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Special Needs
Update: Preschool Evals
I posted last week about DS's speech evaluation and the concerns that DS has a few red flags for ASD. The speech therapist said that DS is definitely delayed in speech and communication and that he'd start speech therapy in September when the special needs preschool resumes.
The following day, we went for an evaluation with the special ed teacher. She said that the majority of his difficulties look to revolve around his speech and communication delays and that they do not seem ASD related. However, she did say that he has gross motor and self help delays, and that she thinks that those stem from low muscle tone (he can't peddle a trike, kick a ball, sits in the "W" pose, isn't potty trained, doesn't dress himself at almost 3.5 yrs old).
The good news is that he does qualify for the full time special needs preschool and will go 4 days a week for 3.5 hrs a day starting in September. I think he will benefit greatly from the physical and speech therapy that they are planning. I'm hoping they'll also help him with the potty training, as I have tried everything and am stuck!
A couple of questions: It seems like waiting until September for services is too long to wait. Should I seek out private speech and physical therapy while we wait? Our insurance is good and should help.
Also, anyone have any suggestions as to some things I can do at home to help with low muscle tone? I have been correcting his "W" sitting pose and have been trying to keep him active and using his muscles.
Thanks for all the feedback before. I appreciate any advice, as I'm new to this and pretty overwhelmed with all the stuff going on!
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Re: Update: Preschool Evals
Curious - how did the SLP/Teacher come up w/ their conclusion? Did they perform any standardized testing or this is just opinion from her brief interaction with him?
It's good he qualified for the program, our experience w/ the preschool programs in our area have been great.
As for next steps - have you been to a Developmental Pediatrician? I would get an appointment with one for a more formal assesment. Sometimes there can be a bit of a wait for an appointment. And if you seek services outside of school you may need an order from a doctor in order for insurance to pay. I would def look into services available outsdie of school services.
GL!
The speech therapist observed him playing, asked he (and I) some questions, used props for vocab etc. It was pretty informal. The special ed teacher, however, was a little more structured and performed a standardized evaluation with him. I'm not sure what it was, but it involved him pointing to and explaining pictures, putting together blocks and puzzles and performing physical tasks. Before that evaluation, she observed him playing and interacting with his sister (who came along) and asked me some questions.
As for the developmental ped, I haven't gotten him an appointment yet, but I will be doing so ASAP. I know that there are wait lists, so I'm hoping that we won't have to wait too long.