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Questions about CPSE evaluations and my child's rights
I am a regular poster but not ready to share my screen name on here yet. In fact, I have not even shared with my closest friends that my DC is being evaluated. In the past whenever I would share concerns with DC's school or pediatrician, I was told that there was nothing wrong with my DC, that he/she was just bright but bored and strong willed/high spirited.
My DC has been going through the evaluations for CPSE after having a speech screening at preschool. We started it this month. So far we have done speech and education evaluations. We found out that there are no speech deficits, except for a weak tongue muscles which do not interfere with my DC's speech. The education evaluation showed significant OT deficits, but no learning deficits. So they recommended an OT evaluation. We just had this evaluation the other day and we are waiting on the psychological evaluation. I was surprised to find out that DC has very significant OT deficits, especially in fine motor skills. There is also some concerns that there are definitely sensory processing issues going on. I have not gotten any reports yet, but they said they believe that DC is bright and is good at deflecting/changing topics/ throwing temper tantrums, etc. to hide the fact that my child cannot perform or struggles to perform certain things.
I have two questions for those who have been through this before.
When my DC had the classroom observation my child was on medications which considerably toned down and/or eliminated certain behaviors. The teacher informed me that my DC was very quiet that day and did not do 90% of the issues that we are having he/she evaluated for. The evaluator told me that she saw nothing in the 15 minutes that she was there, although the teacher told me she asked the evaluator to stay a little longer, the evaluator said they never stay more than 15 minutes. The only thing the evaluator noticed was that DC was sitting too close to the other children.
If they did not get a good opportunity to observe my child as he/she normally acts is there anything that I can do about it? Can I contest it, request another observation? Is there any point to contest it? Does it make a tremendous difference.
Also, the OT evaluator informed me his/her deficit is so significant that he/she is on the cusp of needing only the OT to qualify or having to have one additional deficit, but he/she just falls into the needing 2 deficits but only by a hair. The OT also thinks that DC has some serious sensory processing issues going on where DC cannot control their behavior. I was told that DC really needs several services a week to help him/her.
Since my child's OT deficits are quite significant, can I fight for services if they tell me he/she needs 2 deficits since he/she is so borderline.
Additionally, I was told by the teacher today, that the director might attend the meeting in place of my child's teacher. I do not want the director at this meeting for multiple reasons. My teacher wants to fight for DC to get services because she feels that DC is very bright but just needs some help to get him/her to where they need to be. She also believes that these deficits are causing DC to act out to hide the fact that they exist. I'm concerned that DC will have significant issues in kindergarten if he/she doesn't get help but I don't know that DH and I will be able to afford to pay for the services that my child is going to need.
We are waiting for my child to have his/her psychological evaluation, so I do not know what that will find.
I also have not received any reports yet, so I only know what the evaluators have mentioned in the 2 minutes after each evaluations.
I'm so upset by all of this but I don't know who to ask or where to get help.
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Posted 3/21/11 7:41 PM  |
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Re: Questions about CPSE evaluations and my child's rights
CPSE is all about how the child behaves in a classroom setting, so I think you should be able to get services if he/she is having trouble.
It's not all based on the observation. They should have also given you a questionnaire for the teacher to fill out. The teacher/director should also write a letter stating their concerns. If they are attending the meeting that's even better.
You're still waiting on the psych eval too. They will also observe your child for attention/focus/sensory issues, etc... Then they make recommendations. Tell them your concerns and ask them to specifically write in the report that they recommend SEIT services.
If all else fails, pay for your own private evaluation.
Good Luck!
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| Posted 3/21/11 9:04 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Questions about CPSE evaluations and my child's rights
You can go back and ask for another evaluation. Maybe more "discret" in the class setting.
If your child has significant OT deficiencies you can get services for that.
If you really feel she needs the services, DO NOT back down. She needs the services. Especially when it comes to physical abilities.
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| Posted 3/21/11 9:59 PM |
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MrsM9703
LIF Infant
Member since 3/11 299 total posts
Name:
Robin
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Re: Questions about CPSE evaluations and my child's rights
I don't have any advice for you, but reading your post was like reading my own story.
