Updated RE: SPD diagnosis

curlylocks007

This past Wednesday at his CHOP Dev Ped appointment, my son was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder (Sensory Modulation Dysfunction).  He turns 3 this summer and just had his eval through the IU.  He currently receives OT, SI and Speech, once per week through EI.  According to the IEP that my IU service coordinator just sent me, he will only receive OT, once per month and SI once per week.  I knew he wouldn't qualify for speech anymore, but I'm appalled that they're trying to get away with only once per month for OT.  Anyone have an experience like this?  I Intend to contest the IEP.  Also, the IU is not aware that he received a diagnosis, so I hope that may help.

 

UPDATE:

Just finished up with IEP meeting and OT was changed from 1x per month, to 1x per week.  Yay!  Thanks for all the help! 

Princess_Lily

Can you pay for private OT sessions out of school?  Your insurance may cover your child, or they may not...but its worth a shot.

curlylocks007

-auntie-:

What specific skills does he need to access the curriculum as a preschooler does he need? 

 

Not sure what this means.  Can you rephrase for a newbie?  I did email the Service Coordinator and told her I do not approve of the IEP.  She emailed me back and said it is just a draft and we can discuss at our meeting.   

curlylocks007

Princess_Lily:

Can you pay for private OT sessions out of school?  Your insurance may cover your child, or they may not...but its worth a shot.

We currently paying for weekly private OT  in addition to the weekly OT through EI.  We  plan to continue that as well.

Princess_Lily

I am currently reading the "outofsync child," its really a good read.

Now it says that usually with a stand alone dx of SPD, many districts insurances will not cover therapy after a certain age 3yo. This may bep the case for your situation. Now in order to allow said therapy you must sign the form they provide, if you don't agree you could always try to see if there are any other options to facilitate further support from the school.


If you feel your child needs more therapy than 1x per month, you may need to consider a financial obligation to set aside private therapy sessions outside of the school.

curlylocks007

-auntie-:

curlylocks007:

-auntie-:

What specific skills does he need to access the curriculum as a preschooler does he need? 

 

Not sure what this means.  Can you rephrase for a newbie?  I did email the Service Coordinator and told her I do not approve of the IEP.  She emailed me back and said it is just a draft and we can discuss at our meeting.   

Gotcha!  Thank you so much.  The Service coordinator did seem open to hear what I have to say, we'll see how much of a difference that makes.  His diagnosis does influence his behavior in that he can not sit still because he is constantly "seeking".  His attention is very, very short.  Certain activities cause him to be overstimulated and kind of go crazy.  In order to be able to participate in preschool he will need help learning to sit for coloring, circle time etc...

Your explanation has helped me realize I will need to formulate a more organized response the the IEP draft, so thank you so much! 

Strictly speaking, you are a member of the Committee for Special Education/Child Study Team and should be an active participant in writing the IEP. A lot of times school districts will write something ahead of time and expect the parent to sign. Other times they will send a draft from which the team will work to fine tune the eventual document.   

At 3, services are all based around his occupation as a student. While he will need to be classified under a disability for his IEP, a dx alone doesn't "beget" services or accommodations. He has to demonstrate an "educational need". Let's say a child has sensory issues and can't tolerate art materials like glue or finger paints on his hands. Or he has issues knowing where his body is in space and can't use the playground equipment. Those would be skills he needs to master to do what is expected of a child in preschool.

curlylocks007

curlylocks007:

-auntie-:

curlylocks007:

-auntie-:

What specific skills does he need to access the curriculum as a preschooler does he need? 

 

Not sure what this means.  Can you rephrase for a newbie?  I did email the Service Coordinator and told her I do not approve of the IEP.  She emailed me back and said it is just a draft and we can discuss at our meeting.   

Gotcha!  Thank you so much.  The Service coordinator did seem open to hear what I have to say, we'll see how much of a difference that makes.  His diagnosis does influence his behavior in that he can not sit still because he is constantly "seeking".  His attention is very, very short.  Certain activities cause him to be overstimulated and kind of go crazy.  In order to be able to participate in preschool he will need help learning to sit for coloring, circle time etc...

Your explanation has helped me realize I will need to formulate a more organized response the the IEP draft, so thank you so much! 

Strictly speaking, you are a member of the Committee for Special Education/Child Study Team and should be an active participant in writing the IEP. A lot of times school districts will write something ahead of time and expect the parent to sign. Other times they will send a draft from which the team will work to fine tune the eventual document.   

At 3, services are all based around his occupation as a student. While he will need to be classified under a disability for his IEP, a dx alone doesn't "beget" services or accommodations. He has to demonstrate an "educational need". Let's say a child has sensory issues and can't tolerate art materials like glue or finger paints on his hands. Or he has issues knowing where his body is in space and can't use the playground equipment. Those would be skills he needs to master to do what is expected of a child in preschool.

 

Sorry, somehow I stuck my response in the Middle of yours....

 

Gotcha!  Thank you so much.  The Service coordinator did seem open to hear what I have to say, we'll see how much of a difference that makes.  His diagnosis does influence his behavior in that he can not sit still because he is constantly "seeking".  His attention is very, very short.  Certain activities cause him to be overstimulated and kind of go crazy.  In order to be able to participate in preschool he will need help learning to sit for coloring, circle time etc...

Your explanation has helped me realize I will need to formulate a more organized response the the IEP draft, so thank you so much! 

curlylocks007

Princess_Lily:

I am currently reading the "outofsync child," its really a good read. Now it says that usually with a stand alone dx of SPD, many districts insurances will not cover therapy after a certain age 3yo. This may bep the case for your situation. Now in order to allow said therapy you must sign the form they provide, if you don't agree you could always try to see if there are any other options to facilitate further support from the school. If you feel your child needs more therapy than 1x per month, you may need to consider a financial obligation to set aside private therapy sessions outside of the school.

 

The Dev. Ped suggested "Out of Sync Child"  and I do plan on reading that.  I do understand that in order the access the therapy, I will need to eventually sign the IEP, but I hope I can negotiate a little more before I sign.  We shall see...

 We plan to continue the private OT we are receiving and may consider upping it if we can't get more through the County.