Early Intervention question

My 2 year old son's school has brought up early intervention to us. They feel he has trouble sitting for circle time, throws toys (even at classmates) and will run out of the classroom (they don't have doors). They've said he hasn't adjusted to the days routine where other kids have and is over stimulated with the large class.

We've been to gymboree, birthday parties, bounce house, crayola factory and even went back to his old daycare for them to see how he's doing. We didn't see any of this behavior. Don't get me wrong though, he's 2 and acts it.

Does this behavior warrent early intervention or is it just him being a 2 year old?

Has anyone used EI for something similar?

sorry for the rant and thanks in advance :)

Early Intervention question

I don't think its an EI issue but I do see where the throwing toys and running out of the classroom will be disturbing to the other kids/safety issue.

I would see if you can visit daycare and watch your DS and see some of this behavior first hand. How kids act at a birthday party is completely different than a daycare/classroom situation.

It could also be just an adjustment time to the new daycare. I know my DS has trouble for a bit when he moves up to a new classroom.

Early Intervention question

He sounds like a 2 year old. Running, playing and not sitting in a circle for long periods of time are what 2 year olds do. What exactly would the EI be for?

I'd just reinforce that there is to be no throwing toys

Re: Early Intervention question

my assumption was EI is for something specific- like gross motor delay or speech delay... not just for general behavioral issues. but i dont know that much about EI. I'd just work with him on my own... start enforcing stricter rules/routines at home, play "school" and role play circle time etc, play simon says and see how well he listens/follow directions, and make sure he understands throwing is not acceptable.

Early Intervention question

it doesnt hurt. what is the worse they can say, he is a typical 2 year old. EI handles behavior issues along with other issues.

Re: Early Intervention question

I'm an EI service coordinator. Feel free to FM any questions you have but it is def something within the realm of things that EI looks at. Plus, EI is free and confidential so it can't hurt to do the evals and see if anything is going on

Re: Early Intervention question

Re: Early Intervention question

My son would totally run out of class & wont sit either. He doesn't throw toys at kids though that I have seen.
I am surely curious about this now though that you have posted this. I am going to keep an eye on my little guy.
If you call EI ask for a special Ed evaluation.

Re: Early Intervention question

Re: Early Intervention question

Message edited 9/12/2013 9:10:48 AM.

Early Intervention question

It could be that he's a little difficult and they don't want to deal with it. Maybe they're not the best placement for him. However it could also be that he does need some help. No harm in having him evaluated and even if he doesn't qualify they can give you some tips on how to work with him yourself or maybe even suggestions for you to pass along to the teachers.

Re: Early Intervention question

Thank you for all the great feedback!!!

I'm open to the EI evaluation but my husband is not. He says he's two and will grow out of it. He wants to give it some time to let him grow and mature.

I've gone to watch him and he spots me everytime. He's been in this school for 6 months and the new classroom for 2 months. they feel he should have adjusted by now. I've asked what they feel it could be or what he could benefit from and they don't have an answer. One teacher did suggested speech.

We have worked the toy throwing issue at home and have seen a dramatic change in him but the school has not.

Coosie, thank you and I will FM you.

Our son doesn't run at home and will sit great for storytime or arts and crafts. School says he's over stimulated by the other classmates which is why we don't have the issue at home.

Other daycares that I've contacted feel his age is too early for EI that they wouldn't suggest until Kindergarten for this behavior. I'm worried that the teachers have become frustrated with him and his behavior and he feels that energy and is responding to it.

I know I should go with my gut and what feels right but I'm just worried for what the future holds. I always want to do right by our children.

Early Intervention question

I am all for EI when needed, it works wonders. BUT call me crazy and maybe I will get some flack for this but to me it seems like it is being overused in this day and age. I feel like if a child is misbehaving a little more than others, we are so quick to put a label on it and get the child "evaluated." Can't it be that he's just a little mischievous and energetic? Like others have stated, I agree that he needs to understand that throwing toys is not acceptable and that this is not good behavior. BUT he doesn't sound abnormal to me at all. He is a boy and he is two years old. (Being a boy doesn't give a child an excuse, per se, but boys by nature are more energetic than girls, on average.) He isn't five. I'm sure you're doing a wonderful job with him and he probably doesn't throw toys in your presence because he's smart!! Why would he do that in front of Mommy? I've always thought I'd never have a child that misbehaves... until I had a child. My just-turned-one-year-old boy is a major handful (has been literally since coming out of the womb) and I am sure he is going to be a tough two year old. I have no idea what I am in for. Every child is born with a different personality and maybe your son just needs a little more reinforcement. Also, do you think maybe he's just not ready for such a regimented classroom at his age? Maybe he just wants to burn off that energy? Just a thought. Anyway, if he were my son, I personally would hold off on the EI evaluation. I think I'd be more likely to observe him and come up with solutions for the throwing toys at other children. But that's just my own opinion for my own son. Everyone is different.

