Children with Special Needs

[jenrose66]

I'm wondering if there are too many interventions too soon these days.

My son is 4. He has some sensory issues. Really he's a bit of an enigma. He's been screened for autism more than once and they say he doesn't have it. Yet he has characteristics, he's very routine oriented, he takes things very litterally. You cannot get near his ears or face. Also he has trouble with eye contact and interacting with peers. He's not anti social. He's just in his own world sometimes.

He started getting speech therapy at 2 years old. He didn't speak a word until 2 and a half. His speech didn't emerge, it's just like he woke up one day and started to talk. Since he was in early intervention and then later in CPSE he gets evaluated yearly. It was decided that he needed occupational therapy.

This year he started preschool with speech two times and week and occupational therapy two times a week. By December they had called a meeting and bumped his occupational therapy up to four times a week. The teacher and OT therapist also suggested he could benefit from physical therapy and said I should consent to a PT screen.

I consented to the PT screen and the therapist found him to have a moderate delay and said he should get PT 1 to 2 times a week. This will be discussed at his IEP meeting I have Friday.

I got his report for his occupational therapy from his therapist in the mail today. It said that he has problems manipulating scissors, his feeding utensils, and crayons. It also said he has trouble sitting up straight and can't push himself forward on a scooter board. It said that he will quietly sing and hum to himself during story and circle time and any other time where there is a lot of noise or stimulation around him. The report said he's better playing with his peers but he still will also just play on his own without regard to who is playing around him.

I'm sorry this is a lengthy post. I just find this stuff so depressing. I mean when I was a kid, I was quiet and shy. I was also kind of clumsy. Heck I didn't even go to preschool. No one ever said I needed any speech or OT therapy. My mom wasn't going to meetings with administrators and filling out IEP's. I turned out just fine.

Don't get me wrong. I'm grateful that there are programs to help my son. He definately needed speech. I think the OT has also helped with sensory problems. But I also wonder if he's just developing at his own rate and would catch up on his own without all the interventions. I mean, he isn't hurting anyone, he's not a disruption to the class. His teacher says he's her best behaved student and he was just named citizen of the month for his class.

My DH thinks we should put our foot down with PT therapy. I'm torn about it. I mean if they give him PT on top of OT and speech that will be 8 seperate 30 minute sessions or an equivalent of 4 classroom hours per week that he'll be out of class. That worries me because they tend to pull him out now during times when the class is getting story time or having snacks etc...I would think those times would be important for him to forge new friendships. I guess I'm just confused as to what to do. I mean if I don't consent to the services they can't make him have them.

 

[Carnie]

The sooner you work on issues, age- wise, the more likely your child will get the biggest benefit.

Speakng from experience, schools are forever trying to DECREASE services to kids. The fact that they want to increase tells me they see needs that can be helped with additional services.

Rather than look at them as a negative, look how they can benefit your child.

You can't compare your own experiences, you are a different person.

PT has nothing to do with your child's behavior, btw. Your child is probably very well behaved. He is exhibiting delays that exercises can help to recitify.

Let me ask you this: if he was diagnosed diabetic, would you be on the fence about monitoring his blood sugar? Think he would outgrow it?

Be a positive part of the team that is working to help your son. I don't imagine their agenda is to make him miss snacktime. They are looking to help your son grow and develop in the ways he needs most.

 

[Reddy]

First - expect this to be moved to the disabilty section

Is there anyway they could do this before or after school?? Comment about he needing the social time
who did the austism test?? alot of what you said fits in that group

 

[disfan07]

Is it possible to begin the therapy and if there really is no difference and it turns out that it not helping in any way, can you decide you want to discontinue it?

Most of the time, it is really hard to get the children the interventions that they need because resources are so scarce. I can't imagine that they are suggesting these services just because they feel like it. There's got to be a reason they see that these are necessary. usually you have to fight to GET the services...not fight because they are giving too much.

The biggest benefits occur at the early ages. It would be best to get the services now instead of waiting to see if anything changes.

 

[jenrose66]

The sooner you work on issues, age- wise, the more likely your child will get the biggest benefit.

Speakng from experience, schools are forever trying to DECREASE services to kids. The fact that they want to increase tells me they see needs that can be helped with additional services.

Rather than look at them as a negative, look how they can benefit your child.

You can't compare your own experiences, you are a different person.

PT has nothing to do with your child's behavior, btw. Your child is probably very well behaved. He is exhibiting delays that exercises can help to recitify.

