DS is being evaluated for speech therapy next week- some questions for those who use services.

1. How long is your DC's session?
2. Were they accomodating on working around your schedule? For example, I don't work on mondays- will they try to work with me & offer the therapy on a monday?
3. Where do you hang out or what do you do while DC is with the therapist?
4. Is anyone a no shoes home? We are a no shoes home but I'll going to offer her those hospital booties instead of making her take shoes off so she isn't uncomfortable. Do you think this is ok?
5. How long was it until you saw improvement in your DC?

thanks

Re: DS is being evaluated for speech therapy next week- some questions for those who use services.

1- DS gets speech 2x a week for 45 min a session

2-when the therapists call, they will ask your availability. If that therapist cannot accommodate your needs, they will have another therapist call you. A lot of the therapists have set schedules with existing cases, which makes their availability limited. They will find someone for you. Mornings are tough to get.

3- when DS was getting use to his therapist, I Hung out in my kitchen so DS could still see me. Now, I go upstairs with my other DS but can hear all aspects of his session.

4- the therapists we have automatically took their shoes off. If its something you prefer, I don't see why they would not comply.

5- we saw an improvement almost immediately but it all depends on the child. My DS was extremely lazy & once he had the true one on one, he excelled. Now, he's in the program almost 5 months & his teachers are talking about graduatong him.

Re: DS is being evaluated for speech therapy next week- some questions for those who use services.

We're in NJ, but I'm sure it's pretty similiar

1. How long is your DC's session? - 1 hour
2. Were they accomodating on working around your schedule? - YES... very, but they first needed to find Therapists who are free for the days/times you need them.
Ex - Mason's OT started seeing him on Mondays (when I was on maternity leave). When I went back to work it was close to a time she was seeing a girl who was turning 3 so we moved his appt from 3 on Mondays to THurs nights at 5PM when I get home from work. Sometimes we change it to Wed nights, but depends. His Speech teacher usually sees him Fridays, but she has gone to his daycare a few times b/c she wanted to see him in another environment.

3. Where do you hang out or what do you do while DC is with the therapist? - They're usually in the Kitchen. I stay around and give him cheers or help answer something he said that she didn't understand. Usually doing dishes, lunches for the next day, feed the baby and other stuff. Not sure what I'm supposed to do, but I stay close. When it first started I sat at the kitchen table and watched. Now I do other things and listen in since they know each other well now.

4. Is anyone a no shoes home? We are a no shoes home but - YES, we're a no shoes home, but I never said anything to the therapists. Unless it's raining or snowing out I don't say anything.
If they're doing things in the playroom we have a big, foam playmat the baby crawls on. I ask her to take off her shoes when they're on that since the baby is on it. I don't think it's a big deal to offer booties. Didn't even think of it and we have them too. LOL

5. How long was it until you saw improvement in your DC? - Hmmm... took a few months. Can't remember exactly, but I remember at his 6 month eval there was a HUGE difference. Going from 1 word to saying 2, 3 and even 4 word sentences. ASking for verbal commands and understanding yes and no questions were big. Takes time and as long as YOU keep up with what the Speech teacher does then you'll start seeing a difference after a few months.

Message edited 3/13/2012 2:59:25 PM.

Re: DS is being evaluated for speech therapy next week- some questions for those who use services.

Thanks ladies! I'm excited for this now. I hope he gets approved because I think it will be a great thing for DS to not feel so frustrated when he needs to communicate something to us. He definitely manages to communicate by pointing & taking us by the hand to where he wants to go but words will help us understand his feelings, which is what's hard sometimes.

Re: DS is being evaluated for speech therapy next week- some questions for those who use services.

Posted by summerBaby10

1. How long is your DC's session?

Nassau & Suffolk sessions are 45 min and NYC are generally 30, could be 60 min depending on mandate.


2. Were they accomodating on working around your schedule? For example, I don't work on mondays- will they try to work with me & offer the therapy on a monday?

Parents and I must agree on Schedule and we work together to do so.

