Using OT outside of the school system too, thoughts and experiences please!
smiling76
member
So DS1 who has speech apraxia but also has major sensory issues hasn't officially gotten OT on to his IEP--although they are adding it to it this fall. He has been getting it daily though---several times throughout his classroom time in fact because they know he really does need it--so kudos for that I suppose.
BUT I wonder how many have used an OT outside of the school system as well and how did that go? Did you see a big difference? Do you think being outside of the classroom might have some benefits (less distraction??)? I'm willing to try anything at this point. His behavior is OUT OF CONTROL---and I can't help but think it's mainly sensory related with a hint of jealousy of DS2. He is so violent I'm in tears every single day--and so is my 1 yr old. It's horrible.
Did insurance cover it? I don't think mine will, which sucks. DS1 needs physical therapy for at least a month for a gait issue and the closest one is not close at all and doesn't really work with kids. I'd much rather take him to a place that works with kids and know that he's with people who deal with THIS exact thing all the time. Even if it means I'm broke a bit longer.
Seriously--between his food allergies and those costs and all of the medical costs--- special needs is NOT cheap. May we ALL win the lottery some day ladies. LOL
My new "mom" blog: http://realityofamommy.blogspot.com
[img]
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]
Notes:
Re: Using OT outside of the school system too, thoughts and experiences please!
DS is getting OT outside of the school system. We have only been evaluated and we had one session.
AT the evaluation, I literally begged the OT therapist to take DS. I had a list of things that were sensory related. Whether that was necessary or not, I just knew DS needed some kind of help.
I called DS's EI OT therapist that he use to have for recommendations and I told her DS's insurance and they take his insurance. I had the pediatrician write a referral to get OT.
The only issue I have now is getting an appointment on Friday afternoons. They seem booked this week.
It sounds like you only need therapy for summer months. Can your pediatrician recommend somebody and do a referral? Maybe you can attend once a week so it will not be so costly to hold you over till fall.
We have a behavioral therapist, too. Auntie gave a good suggestion that you can look into.
I see we are in the same state. My insurance (BCBS of IL) covers my DS's OT & ST fully after deductible and coinsurance. OT may be helpful, my son's outside OT is completely different than his in school OT. The therapists use some of the same tricks to help during circle time and other seated work times, but his in school therapy does not have a sensory gym or swing or a slide or bean bags for crashing.
Do you have a developmental pediatrician? If so, I would recommend giving them a call. OT may be helpful, but other things may be more helpful and a good developmental pediatrician could help to point you in the correct direction. If you don't have a developmental pediatrician, then I would suggest making an appointment with your normal pediatrician to start the process of figuring out what is going on.
My DS has issues with hitting and head banging. OT (and ear tubes) have helped a lot with the head banging such that it is no longer an issue, but it has been less helpful with hitting. We are trying out a summer camp for special needs children and normal needs children that has a focus on behavioral issues and a parent training component. I am hopeful that we can get better compliance from my son and reduce the hitting before school starts.
Thomas ~ 07/07/2008 ~ 8 lbs, 5 oz
What's in my camera bag: Nikon D5000, Kit Lens 18-55mm, 55-200mm, 35mm 1.8G, 50mm 1.8G, 85mm 1.8G, Tamron 28-75mm, SB 600 Speedlight
Global Developmental Delay consisting of a receptive language delay and self help skills delay
We did talk about that at our end of year review in May--and that is something that they may do in the fall--we're going to be re-writing his IEP (again) then (3rd time).
I think the OT is actually working really well, I just wonder if maybe getting ideas from someone else might also help. He does well when he has a change of scenery and meets new people--so just thinking maybe it might help--not sure at all.
My new "mom" blog: http://realityofamommy.blogspot.com
[img]
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]
Notes:
I'm an OT, before this worked as a behavioral specialist, specifically ABA, and got to see a variety of non-traditional therapies that often can fall under "OT" like craniosacral therapy, dynamic listening, biofeedback, patterning. Did those help the specific child I was working with? I didn't see a big difference, however, there is anecdotal evidence these programs work.
Anyways, I have two points: One is to agree with a previous post that an outside OT will have a different approach, bags of tricks, and ability to address more issues than a school-based OT is confined to. Also, if you go with a home based therapist they can specificall work with you, and your approach with DS, his environment, etc. which may be beneficial. Off the top of my head i once worked with a child (and pediatrics is NOT my specialty) who had sensitive hearing. He would do hands over his ears/rocking in a certain room. The light would make a soft but terrible humming sound. I imagine it was like nails on a chalkboard to him. Eliminate the light and we eliminate one behavior (there were lots of others too though). I think an OT office that specializes in sensory disorders could also be beneficial, they have more equipment, more time, and more of a specialty, etc. that could be more attuned to DS needs. We have tons of them in the northeast.
The second point, is that there are a lot of alternative therapies that you may end up wasting your money one. The father of one girls I worked with for years once said "if I was told that soup would help her, I'd get the soup" meaning it's hard not to want to try everything and anything. Any center you call should have a list of parents that don't mind being referrals for the center, ask about that before you decide. Ask lots of questions before the appointment, visit ahead of time or over the phone, because you'll probably only get one assessment covered and you want it to be the best place for you.
In the meantime we often look at the "ABCs, i suggest keeping a little log (with all your free time right! lol) it'll help the therapist, OT or behavioral, as well as you.
Antecedent: what happens before a violent episode. It may take a long time to see a pattern (like discovering the food allergies). Is it a time of day, is it when a siren goes by, the tv changes, the phone rings, ds2 gets something, etc.
Behavior: what happens. physical aggression to environment? person? yelling? etc.
Consequences: attention from you, removal from the room (and possible stimulus), sensory input/ alignment (that's not the right word, it's been a while)
when you find out the antecedent you can sometimes remove the cause, or offer a more appropriate behavioral option, and then hopefully the consequences can be even more helpful.
Good luck