Re: Early Intervention question

Re: Early Intervention question

Posted by laurenandmike619

I am all for EI when needed, it works wonders. BUT call me crazy and maybe I will get some flack for this but to me it seems like it is being overused in this day and age. I feel like if a child is misbehaving a little more than others, we are so quick to put a label on it and get the child "evaluated." Can't it be that he's just a little mischievous and energetic? Like others have stated, I agree that he needs to understand that throwing toys is not acceptable and that this is not good behavior. BUT he doesn't sound abnormal to me at all. He is a boy and he is two years old. (Being a boy doesn't give a child an excuse, per se, but boys by nature are more energetic than girls, on average.) He isn't five. I'm sure you're doing a wonderful job with him and he probably doesn't throw toys in your presence because he's smart!! Why would he do that in front of Mommy? I've always thought I'd never have a child that misbehaves... until I had a child. My just-turned-one-year-old boy is a major handful (has been literally since coming out of the womb) and I am sure he is going to be a tough two year old. I have no idea what I am in for. Every child is born with a different personality and maybe your son just needs a little more reinforcement. Also, do you think maybe he's just not ready for such a regimented classroom at his age? Maybe he just wants to burn off that energy? Just a thought. Anyway, if he were my son, I personally would hold off on the EI evaluation. I think I'd be more likely to observe him and come up with solutions for the throwing toys at other children. But that's just my own opinion for my own son. Everyone is different.

Re: Early Intervention question

Posted by laurenandmike619

I am all for EI when needed, it works wonders. BUT call me crazy and maybe I will get some flack for this but to me it seems like it is being overused in this day and age. I feel like if a child is misbehaving a little more than others, we are so quick to put a label on it and get the child "evaluated." Can't it be that he's just a little mischievous and energetic? Like others have stated, I agree that he needs to understand that throwing toys is not acceptable and that this is not good behavior. BUT he doesn't sound abnormal to me at all. He is a boy and he is two years old. (Being a boy doesn't give a child an excuse, per se, but boys by nature are more energetic than girls, on average.) He isn't five. I'm sure you're doing a wonderful job with him and he probably doesn't throw toys in your presence because he's smart!! Why would he do that in front of Mommy? I've always thought I'd never have a child that misbehaves... until I had a child. My just-turned-one-year-old boy is a major handful (has been literally since coming out of the womb) and I am sure he is going to be a tough two year old. I have no idea what I am in for. Every child is born with a different personality and maybe your son just needs a little more reinforcement. Also, do you think maybe he's just not ready for such a regimented classroom at his age? Maybe he just wants to burn off that energy? Just a thought. Anyway, if he were my son, I personally would hold off on the EI evaluation. I think I'd be more likely to observe him and come up with solutions for the throwing toys at other children. But that's just my own opinion for my own son. Everyone is different.

Early Intervention question

AGabs, I asked my son's PT therapist today about this. (He is in EI for PT) she stated as everyone here as that 2yr old don't have the ability to sit for long periods of time..some at all (my son- has no interest) We have tried library and he won't sit. Have you tried that? Will your son sit during that time or do you have to hold him back? My PT suggestion maybe the daycare sees something else so that is why they recommend EI. I personally feel it can't hurt to have the evalutation...It can't cause harm.

Re: Early Intervention question

Re: Early Intervention question

Posted by AGabs

Posted by laurenandmike619

I am all for EI when needed, it works wonders. BUT call me crazy and maybe I will get some flack for this but to me it seems like it is being overused in this day and age. I feel like if a child is misbehaving a little more than others, we are so quick to put a label on it and get the child "evaluated." Can't it be that he's just a little mischievous and energetic? Like others have stated, I agree that he needs to understand that throwing toys is not acceptable and that this is not good behavior. BUT he doesn't sound abnormal to me at all. He is a boy and he is two years old. (Being a boy doesn't give a child an excuse, per se, but boys by nature are more energetic than girls, on average.) He isn't five. I'm sure you're doing a wonderful job with him and he probably doesn't throw toys in your presence because he's smart!! Why would he do that in front of Mommy? I've always thought I'd never have a child that misbehaves... until I had a child. My just-turned-one-year-old boy is a major handful (has been literally since coming out of the womb) and I am sure he is going to be a tough two year old. I have no idea what I am in for. Every child is born with a different personality and maybe your son just needs a little more reinforcement. Also, do you think maybe he's just not ready for such a regimented classroom at his age? Maybe he just wants to burn off that energy? Just a thought. Anyway, if he were my son, I personally would hold off on the EI evaluation. I think I'd be more likely to observe him and come up with solutions for the throwing toys at other children. But that's just my own opinion for my own son. Everyone is different.