Let me ask you this: if he was diagnosed diabetic, would you be on the fence about monitoring his blood sugar? Think he would outgrow it?

Be a positive part of the team that is working to help your son. I don't imagine their agenda is to make him miss snacktime. They are looking to help your son grow and develop in the ways he needs most.

I'm definatly a positive part of the team. I go to every meeting and communicate regularly with the teacher. I look at them as the experts and take their advice to heart. My whole thing is I'm just wondering if my son is a bit of a "late bloomer" it's like kids aren't allowed to catch up on their own schedule anymore. That was my concern.

 

[jenrose66]

First - expect this to be moved to the disabilty section

Is there anyway they could do this before or after school?? Comment about he needing the social time
who did the austism test?? alot of what you said fits in that group

The autism screen was done by a center for autism at our local children's hospital and also at a pediatric neurologist.

As far as getting services before or after school...that is not allowed by my school district.

 

[LuvOrlando]

have you found a team made up of different specialties that works together to help nail down a diagnosis at a major children's hospital yet?

I found a team at CHoP to evaluate my daughter when she was a preemie, Ithink one was a Psychologist and the other a Physiologist, and it worked really well.

If this was my child I'd want unrelated non-school based professionals looking over their shoulders every step of the way.

 

[dnoyes]

I really can't add anything to this thread other than to say I think you are a really good parent. Keep up the good work Mom

 

[MnMomtoboys]

The sooner you work on issues, age- wise, the more likely your child will get the biggest benefit.

Speakng from experience, schools are forever trying to DECREASE services to kids. The fact that they want to increase tells me they see needs that can be helped with additional services.

Rather than look at them as a negative, look how they can benefit your child.

You can't compare your own experiences, you are a different person.

PT has nothing to do with your child's behavior, btw. Your child is probably very well behaved. He is exhibiting delays that exercises can help to recitify.

Let me ask you this: if he was diagnosed diabetic, would you be on the fence about monitoring his blood sugar? Think he would outgrow it?

Be a positive part of the team that is working to help your son. I don't imagine their agenda is to make him miss snacktime. They are looking to help your son grow and develop in the ways he needs most.

This.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I'm definatly a positive part of the team. I go to every meeting and communicate regularly with the teacher. I look at them as the experts and take their advice to heart. My whole thing is I'm just wondering if my son is a bit of a "late bloomer" it's like kids aren't allowed to catch up on their own schedule anymore. That was my concern.

I've been working in a special ed preschool classroom for nine years. I've also been through this as a parent since my son has Asperger's and has been on an IEP for over 10 years.

If the team has recommended the amount of speech, OT and PT your son is getting, it's doubtful that he's just a "late bloomer." As other posters have said, these services aren't given out freely, especially these days with budget cuts. Also remember that these teachers and therapists have seen a lot of kids come through their programs. It's good to trust their experience and instincts about what your child needs. Our OT was just telling us a story today about a few kids in our district who didn't get referred to her until later in elementary school. She wondered why no one noticed their delays much earlier and referred them for evaluations. She now has to play catch-up and try to get these kids on track. She said she wishes she'd had them when they were three before they develop bad habits based on their sensory and motor issues.

At four years old, this is an important time for your son to receive the interventions that are recommended for him. It's much easier to drop special ed services later if the team feels he no longer needs them. However, it can be very difficult to get new services added to your son's program. If they're offering PT now, I would gladly take it for him. I don't think that missing snack or story time in favor of special services is going to harm him. If he's zoning out during classroom activities and not actively socializing with the other kids, it's likely that his speech/language and sensory issues are preventing him from actively participating in the classroom program. I think it's best to spend his school time addressing those issues in an intensive manner (i.e. pull-out therapy). I hope things work out for you and your son!

 

[jenrose66]

I've been working in a special ed preschool classroom for nine years. I've also been through this as a parent since my son has Asperger's and has been on an IEP for over 10 years.

If the team has recommended the amount of speech, OT and PT your son is getting, it's doubtful that he's just a "late bloomer." As other posters have said, these services aren't given out freely, especially these days with budget cuts. Also remember that these teachers and therapists have seen a lot of kids come through their programs. It's good to trust their experience and instincts about what your child needs. Our OT was just telling us a story today about a few kids in our district who didn't get referred to her until later in elementary school. She wondered why no one noticed their delays much earlier and referred them for evaluations. She now has to play catch-up and try to get these kids on track. She said she wishes she'd had them when they were three before they develop bad habits based on their sensory and motor issues.

