CPSE - some questions (for providers and moms)

I just registered my DD (3 1/2) with the school district, and next week I have an appt to get CPSE going. We have some social/emotional concerns.

I have a few questions:

1) How in the WORLD do I choose an agency? They gave me a list of at least 50 places. Is there somewhere I can look these places up? Does anyone here have any recommendations?

2) Do I have to get a prescription from my pediatrician? I didn't see social/emotional in the list - I guess psychological is the closest (I believe my DD has anxiety, which I suppose is psychological). I did call my ped and hope to hear back from her soon.

3) Has anyone here had a child evaluated for social/emotional or psychological concerns? If so, can you share your experience (FM, if that's more comfortable).

Thanks for any help you can offer! This is a tough thing to have to go through.

Re: CPSE - some questions (for providers and moms)

1) How in the WORLD do I choose an agency? They gave me a list of at least 50 places. Is there somewhere I can look these places up? Does anyone here have any recommendations?

I use Marion K Salomon. We have great therapists. Your main concern will be availability of therapist to take your case not necessarily the size of the agency.

I have had therapists from Kids therapy and kids first. I liked both agencies.

2) Do I have to get a prescription from my pediatrician? I didn't see social/emotional in the list - I guess psychological is the closest (I believe my DD has anxiety, which I suppose is psychological). I did call my ped and hope to hear back from her soon.

You only need a prescription for speech, OT and PT.

3) Has anyone here had a child evaluated for social/emotional or psychological concerns? If so, can you share your experience (FM, if that's more comfortable).

Most school districts will ask for a psych evaluation for ALL CPSE cases.


Is DD in EI, right now?

FM me if you want to talk. We transitioned from EI to CPSE last September.

Re: CPSE - some questions (for providers and moms)

Re: CPSE - some questions (for providers and moms)

I suggest Marion K Salomon for the evals. They do have great evaluators and the psych. that worked there diagnosed DS. She was so nice and understanding.

Re: CPSE - some questions (for providers and moms)

I agree with Sophie. Marion Soloman is really looked upon as the best out there. They did all of Jack's evals in the beginning.

Jack got a psych avail (I'm pretty sure it was for CPSE) which is standard.

We'll talk more tomorrow night for sure! Just wanted to give you

Re: CPSE - some questions (for providers and moms)

1. We used O'Connel and Selig for our eval and now for our related services. We are very happy with them, the evaluators and the therapists. Everyone has talked to us in length and all services are at daycare and they keep great communication records with us.

2. We did have to get an Rx from our Ped, but I thought it was just speech...I could be wrong...DH took care of a few things too, so I may not have done that one.


3. I don't know if it's my school district or Suffolk County, but we were told that all 3 year olds get all evaluations (psych, speech, OT and PT) no matter what reason you initially bring to CPSE. (DS was 3.5 at evaluation and we had just brought up for speech, but we were shocked at his psych eval. The psychologist believes that he will probably be diagnosed with ADHD in the future.)

Re: CPSE - some questions (for providers and moms)

I can tell you that the agency you pick could be very important. An agency can be quite limiting if it's small. They will only have a handful therapists signed up with them and by the time they find one to sign up with them it can take weeks.

My strongest therapist and pretty much my whole team is signed up with Marion K Salomon. So although I have yet to use that agency, I can say that she does attract strong therapists.

Now another thing to consider is what do you feel your dd's issues stem from. If you think she has a lot of sensory issues, finding an agency that has their own sensory gym will help a lot. They usually have a strong OT dept and you don't have to worry about getting an OT who is not trained well in sensory integration.

Re: CPSE - some questions (for providers and moms)

Sophie pretty much covered it!

I am not sure where you are located, but, I use Building Blocks and they are truly amazing!
Any questions, FM me!

Re: CPSE - some questions (for providers and moms)

I'm an SLP and I'd very strongly recommend Kidz Therapy. You can see if you can get Dr. Margaret Laska to do the eval. (psych). She is fabulous! If you end up getting her, send me a FM.

Re: CPSE - some questions (for providers and moms)

We used Marion K Soloman as well for EI and CPSE evals. Very happy with them them. Marion did our EI psych Eval herself...very very thorough woman.

Psych is a must for a cspe eval.

Noahs issues were at the cpse level anyway as they had changed drastically since EII times were mostly anxiety based. If you do a search you may be able to find my posts on it.

He was so anti social...very down on himself....anxious all the time. Horrible tantrums he couldn't control. Ultimetly a lot of his issues ended up being speech related but he does have a high anxiety level. He see's a psychologist through the pre school once a week. His other issues are not so much anxiety based so I can't answer too much.

The Agency can tell you what services CPSE might reccomend.

One thing I can tell you is barring any other delays...it is gonna be hard for a district to give services for psychological only..but if you are prepared for a fight and act that way ...they will possibly cave and be more easily swayed.

Wish I could help more. GODD LUCK

Re: CPSE - some questions (for providers and moms)

I'm in NY but not LI - so I can't recommend an agency. My DD was first evaluated at 2.5 and was diagnosed with anxiety. She was signed out of CPSE the following June, but is now back in the program. You can do a search on some posts.

Feel free to FM

Message edited 2/3/2011 10:05:20 PM.

Re: CPSE - some questions (for providers and moms)

I am partial to Little Village. We have worked with them from the beginning with evaluations and services. I think they are the best.

The Director of Psych services there is wonderful.

Re: CPSE - some questions (for providers and moms)

Thank you all.