3. Where do you hang out or what do you do while DC is with the therapist?

Parents are welcome to join and can help with carry over of skills, but try not to be overbearing, like answering for the child. Maybe you can just observe in the beginning, but just be there until your DC is comfortable with the therapist. I have some kids that I kick the parents out of the room completely because they are so unfocused in the presence of their parents, but that depends on the child. It may look like play to you, but remember that the therapist has a goal for every session and at this age play-based therapy is what works. If you don't understand the purpose of an activity be sure to ask. I'm sure your provider will be happy to explain if she doesn't do so initially. Please remember that we ate not babysitters! (I have stories) Do what's comfortable and what works best for your child in terms of staying or leaving the area..

4. Is anyone a no shoes home? We are a no shoes home but I'll going to offer her those hospital booties instead of making her take shoes off so she isn't uncomfortable. Do you think this is ok?

My home is also a "no shoes" home and i completely understand and don't mind taking my shoes off at a client's home.

5. How long was it until you saw improvement in your DC?

Prognosis is dependent on so many things. For generally typically-developing children who are language delayed, I typically see some feedback with the first 2-4 sessions. Keep in mind that my expectations may be different from the parents'. So be sure to discuss your child's goals and your expectations for your child and be open to learning how realistic those expectations may or may not be.

thanks

Re: DS is being evaluated for speech therapy next week- some questions for those who use services.

Thank you, shyavon81. I feel like my DS is pretty much lazy with speaking, you know? He doesn't even care to try & sound out words with DH or myself because 90% of the time, he can get his point across.

Re: DS is being evaluated for speech therapy next week- some questions for those who use services.

Posted by summerBaby10

1. How long is your DC's session?
2. Were they accomodating on working around your schedule? For example, I don't work on mondays- will they try to work with me & offer the therapy on a monday?
3. Where do you hang out or what do you do while DC is with the therapist?
4. Is anyone a no shoes home? We are a no shoes home but I'll going to offer her those hospital booties instead of making her take shoes off so she isn't uncomfortable. Do you think this is ok?
5. How long was it until you saw improvement in your DC?

thanks

Re: DS is being evaluated for speech therapy next week- some questions for those who use services.

Can I ask how you ladies got these services???

How did you go about getting DC evaluated?

I have concerns about DD"s speech with pronouncing blends

Re: DS is being evaluated for speech therapy next week- some questions for those who use services.

Re: DS is being evaluated for speech therapy next week- some questions for those who use services.

Re: DS is being evaluated for speech therapy next week- some questions for those who use services.

1. How long is your DC's session?

when DS was in EI he was getting 5x45 of speech

2. Were they accomodating on working around your schedule? For example, I don't work on mondays- will they try to work with me & offer the therapy on a monday?

they came when we had the time.

3. Where do you hang out or what do you do while DC is with the therapist?

i was always in another room, unless i was needed

4. Is anyone a no shoes home? We are a no shoes home but I'll going to offer her those hospital booties instead of making her take shoes off so she isn't uncomfortable. Do you think this is ok?

100% acceptable.. just let them know you do not allow shoes to be worn in the home

5. How long was it until you saw improvement in your DC?

EVERY child is different, DS started speech at 15 months old and at 4.5 he gets 3x30 at home and is in a speech enriched program at school.

thanks

Re: DS is being evaluated for speech therapy next week- some questions for those who use services.

Re: DS is being evaluated for speech therapy next week- some questions for those who use services.

1. How long is your DC's session? 1 hour, 2x a week.

2. Were they accomodating on working around your schedule? Yes, our therapist worked around my schedule.

3. Where do you hang out or what do you do while DC is with the therapist? I sit in and participate in sessions.
(PT & OT I sit in the kitchen and look on)

4. Is anyone a no shoes home? We are a no shoes home but I'll going to offer her those hospital booties instead of making her take shoes off so she isn't uncomfortable. Do you think this is ok? All the therapists that come in my home take their shoes off on their own. If they ask, I tell them, "whatever you're comfortable with".

5. How long was it until you saw improvement in your DC?
Few months and it gets better & better.

Re: DS is being evaluated for speech therapy next week- some questions for those who use services.

Re: DS is being evaluated for speech therapy next week- some questions for those who use services.

I meant to respond to a different post but I work for an EI agency if you have any questions feel free to FM me.

Message edited 3/13/2012 10:22:39 PM.