[Amber76]

I've seen schools that do choose to do evaluations in a room away from the parent, but I'd sure be asking to either be allowed to be in the room or for them to make a video that you can watch. When we had our state's early intervention team here to look at an issue for Ben (which he had already stopped having in the 3 weeks it took to get the eval done) they did a crappy report and wrote up an evaluation that, in my opinion, did not even come close to showing what my son really can and cannot do. When I asked for details about exactly how they assessed certain things, they sure couldn't tell me-just kept saying things like "well I didn't see him kicking much" when they never saw him in any position except sitting up. At least with the video you could refer back and ask where they got their info. IMHO that's the least they can do if they are going to take your 3 year old into a strange room with strange people.

[nannyisme2004]

*lease excuse the ***'s in the res*onse. the letter * (the one after o and before q) is missing from my keyboard and so I have substituted * for it. So ha**y decifering

I have a friend who works as a s*ecial education *reschool teacher and this is what she had to say: The first thing you need to do is get a MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS...she strongly recommended a nuerodevelo*mental *sychologist. Ask around your area and find out who is the best. If there is a Children's Hos*ital in your area they may be able to hel* you with a diagnosis or refer you to someone who is well qualified.

once you have a medical diagnosis they should be able to qualify him for services based on that. In washington state children ages 3-5 qualify in 5 basic areas cognitive (letters/colors etc...which isn't a concern for your child), ada*tive (self-hel* skills), communication, *hysical (fine and gross motor) and social. It sounds like he should qualify in the area of social skills.

If you are not able to get the hel* you feel your child needs, consider hiring a *arent advocate that will hel* you advocate (obviously) for your child. They often know how to work with school districts and say the right things.

Also...find out who in the area is an ASD s*ecialist (autism disorder s*ecialist) and consider taking your son to see them. Given some of the behaviors it would be good to rule that out or in.

Also, she strongly recommends finding a *arent su**ort grou* in your area for *arents of s*ecial needs children. They will be a great source of information for you in regards to doctors, school districts, s*ecial *rograms etc. If you are going through it, someone else has gone through it before you.

[becky]

I agree that it sounds as if the only way you are going to qualify is under the OHI 'label'. The problem with that is that the school system cannot diagnose it since it is a health issue. A doctor must diagnose the problem, then the school can put in a plan of action to meet the needs of the child.

You can wait until your evaluation, but then when you do not qualify under any other label for special services, they will tell you that you have to get a medical diagnosis and it may take months to schedule another meeting.

Call today...get your appointment with a specialist scheduled. As someone else mentioned, it may take a while to get in.

Ultimately, they will not provide services if your child's issue does not affect his ability to learn. While you can predict what the future may be like, there is no way at this point for the school to know. If he was in a preschool setting, it would be typical for the school to come and observe him in the classroom to see how his social behavior affected his learning. It may be difficult to recreate that at home during testing.

I wish the best for you, and I agree...you are his best advocate. Have your information ready, and do not take no for an answer. If they say he doesn't qualify, ask what you need to have for him to qualify. Keep pushing.

If you do not get services now, there may be some independent social services organizations that could help you. I know costs are high, but sometimes these organizations can help.

Good Luck!!

[mommytoEli]

Originally Posted by krafmatic

On the bright side (in a sick and twisted sort of way) - if they take him to a seperate room is he going to get really anxious and start making carpet angels? I say this because during the initial meeting with a school official Gabe was in full autistic mode...not making eye contact, emotionally walled off...and to top it off he started "humping the floor" his SI/anxiety thing. I guarentee she left our house thinking that Gabe was in serious need of some kind of help. I hate that people never see him at his best (just us at home) but in this case it helped close the deal.
Gotta love our quirky kids!

i'm sorry...i know our children's disabilities are not funny....but i had to laugh out loud at the sight of your child doing this....lol.....i guess i'll just be glad eli is stuck on carpet angels...lol!

[SKL]

I was thinking too - if you just keep mum about what he can & can't do, maybe the stress of the situation will stop him from looking like an academic genius and increase the chance that he will get services. You could sort out the details later. I am not suggesting "lying," but why volunteer information if you don't need to?

