Early intervention.... Question

My daughter turned 2 in February. Has been getting speech twice a week since September and spec Ed once a week to work on attention. We just had her 6 month meeting and I had a few questions.

First: the early intervention official didn't call in on the meeting as I was told she would. My ongoing tried calling her during the meting and she could not be reached.
The meeting ended with her ongoing telling me she'd call once she spoke to the official because chances are shed lose spec Ed because cognitively she scored high. I text the spec Ed teacher to tell her what took place during the meeting and she was the one that to,d me spec Ed was being discontinued. She thought I knew. That bothered me her ongoing never called me herself like she said she would. Maybe I'm overly sensitive.

Second: they are recommending a psych evaluation which I agreed to based on inconsistent eye contact, inconsistent response to name and a short attention span. She dies however point, smiles, has appropriate pretend play, likes kids, is not in her own world, will follow directions, adjusts to change well, has no repetitive behaviors or Stims, doesn't tantrum out of the ordinary, is not sensitive to sound, waves, doesn't line things up, her eyes don't drift off and she doesn't look at her hands. I should also say eye contact was never an issue fir me. For myself and family members, she does make good eye contact. Doesn't always respond to her name if she really into playing with something I will admit she is an energetic 2 year old. She is speech delayed and has had a burst of words and phrases the last few weeks. We are up to about 80 words. "Spectrum" has been brought up but her therapists seem to flip flop whether they think she is or isn't. Spec Ed therapist said she really doesn't think she is, speech says possible.
Has anyone else been in a similar situation with their child and they were not diagnosed? I am just afraid of a misdiagnosis. Sorry this was so long.

Early intervention.... Question

In my situation my son was speech delayed and was evaluated in our home at two and then again at two and a half. At the time he was also attending daycare. There was no diagnosis and he didn't even qualify for speech services both times so I assumed he would just catch up. Fast forward to 3 years old and he receives CPSE evaluation. They suggest evaluating at home and daycare (which I wish Early intervention had done the same). If they went by daycare eval I am told he would be is on spectrum. But at home he's a different child (more eye contact, points, etc). The evaluator is unsure so a month later he evaluated in my home by someone who specializes in autism and he is then diagnosed on the spectrum. What i took away from this is even though early intervention did not feel he "qualified" for speech I should have gone ahead with getting him speech therapy on my own because he was obviously struggling and everyone told me he will talk when he's ready. Also get other evals like neurologist or developmental pediatrician.

Re: Early intervention.... Question

Re: Early intervention.... Question

I think you have nothing to lose by getting the psych eval. I didn't know they could "diagnose" based on an eval. It's only a moment in time. That being said, if they see something it will be easier to get your daughter the services she needs.

My twins went through CPSE and my DH didn't agree at first. They were saying they didn't know their name, poor eye contact, etc. but they are different people with us! The evaluator said it best. She said if others don't know how great they are (bc of poor eye contact, etc.) what good will it do them? She said take all the help you can get.

They were not diagnosed, just labeled as a preschool child with a disability once they received services. "Spectrum" was mentioned for 1 of them, but his teacher does not believe he is on the spectrum.

I am taking them to a developmental ped in July for a formal evaluation. I just want to know if there is an issue and if so if we should be getting more help for them. I hope and pray developmental ped says they are typical 3 year olds with a slight lag (as is common in twins). That is what their teachers think but I'd rather just know for sure. Either way, whatever it is at the end of the day, they are still my sweet kids.

Re: Early intervention.... Question

Here's the thing with the diagnosis. At such a young age, it's difficult for them to know for sure if some kids are on the spectrum. My DS was evaluated at 2. I was told it wasn't black and white either way, but the psychologist decided to give him the diagnosis after she did the eval because he needed the services. He started in a special ed preschool program right after that. When he went to a full day program at 3, I think it still wasn't 100% clear to us if he had the diagnosis. As he get closer to 4, it was easier for me to see it when he was around other kids. There were a range of kids in his first class, some were lower functioning than he is, some about the same as him. One of his classmates was mainstreamed when she got to Kindergarten.

What I don't understand is how do they think a psych eval is needed but they are going to discontinue special ed services? That makes no sense to me. If there are enough signs to warrant a psych eval, those are things your special ed teacher should be working on, no? Who is recommending the eval? Our first PT was the one who recommended the eval because she saw things in sessions that concerned her. She was more experienced than the speech therapist he had at the time and was better able to pick up on it, IMO.

ETA: I heard EI is structured differently than when we were dealing with them. Is the ongoing the person you deal with on a regular basis and the official that person's supervisor? If you aren't getting answers, call the supervisor for clarification.

Message edited 5/8/2015 12:37:01 PM.

Early intervention.... Question

I have twin boys 3 1/2. I was told so many things about one of my boys it was crazy. I was so tired of hearing it. (Ex: ignoring name, poor eye contact, couldn't transition etc) One person mentioned spectrum.
As I said they are now 3 1/2. He is definetly not on spectrum but does have some issues at school, its more sensory/behavior & he will learn to maintain it. I also say he is an immature boy who likes to blow rasperries, take off his shoes (Just learned) and doesn't like to sit. He is very smart & has extensive vocabulary so makes things difficult for services. OUr next meeting is the 12th so hoping he will continue to get his OT/behavior which is what he gets now.

* Dont believe everything they say. They just have to prepare you incase*

Message edited 5/9/2015 8:55:24 PM.

Early intervention.... Question

You should call and speak with your EIOD on your own. They should have called into the meetings and the times where I can't get them, I call their supervisor. They are supposed to be present or on the phone to answer all of your above questions. I am sorry that happened. ( I work in EI so feel free to PM me any questions)