EI vs. CPSE?

Hi Ladies:

I'm a mommy of three and new at this.

Our youngest is 2 and 5 months. I have felt that his expressive speech is behind what his siblings were at that age and he basically does NOT eat- lives on Pediasure. Its a constant battle for him to eat even mushy foods. He is partially tongue tied my dentist said but not enough to clip. Also, DH and his two brothers had speech therapy as children.

His behavior is completely normal, plays with other kids well - lots of imaginary games- and laughs and he understands everything.

Also, I noticed, he always drops the first consonant of every word.

My friend is a speech therapist and suggested I get him evaluated through EI. Another friend in the field said EI may turn him down but CPSE is often more giving of services for expressive speech. He said I can get him evaluated for CPSE at 2 yrs and 9 months- is that correct?

My question is- if I have him evaluated for EI and he gets denied, is there a certain waiting period before I can have him evaluated for CPSE?

Thanks so much!

Message edited 12/11/2013 2:05:42 PM.

Re: EI vs. CPSE?

EI is for children who have not yet turned 3. EI is funded by the county's department of health. Once they turn 3, services are approved by CPSE which is run and funded by the school district you live. I believe if a child doesn't qualify for services, you can request another evaluation in 6 months.

You could request that EI evaluate him now and if he is approved for services, you would have a meeting with CPSE in the spring to transition him to preschool aged services next fall, once he is 3 (I am assuming his birthday is in the summer?)

Some people might say to wait until he is eligible for CPSE because the older they are, the more they are expected to do for the evaluation. In my experience, EI was more generous with services. It will take EI a little bit of time to evaluate and approve him for services. If I were you, I would not want to wait until he turns 3 to get services through CPSE so I would call EI now. If he doesn't qualify now and you still have doubts, you can request that CPSE do another evaluation next year.

EI vs. CPSE?

My twins are 2yrs 1 month. I have to register them for school by March 7 according to EI. They will then be 2yrs 4 months. As stated above CPSE takes over at 3yrs so during the regisration time, my son will be evaluated for P/T which is what he gets now & see if they will continue. I would suggest calling school & see when you can register.

Re: EI vs. CPSE?

Thank you ladies!

I called up CPSE and they said that I could start the process with them in April (he turns 3 in July). I said he will be evaluated within the next few weeks by EI.

I asked, if he gets denied by EI, can I get him evaluated in April by CPSE or do I need to wait a certain time period between evals?

She said she honestly didn't know but she will call me back tomorrow. She was very nice.

Re: EI vs. CPSE?

i was in the same boat you are in with speech. my son was saying maybe 15 words at 2 years old & he wasnt even completing the word either. so like, "boat" would be "bo" or dinosaur would be "saur". he could BARELY say 2 world phrases also... he muttered a couple, but you couldnt really understand him at all. mommy & daddy were "ma" and "da"

we got him evaluated by EI at 2 years, 2 months... they told me it was all articulation issues and that EI doesnt work with children with articulation issues & he was "talking too much". cognitively he was fine so they told me to give him 3 months & then i could have him evaluated for EI again if i still felt there was an issue. i ended up having him evaluated by a private speech therapist who diagnosed him with apraxia & we started speech 2x a week at 2 years, 4 months. i had him evaluated him for EI again at 2 years 7 months, but once again was turned down b/c they "dont do anything with articulation issues"

you can have your child evaluated by CPSE at 2 years 10 months and if they are approved, they will most likely start services as soon as they can. i had my son evaluated through CPSE at 2 years 10 months & got approved for speech 3x a week paid for by the school district!!! it was a painfully long road, but he is now speaking complete sentences & has come such a long way!!!!

good luck!!!

Message edited 12/16/2013 11:53:27 AM.