hear that something isn't 100% "normal" about your kid.  I know it was hard for me, at least, and there is nothing "wrong" with Kate, she's just slow/late. 

 As for EI, it varies by state, but in MA first they do an intake visit where they take personal info, and then they come back a couple of weeks later to do the assessment.  They'll assess him in all areas of development (gross and fine motor, self help, receptive and expressive language and social).  It's like play for them, and they'll ask you a lot of questions on what he can/can't do.  After that, they'll determine if he has enough of a delay to qualify for services, which varies from state to state.  Kate did qualify for gross motor, but we did private PT instead because it was covered by insurance and going to be more frequent than EI would have been.

 GL!

meags

We had EI for a significant speech delay, and it was amazing.  Have you had the evaluation yet, or just the referral?  I would suggest that whatever services he gets, try to observe the therapist as much as you can.  Our therapist told me that some parents will do other things around the house while she worked with the kids, but I liked to sit in on each appointment even though it felt a little weird, as long as I wasn't distracting DS.  Then I could use her methods and techniques as well. 

I'm sure it varies place to place, but in my experience they were very helpful and supportive, and guided us through the whole process.   I never felt like I had to be on the offensive or "fight" to get what I thought my son needed.

Littlejen22

It takes forever to start (DD is in PT and DS was in speech) so do private until you can get a therapist through EI  This will sound bad but if you really think he needs it, do not point out his recent milestones b/c that can test him ahead - when my DD was tested she just started rolling (after 2 months of private PT) that week but when asked I said no b/c she needed to be farther behind, oh and she really does need EI since she is diagnosed with scoliosis and torticolis.