Intro, speech eval results and a question (ASD related)

Carolina_in_my_mind · May 2012

Hi all! I posted a little bit ago about DS, who is almost 3 1/2. I have been concerned about him because he has communication issues and shows some red flags for ASD. So, I set him up with development evaluations at the public school. He had his speech eval today, and will have his general eval tomorrow.

The speech therapist says that DS will definitely qualify for speech therapy, which is great news for me. I know that he needs it. She also mentioned (without me voicing my concerns) that she sees some red flags for autism, though she says that he would likely be high functioning if he is on spectrum.

Tomorrow, if he is found to be behind in other areas (which she and I both think he will based on our conversation and her observations), he will qualify for special education and be admitted into their[p- preschool program in September.

My question is this: will the school district give him a diagnosis based on these evaluations if he is seen to be on spectrum? I asked the therapist, and she said that they may give him a educational diagnosis that would work into his IEP. I guess I'm just looking for other's experiences with this.

Also, if he is getting the resources he needs via the school system, is it still important to seek an "official" diagnosis from a developmental ped? Just wondering because there aren't a lot of them around here, and they have pretty long waitlists, so if I need to get him an appt, I should do it ASAP.

Thanks for your help! I have a feeling I'll be hanging out here more often, and have lots more questions as we go along.

far_more_than_rubies · May 2012

It is really important that you seek an official diagnosis. In my state (IL) what you are describing would receive an IEP for a developmental delay(s) in the areas in which they find a delay. You can have this label from age 3-9. You are getting him in the door, but that's just the beginning.

I'm sure a lot of people on this board will have more detailed responses for you. I am surprised that the speech person did not encourage you to follow up with your doctor.

Good luck!

mum2jack&littleb · May 2012

Call Kennedy Krieger (KKI) in B'more - 443.923.9200 is their main line. The wait was much much much much faster than going to Children's. They have been worth more than gold to our family!

Carolina_in_my_mind · May 2012

mum2jack&littleb:
Call Kennedy Krieger (KKI) in B'more - 443.923.9200 is their main line. The wait was much much much much faster than going to Children's. They have been worth more than gold to our family!

Thanks for the recommendation! Do they take your insurance, or do you have to pay out of pocket? The drive to Baltimore would be over 1 1/2 hrs. (I live in WV on the panhandle) but I'm willing to make the drive a few times if it's the best place to go with the shortest wait.

ABColeslaw · May 2012

You're more likely to see the term "Specific Learning Disability in the area of __________" or more likely since he is so young he may be either classified as "Developmental Delay" or "Communication Impairment, receptive or expressive" If the school system thinks you LO has Autism, they will recommend social emotional goals in the IEP and supports including social group, Occupational Therapy and access to a counselor, but it is outside their scope to make an official diagnosis of autism.

Want a personalized experience?

Intro, speech eval results and a question (ASD related)

Re: Intro, speech eval results and a question (ASD related)

Choose Another Board

Search Boards