At four years old, this is an important time for your son to receive the interventions that are recommended for him. It's much easier to drop special ed services later if the team feels he no longer needs them. However, it can be very difficult to get new services added to your son's program. If they're offering PT now, I would gladly take it for him. I don't think that missing snack or story time in favor of special services is going to harm him. If he's zoning out during classroom activities and not actively socializing with the other kids, it's likely that his speech/language and sensory issues are preventing him from actively participating in the classroom program. I think it's best to spend his school time addressing those issues in an intensive manner (i.e. pull-out therapy). I hope things work out for you and your son!

I guess it just hurts as a parent to see that something is "wrong" with your child. You look at sensory issues and it's such a gray area and it's open to interpretation.

My son can already read stories to me and loves looking at words on signs, heck even the dish soap on the kitchen counter and sounding out the words to me and telling me what it says. He is starting to add and subtract and I swear he never forgets anything that anyone tells him. When they started learning to spell their names in school (which he already knew how to do) he decided to learn to spell most of his classmates names. Though he can't make out the letters to write them on a piece of paper.

I know he needs help. It is just hard to wrap your mind around a kid that is so academically bright as needing three types of therapies. (though I shouldn't say that because I've been dealing with depression since about 8 years old so I can understand mental issues).I don't want him to think he's different or have the other kids realize he's getting extra help and then make fun of him.

 

[debster812]

It's not exactly the same thing, but when DS was in 1st grade, he was receiving Title 1 help in reading, as he did not have all of his 'sight words'

DS entered our public school system as a 1st grader, and had attended Kindergarten at his Day Care center. When he had his 1st grade screening, the woman that did the screening was not terribly warm and fuzzy, and he did not do well with his sight words.

About a week into school, we received a form, asking permission to enroll him in Title 1 assistance for reading. I'm of the mind that extra help is NEVER a bad thing, and signed the form. Well, about 6 weeks into the year, I get a call from his teacher, letting me know that she had been noticing his improvement, and she re-tested him. He was now slightly above grade level!

DS is the type of kid that will not do something until he is SURE he can do it. She picked up on this, and figured he was comfortable enough now to do it.

Well, the end of the story is he will be a HS Freshman next year, and will be taking Honors English.

Sometimes, the OT, speech, PT, etc just need to happen long enough to 'kick start' everything.

 

[chabs]

Google SPD. I think you might find it interesting.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I guess it just hurts as a parent to see that something is "wrong" with your child. You look at sensory issues and it's such a gray area and it's open to interpretation.

My son can already read stories to me and loves looking at words on signs, heck even the dish soap on the kitchen counter and sounding out the words to me and telling me what it says. He is starting to add and subtract and I swear he never forgets anything that anyone tells him. When they started learning to spell their names in school (which he already knew how to do) he decided to learn to spell most of his classmates names. Though he can't make out the letters to write them on a piece of paper.

I know he needs help. It is just hard to wrap your mind around a kid that is so academically bright as needing three types of therapies. (though I shouldn't say that because I've been dealing with depression since about 8 years old so I can understand mental issues).I don't want him to think he's different or have the other kids realize he's getting extra help and then make fun of him.

The difficulty in processing your child needing help is totally understandable. But it is important to remember that language, social and sensory issues have nothing to do with intelligence and academic abilities. My 15-year old son is extremely capable when it comes to academics. However, he still needs help with his social language (speaking appropriately to others) and his social interactions.

In terms of his feeling different, I made a point to tell my son early on that his brain works in a unique way. I told him some kids need extra help with spelling, but he's a master speller. Some kids do fine with speech and language, but he needs extra help in that area. He always understood that with no problem. I'll also share that throughout elementary school, most of the kids were understanding and protective of my son. He was mainstreamed and his classmates quickly understood what bothered him and what they should and shouldn't do around him. For example, he doesn't like loud noises so they knew not to come up and yell in his ear. Also, he has an extremely strong interest in trains and many kids would approach him with that topic to engage him in conversation. The kids who didn't understand him pretty much just stayed away from him, but there were plenty left who wanted to be his friend. It wasn't really until middle school that the social scene became more difficult for him (tweenaged kids, hormones, etc.).

I know it's difficult, but I wouldn't worry about him feeling different at four. Kids at that age aren't focused on those things like we are as adults.