Thank you!! This is exactly how my husband feels and i tend to agree. He's a funny, high energy, taurus boy. We've been thinking his current daycare may be too much for such a young age and have been considering going back to his in-home daycare. He has many years ahead of a regimented classroom ahead, we should just let him play while he's a child.

Re: Early Intervention question

Posted by EricaAlt

Posted by laurenandmike619

I am all for EI when needed, it works wonders. BUT call me crazy and maybe I will get some flack for this but to me it seems like it is being overused in this day and age. I feel like if a child is misbehaving a little more than others, we are so quick to put a label on it and get the child "evaluated." Can't it be that he's just a little mischievous and energetic? Like others have stated, I agree that he needs to understand that throwing toys is not acceptable and that this is not good behavior. BUT he doesn't sound abnormal to me at all. He is a boy and he is two years old. (Being a boy doesn't give a child an excuse, per se, but boys by nature are more energetic than girls, on average.) He isn't five. I'm sure you're doing a wonderful job with him and he probably doesn't throw toys in your presence because he's smart!! Why would he do that in front of Mommy? I've always thought I'd never have a child that misbehaves... until I had a child. My just-turned-one-year-old boy is a major handful (has been literally since coming out of the womb) and I am sure he is going to be a tough two year old. I have no idea what I am in for. Every child is born with a different personality and maybe your son just needs a little more reinforcement. Also, do you think maybe he's just not ready for such a regimented classroom at his age? Maybe he just wants to burn off that energy? Just a thought. Anyway, if he were my son, I personally would hold off on the EI evaluation. I think I'd be more likely to observe him and come up with solutions for the throwing toys at other children. But that's just my own opinion for my own son. Everyone is different.

ITA
My 4 yr old was in EI, but not for behavior. He had developmental delays. He has expressive and receptive delays along with sensory. I knew there was a problem and thanks to EI he's doing so great and now in Pre-K special Ed doing amazing. My 2 yr old sounds like the PP's son. He is smart, but has a lot of energy. I did have him evaluated only bc I had nothing to compare it to and at the time he wasn't talking as much. By the time he had the evaluation around 20 months he was talking so much more and understanding everything. Now he's just an energized boy! He got kicked out of library, but there's no way he'd sit for 20 mins listening to books. My 4 yr old could and was good like that. Just different personalities. Doesn't mean there's an issue and needs to be labeled

Re: Early Intervention question

Just an fyi, EI only goes until a child is 3 years old. Then the services/requests for evals are to go through the CPSE. If you think there's an issue, not saying that there is or not, it maybe be easier to deal with it now through EI.

Re: Early Intervention question

Early Intervention question

I did EI and CPSE evals for several years. It's actually very hard to qualify for services and I agree that sometimes it's one persons perception of behavior and the kid is really in the normal range (which at 2 is a very large range of what is normal). If you did have the eval you could get feedback and decide not to take the services at the time. If there continues to be issues I wouldn't wait till kindergarten (they don't even like to classify kindergartners generally). But you know your child best. Good luck!

Re: Early Intervention question

I would contact early intervention. I went through a very similar experience. My DS was 1 month shy of turning 2 I had him in a 2s class and it was horrible for him at the time. He would scream his head off washing his hands he wasnt interested in story time, he would scream when they had to change him that they called me to drive there to change him. I contacted EI and they said speech services would help him communicate and ease his frustration. At the time he didn't say much and would just mumble, couldn't get the words out. He started speech right away and in about a year I couldn't get him to stop talking. He was now able to understand me and vice versa, follow direction and he increased his attention span. I had no problems in his 3 year preschool class at all. I don't think you should hesitate. It wouldn't hurt to evaluate him.

Re: Early Intervention question

Personally, I would get him evaluated. It costs absolutely nothing and it sounds like daycare will continue to bring this up until you satisfy them. Perhaps something is wrong, but perhaps it's just 2 year old behavior and this daycare isn't a great fit.

As a PP said, EI is a much easier process to deal with than CPSE. We had DS evaluated for speech at 2 and I remember the process being painless.

Daycare keeps bringing up his articulation issues, so since he turned 3, CPSE now does the evalulation. It is a whole different animal - I need to be at 2 formal district meetings and in addition to the speech evaluation he needs a full psychological examination and an IQ test. Meanwhile, the speech eval came first and that therapist has already said in no way will he qualify .