please forgive the rambling mode
I had the developmental interventionist come today to work with Frass. Frass was seen by the state's early intervention program and she qualified for being speech delayed. However, because she is under 2 they recommend the speech therapy once a month, and bi weekly they recommend a developmental interventionist (wtf is that ?). I decided to go with the an outside speech therapist b/c it would be covered by my insurance, where the EI folks would not. The EI folks would be 70 bucks for an hour of service. That would be once a week (i declined twice a week b/c really we can't afford once a week), with the DI, and once a month with the SLP. The outside SPL recommended speech once a week for a half hour, and that is at 25 bucks. Simple math says go with the outside SPL.
Frass went twice to the outside lady and responded well. However, I really did want to see what the DI was all about. They come to your house. For an hour. She was good. I inquire if after working with Frass she felt she still needs a DI and not the SLP. Of course she still needs the DI she says...yada yada yada (in my head I hear...70 bucks 70 bucks)
The outside SLP, says she doesn't need a DI, and that the EI folks are saying that b/c they do not have enough SLP's out there. argghhhh.
So I am at a crossroads of what to do. I thought go with the cheaper route. However, maybe it makes more sense for her to go with the DI (comes to house and is an hour), which means it really is only 20 bucks more. What to do ? I hate this feeling. I want what is best for my daughter, but I don't want to get hoodwinked(yea I just used that word, screwed or roached would be better huh). Any SLP out there ? Any DI teachers out there ?
Just as an FYI, Frass is taking to the therapy very well and I can see that she is trying and saying more. I am sure that she will be speaking soon enough with the help. I really don't see her being delayed by the time she gets to pre school.
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10 comments:
Check out and see if there are any 'Birth to Three' type programs in your area - they often have free access to Early Interventionists - they have a program in this city and it is funded by United Way - I used to take Miss E to their playgroup - where they mixed 50% at risk kids (delayed, or with sensory issues etc) with 50% typical kids (which is why we were there).
I hear you on the money thing - having been through many many tests with my son I have asked myself this exact question- because I couldn't and can't see anything wrong with him!
I've got no good advice for you, just sending a hug your way...I know it's no fun to not be quite sure what to do next.
Ooooo...that's a toughie. I guess I don't understand what the DI does, and why it's important. But, if I read that correctly, you'd be doing the DI *and* the SLP, so it would be more than $20/week ...right? I would probably tend toward the SLP because that's where your main concerns lie, and then have them reevaluate in 6 months and see if everything is okay. Is re-evaluation an option?
It sounds like either way she is showing signs of improvement, which is the thing to keep in mind.
EI suggested speech therapy only once a month? That sounds like it would not lead to much progress.
My 2yo DD qualified for speech services, and we have SLP once a week for an hour.
Forgive me if this has been asked before, but is your speech therapist utilizing sign language at all?
Oh, just thought of this after I posted, but what about seeing a Developmental Pediatrician instead of that DI person?
karen
yes the EI only said speech once a month. they say b/c she is not 2 yet that she needs the DI not an SPL. However the SPL i went to on my own, said that EI will say that purely b/c there are not enough SLP out there. the SLP she is saying now (on my own) has not been doing signs, but the DI (only saw once) did a TON of signs and my daughter took to the signs RIGHT away. of course adding to my confusion of what is better for her. i have her well visit monday so i will talk it ou with the doc and hope to get some REAL answers.
It's hard to know what to do sometimes, isn't it?
((hug)) I hope this weekend helps to bring some clarity to the situation.
I really struggled as to whether or not I should say this. I still sit here telling my self not to say it, because I don't want to crush any hopes. I know how important the positive outlook is at this time. And please know I'm not meaning to burst that. I'm just wanting to warn you about a potential hidden wall that *some* moms hit and when they do, it is crushing. You may not experience this, but at least if it's on your radar, and you do happen to find yourself in a similar situation, it won't be as big of a blow.
So, my dd did 2 yrs of Speech Therapy and one of OT, both private and through EI. She was doing AMAZINGLY! Her speech had taken off dramatically (over 600 words, full paragraphs) and I was certain we had turned the corner. EI felt the same way and we were ready to discontinue therapy and graduate out of the program last summer. We just had to go in for the official eval even though we knew (with out a doubt) that it was just a formality. That's when I met the wall. The wall hurt. My little snuglet did not fly through with an impressed testing team as I had predicted, but actually qualified for continues services and therapeutic preschool! Our EI is free, so I know they don't just want our $. I was in absolute shock and dismay! And this is when they told me about the wall that kids tend to hit. They progress by leaps and bounds and hit a plateau, then progress again and hit another plateau or even fall backwards a bit. They said the Moms usually don't notice because we are around them all the time and have learned to understand the way in which they speak and also to compensate for all their sensory quirks. Our EI team missed it because she had slipped backwards in the last month and didn't have a visit during that time.
My son was diagnosed with SID(sensory Integration Disorder), severe speech apraxia, and feeding disorder(possible borderline autism) at 22 months. We went with the ped's recommendations for therapists. Thanksfully our insurance paid for everything.
The best advice that I can offer is to follow your instincts, that gut feeling inside you that tells you if this is right. Is your child responding well? We went through several SP and OT (occupational Therapists) until we found the perfect fit for our son. WOW - what a difference. We went to Speech 3x's a week for 6 months, OT 2Xs a week for 6 months. The feeding therapy was torture and I had to stop it for the sake of my little boy. The miracles that are worked with these wonderful therapists. As long as it is a great fit with your child. Not all therapists are there to help the children, some are there just for the glory and the money!! FUll steam ahead with the therapy I say! I am a HUGE advocate of therapy for children with sensory issues!!!! I am happy to say that my son is almost 7, he was in therapy for 2 years and today is in advanced classes at his school. To think he couldn't speak one syllable until he was almost 3 years old!
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