WWYD? (Some background, so may be long)
CABunny
member
DS is currently in speech therapy for a delay in expressive language (he's 2 yrs, 7 months and tested around 9 months behind if I remember correctly). We're doing this privately; I basically brought up my concerns to the pedi and he referred us for a speech eval. No EI involvement.
We've done six sessions so far. The first two were rough (DS crying, pointing to the door, saying "no" the whole time), the second two much better, then at session five an intern was brought in to observe and that session went to he!!, session six the therapist was sick so the intern did the whole thing - and yes, that session was useless too.
I realize these things take a lot of time, but my concerns are 1) I feel like the sessions are rushed (i.e., I get there on time but it takes her 10 minutes to get us from the lobby but then we finish on schedule), 2) I have no "homework" to work on at home - I do what I think is good, but I'm no specialist and 3) we've "wasted" two sessions already because of DS' resistance to the new person in the room (the intern).
A couple days before each session I try to really talk it up with DS, saying that on Monday we're going to play with Miss ___ and what book would you like her to read and do you want to play with the train, etc., but he gets really distressed and cries and says no. Ugh.
I called EI today and they basically said that I should just continue to work with the existing therapist since even if we did an eval through them & they agreed that therapy was necessary that I would have to go through my insurance anyway.
I'm beginning to get "mommy gut" that there is something else going on with DS, perhaps some sensory issues (sounds)/anxiety to new situations.
Next Monday, I definitely plan to bring up my concerns with the speech therapy directly with the therapist.
But honestly, I'm not sure who to bring up my other concerns with. Do you think I should call the pedi, talk to the speech therapist, or someone I'm not thinking of? Just feeling a little lost at the moment, so any suggestions are much appreciated.
TIA!
Re: WWYD? (Some background, so may be long)
CA I know is facing some budget cuts etc so they might not be the most encouraging to have a new case BUT I would insist on a formal EI evaluation. If you are just having speech issues, than you can stick w/your current therapist. BUT what if it is something more profound? My son came in w/a speech delay, got diagnosed w/Sensory Intergration and was referred for futher eval... now we are waiting to see a Pediatric Development Specialist and Advanced EI team b/c they think he has possible Asperbergers. If we had just stuck w/the idea of speech delay, we would still be banging our heads against the wall b/c until you deal w/the other things you don't get anywhere on the speech.
Also I think it is important to get him through the EI system before he turns 3 b/c if your child has enough delays he can qualify for public schools pre-k and that is state subsidized (not through your insurance)! These pre-k programs can be awesome! It might be a good next step.
I agree with both previous posters I get you son in EI because you can use it to transition to the school system. I went though EI and paid a copay and it was very worth it they helped me with everything to transition my son to school year after only a year of EI.
Also they never rushed their sessions and I was provided with a write up of each session they told me what I need to work on with my son as well as meetings upon request.
Additionally always trust you mommy gut its there for a reason. My son was not very verbal at two years of age but I had family and friends tell me oh he's a boy its fine or that nothing was wrong and it was in my head or I was projecting my nephew's issue on my son (nephew has downs and has been in EI for 3 years.) Short end of the story I was right aand I trusted my gut by call EI to evaluate him. He was diagnoised with SPD. 1 year later he's in preschool in the elmentry school recieving OT and Speech and he is a totally different child then when he begun. Follow your instincts and Good luck.
Thank you so much! DH thinks that DS will "grow out" of his speech delay and other stuff so I'm kind of alone on this one at home so it's great to get some support & reinforcement here.
Thanks again.
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I know! This would be major for us. Major. I think I'll ask our current therapist if they offer this service. I'm sure the answer will be no, but it doesn't hurt to ask, right?
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My BIL and MY SIL thought this as well with their son when the DOCTOR recommended speech therapy when he wasn't verbal for about 3 years. They ignored it and hoped he would grow out of it, While he is verbal now 7 years later he has problem with certain letters and will now be getting speech therapy in school but I can't help thinking if they listened to the doctor earlier they may not have had to worry about this.
I would want to get an EI evaluation. You're not obligated to do therapy with them given an eval. If your hesitancy is a matter of liking your therapist or feeling indebted to her in some way--you could keep her on the side.
Another bit of info., EI is free in some areas and on a sliding scale in other areas. . . meaning that what you pay depends on your income (in terms of % of cost). Ie. Some people will get EI free, others will need to pay $20 each time a therapist comes out, others will need to pay the whole thing.
The quality of EI varies greatly, depending on the individual program's philosophies and the individual therapists you get. Even from county to county within a state--they're all completely different.
In either case I wanted to clarify just in case you didn't go through with EI . . . You do not have to have been involved eith Early Intervention to qualify for preschool special ed services. Every area has a mandated Child Find where they are obligated to screen your child for preschool, given a parent concern. You can call the school or find it on their website. The school has to agree that there is a concern in order to get services, but they can't deny you the service because you didn't do birth-3. If you think you want to use that in preschool that tells me you really think there is a problem and I'm not sure why you'd hold off on the other services (if he needs PT/OT/early childhood special ed)--given the importance of early intervention. However, if DS truly needs it--it will be there. . .
As one of the PP mentioned a developmental pediatrician will be more helpful than your regular ped. They usually take quite a while to get into.
Hope that helps!
Same issue my nephew's having R sounds I wonder how that works.