 

[Goofyluver]

I guess it just hurts as a parent to see that something is "wrong" with your child. You look at sensory issues and it's such a gray area and it's open to interpretation.

My son can already read stories to me and loves looking at words on signs, heck even the dish soap on the kitchen counter and sounding out the words to me and telling me what it says. He is starting to add and subtract and I swear he never forgets anything that anyone tells him. When they started learning to spell their names in school (which he already knew how to do) he decided to learn to spell most of his classmates names. Though he can't make out the letters to write them on a piece of paper.

I know he needs help. It is just hard to wrap your mind around a kid that is so academically bright as needing three types of therapies. (though I shouldn't say that because I've been dealing with depression since about 8 years old so I can understand mental issues).I don't want him to think he's different or have the other kids realize he's getting extra help and then make fun of him.

Intelligence and/or cognitive ability are not necessarily indicative of whether or not a kiddo is going to need other services, such as speech, OT, or PT. I can see that you are fully aware of that fact.

I'm a Speech Pathologist and I'll just share what I tell my families...

Parents are often very upset when they hear their children need some speech or other type of therapy.

A speech disorder/sensory disorder/delay of any type does not mean your child will not succeed and be successful in school, it does not mean your child is not intelligent, and it does not mean your child is "different". Many children have these same issues.

The positive thing is that we can address them. Early intervention is key. The earlier we address any sort of delay, the better for the child.

Think about it this way...your child is 4 and is currently in a preschool setting. What a great time to receive these services! As compared to when he's a 2nd grader, with higher educational demands, when he may be missing crucial classroom instruction.

If you have questions about your child's services, ask! At his IEP, ask why they have recommended such extensive service time. Maybe a discussion about this specifically is in order to put everyone at ease, not only you, but his therapists, so that they may see exactly where you're coming from.

And you're right. It's difficult as parents to see that anything is "wrong" with our kids. What's great about you, is that you're a proactive mama who is doing exactly what her son needs, by getting him the services he needs. He'll be okay. As a professional, you're not the mom I'd worry about. I'd worry about the mom who doesn't care one way or another.

 

[mjkacmom]

I know he needs help. It is just hard to wrap your mind around a kid that is so academically bright as needing three types of therapies. (though I shouldn't say that because I've been dealing with depression since about 8 years old so I can understand mental issues).I don't want him to think he's different or have the other kids realize he's getting extra help and then make fun of him.

It doesn't sound like he's a late bloomer. Actually, when ds8 started ST at the age of 20 months (no speech), he really picked it up quickly. A few months later, I pointed to all the letter magnets on the fridge, and he knew them all, upper and lower (I never knew he knew them, because he didn't speak). I was convinced he was on the spectrum. Turns out he isn't, but many kids who are have very high intelligence (ds is bright, but he's leveled off with academics). As everyone here posted, schools are not giving these services away - so many have to fight hard for them.

My nephew has been getting PT twice a week for years now for sensory issues, and he is the smartest 7 year old I know.

 

[koolaidmoms]

I guess it just hurts as a parent to see that something is "wrong" with your child. You look at sensory issues and it's such a gray area and it's open to interpretation.

I know he needs help. It is just hard to wrap your mind around a kid that is so academically bright as needing three types of therapies. (though I shouldn't say that because I've been dealing with depression since about 8 years old so I can understand mental issues).I don't want him to think he's different or have the other kids realize he's getting extra help and then make fun of him.

You are using your mother's instinct and that is always the best. You KNOW he needs help.

As for reconciling the differences between academically bright and therapies we struggle with that too. DS is 7 in 2nd grade and has Asperger's diagnosed at 5.

He has been getting OT, PT and a bit of speech for 2 years. But he reads at a 5th-6th grade level, works on 5th grade math but can't hold a pencil well or eating utensils (he prefers to use his hands as it is "easier") and writes horribly. How could he possibly need all these services if he is so smart? Is he just lazy and manipulating us was always in the back of our heads with DS. But, we realize now it really is hard and painful for him to do some of these things.

They are removing all but OT for next year and I am okay with that. No one makes fun of DS at school. They know he is smart and they come to him for help or to ask questions. He doesn't have tons of friends but the 2 or 3 he does have are good friends that I can see him having for a lifetime and defend him to the end.

Sometimes we even forget about all the "stuff" because he just is who he is. Unique and developing in his own way and time.

Hope this helps a bit.