I thought about this when considering having my older daughter evaluated for speech. She has always had a decent vocabulary but hardly ever spoke to anyone but me. Well, I figured if she were tested they would find her "qualifying" because she would probably just slump down and stare at the floor while sucking on her teddy bear. That's how she gets when she's stressed out. (I decided against testing mainly because the last thing she needed was more stress.)

[angelkisses0102]

My DS was first screened by two therapists (ST and PT) through the school district at age 3.5 (I was in the room)...plus I had a very comprehensive form to complete as well as my detailed history of DS. In his full evaluation...DH & I both were present as well as an OT, PT, ST, the head school district psychologist (knowledgeable on IA/PI kids) and an ESE (special needs/gifted) representative.

You need to gear this toward how it will impact him educationally and not stress the sensory issues...our school district does NOT address the SPD only. DS qualified for his IEP and special needs classes due to severe speech impairment and significant developmental delays but his sensory issues are addressed daily in his special needs classroom...no therapists other than speech through the district. However he gets no therapy through the district for sensory issues...that was addressed through private OT and now intensive home therapy.

Now that he will age out of his current program (once he turns 6) he will qualify for continuing speech issues and will most likely be labeled as OHI (other health impaired) based on ADHD like behaviors (not medicated or DXed as of right now.)

Good luck...I completely agree about getting an outside evaluation ASAP.

[iwantmybaby]

Girl I have lived this nightmare, well part of it anyway. I'm sorry. You know how I feel about that school. However, the truth is, and I have learned this the hard way...as far as the school's involvement; if it does not effect the child academically they will NOT render services. Nathan is receiving OT at school only because he was already in speech, so it wasn't an issue to add those services. However, when I finally get a response from the therapist there, it's always "he's fine." I also learned they are not working on ANY sensory therapy that does not relate to school work. As an example, they will only do things to help him with his writing, coloring, etc. Things like that. He doesn't really need therapy for those things. They don't get the sandbox and work on tactile sensory issues. So, my pediatrician says the type of services offered through school are not exactly the complete picture of what a child may need. If he really needs intervention you probably are going to have to seek it elsewhere. I have done just that. However, I am now on my own. Long story, I'll spare you. Or fill you in another time. Our insurance covered zilch of the cost. I can tell you there are some places that will work with you on the money part.

Can I just say, all that stuff Eli can do at age 3 is amazing!!! I think I should go right now, wake up Joseph and make him get to work!!! JJ (but a little serious)

Tracy

[Mindybeth6]

Brook....I understand your frustration but when push comes to shove the simple fact is that SID is NOT included in No Child Left Behind as a stand alone disability:-( As long as he is OK academically, he will likely NOT receive services. I am in the same boat....we meet with Mikayla's school next month and our insurance does NOT include OT, even though she needs it.

[Mindybeth6]

[quote=SKL]I was thinking too - if you just keep mum about what he can & can't do, maybe the stress of the situation will stop him from looking like an academic genius and increase the chance that he will get services. You could sort out the details later. I am not suggesting "lying," but why volunteer information if you don't need to?quote]

This actually won't work because the school does an MFE (multi-factored eval.) on all children to see if they are to receive services. It would come out when they tested him. :-(

[mommytoEli]

Originally Posted by iwantmybaby

Girl I have lived this nightmare, well part of it anyway. I'm sorry. You know how I feel about that school. However, the truth is, and I have learned this the hard way...as far as the school's involvement; if it does not effect the child academically they will NOT render services. Nathan is receiving OT at school only because he was already in speech, so it wasn't an issue to add those services. However, when I finally get a response from the therapist there, it's always "he's fine." I also learned they are not working on ANY sensory therapy that does not relate to school work. As an example, they will only do things to help him with his writing, coloring, etc. Things like that. He doesn't really need therapy for those things. They don't get the sandbox and work on tactile sensory issues. So, my pediatrician says the type of services offered through school are not exactly the complete picture of what a child may need. If he really needs intervention you probably are going to have to seek it elsewhere. I have done just that. However, I am now on my own. Long story, I'll spare you. Or fill you in another time. Our insurance covered zilch of the cost. I can tell you there are some places that will work with you on the money part.

Can I just say, all that stuff Eli can do at age 3 is amazing!!! I think I should go right now, wake up Joseph and make him get to work!!! JJ (but a little serious)

Tracy

1st of all. don't get me started on that school. second of all, i will pick your breain next week about where you go then, bc i foresee having to take eli somewhere. 3rd of all, i taught eli NOTHING...he picked it all up on his own using his leapster computer. all of it. it is a complete fluke. i do not work with him AT ALL. i really think it is a part of his disability....like he hyper focuses on things...and he REALLY likes letters, colors, and numbers ALOT.

[mjmom]

I highly recommend the book "Raising a Sensory Smart Child". My son exhibited a lot of the same issues that you describe...toe walking, scratching skin til it bleeds, gagging when eating, eating non food items, excessive meltdowns...and after reading this book I knew that my son did not have sensory issues. We had him evaluated by an OT that specializes in Sensory Issues and she confirmed that he did not have a problem with sensory processing, rather it had to do with a problem in his motor planning. His inablility to preform simple tasks (eatting, walking correctly) led him to act out in non-traditional ways (scratching skin, excessing meltdowns, etc). We worked with the OT for about 8 weeks and he is now completely back on track. Just want to throw it out as a possibility. If your child does have sensory issues, the book is loaded with helpful information, tips and advice.

[Quesita]

I am so sorry you are facing this frustration.

I just have to say that I laughed when I read your post. I did an intake with a child study center in an attempt to deal with her sleep issues. There were a LOT of questions about sensory disorders, and the intake person kept pushing me on the sensory issues, stating that kids with sleep problems often have sensory problems. I kept insisting that Liana does NOT have sensory issues. Finally I admited that sometimes Liana says "Ouch! You hurt my eyes" and laughs when I take a flash picture. Oh. And she doesn't like it if the bathwater is too warm or too cold.

Ummmm... not quite the issues you are facing.

[mommytoEli]

Originally Posted by mjmom

I highly recommend the book "Raising a Sensory Smart Child". My son exhibited a lot of the same issues that you describe...toe walking, scratching skin til it bleeds, gagging when eating, eating non food items, excessive meltdowns...and after reading this book I knew that my son did not have sensory issues. We had him evaluated by an OT that specializes in Sensory Issues and she confirmed that he did not have a problem with sensory processing, rather it had to do with a problem in his motor planning. His inablility to preform simple tasks (eatting, walking correctly) led him to act out in non-traditional ways (scratching skin, excessing meltdowns, etc). We worked with the OT for about 8 weeks and he is now completely back on track. Just want to throw it out as a possibility. If your child does have sensory issues, the book is loaded with helpful information, tips and advice.

well huh. i read this site on dyspraxia: dyspraxiausa.org - Early Symptoms and eli has or is all of these things except he can concentrate on things longer than 3 minutes and his language skills are no longer delayed, but they were. huh. i'm not sure what to make of this yet. lol.

[Quesita]

I learn so much on these forums. That link was very interesting MommytoEli!

It seems really clear to me after reading it that the child study folks who I spoke with seemed to think that Liana should fit into that box after I described her sleep problems. The woman was genuinely surprised when I said that Liana got along really well with other kids, was good at sharing, etc., etc., no repetative behaviors, late-developing language skills, but now really amazingly strong language skills. I look at this list, and it is SO NOT Liana. She has always had exceptional fine motor skills, (self-feeding with a spoon when I got her at 13 months, taking things apart all the time, etc.) loves jigsaw puzzles and building blocks, sleeps through the fire engines going by, (no problems with noise) but sits straight up in bed if she feels me moving away from her.... She is easily comforted, really good tempered, (yeah.... she has 2 year old tantrums, but not out of control or frequent). She is busy busy busy... but I think most two year olds are, aren't they?

This is my theory. Each specialist has their theory or group of theories, and they try and get every kid to fit into their theories.