My situation is almost identical - my DS was evaluated a few weeks ago, and our CPSE meeting is this week. He has no speech deficits (he actually scored above average in speech), but has major deficits in fine and gross motor skills (unable to hold a crayon or scissors correctly, string beads, etc.). He also scored above average on the IQ test performed by the psychologist, but has sensory issues, behavioural issues and socialization issues.
I have to tell you, reading the reports (especially the report detailing the psychologist's observation of DS in preschool) was the hardest part so far.
I'm also concerned about my DS entering kindergarten in September - I feel like without extensive services, he won't be ready. I'm so nervous about the CPSE meeting, because I'm worried they won't agree to all the services we believe he needs.
Hang in there, and feel free to FM me if you need to talk.
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| Posted 3/22/11 2:53 AM |
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FranM
And so it goes....
Member since 9/05 2217 total posts
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Re: Questions about CPSE evaluations and my child's rights
Hang in there ladies. I know its difficult BTDT.
I learned to go into these meetings with a game plan - be prepared to tell them exactly what I & DS teacher/therapist believed DS needed and why. I always listen to what was offerd first and then if needed explain what additional services were expected. If you dont like the way a meeting is going you can table it and continue at another time.
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| Posted 3/22/11 9:16 AM |
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dpli
Daylight savings :)
Member since 5/05 13973 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Questions about CPSE evaluations and my child's rights
Posted by FranM
I learned to go into these meetings with a game plan - be prepared to tell them exactly what I & DS teacher/therapist believed DS needed and why.
ITA. I actually read a written statement that I prepared, which went through all the evaluations, using the scores and the observations of the therapists and what we see at home to justify why we were asking for the services we wanted.
To the OP, is the director not allowing the teacher to go because of staffing issues? (Can't cover the class or something?) I would ask the teacher to write up a statement for you to present at the meeting. Since she has concerns and sees DC every day, I think her input is very important.
Message edited 3/22/2011 9:30:42 AM.
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| Posted 3/22/11 9:29 AM |
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Re: Questions about CPSE evaluations and my child's rights
Posted by FranM
Hang in there ladies. I know its difficult BTDT.
I learned to go into these meetings with a game plan - be prepared to tell them exactly what I & DS teacher/therapist believed DS needed and why. I always listen to what was offerd first and then if needed explain what additional services were expected. If you dont like the way a meeting is going you can table it and continue at another time.
I don't have reports yet, I only have had about 3 minute meetings after the evaluations in the waiting area with the evaluators. How do I know what services my child needs- do they put their recommendations into the reports? How do I know if what they are offering is enough? I'm sorry not to sound stupid but I really have no guidance on this as DC's old pediatrician never thought DC had any deficits and the new pediatrician didn't even believe that DC needed the OT evaluation either and reluctantly signed the referral form. When I ask if DC will qualify I was told DC will need significant services but that they aren't sure if DC will qualify because he/she will need a second deficit, although DC is borderline between needing one or needing 2. We haven't had our psychological evaluation yet.
I'm going to this meeting alone. My mother will have to watch my children and my DH will try to do it by conference call but it depends on whether his job will allow for it (DH can't take the day he already tried).
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| Posted 3/22/11 9:44 AM |
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Re: Questions about CPSE evaluations and my child's rights
Posted by dpli
Posted by FranM
I learned to go into these meetings with a game plan - be prepared to tell them exactly what I & DS teacher/therapist believed DS needed and why.
ITA. I actually read a written statement that I prepared, which went through all the evaluations, using the scores and the observations of the therapists and what we see at home to justify why we were asking for the services we wanted.
To the OP, is the director not allowing the teacher to go because of staffing issues? (Can't cover the class or something?) I would ask the teacher to write up a statement for you to present at the meeting. Since she has concerns and sees DC every day, I think her input is very important.
The teacher is a big advocate for DC. She says thought it is not up to her but up to the director if she goes
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| Posted 3/22/11 9:46 AM |
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dpli
Daylight savings :)
Member since 5/05 13973 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Questions about CPSE evaluations and my child's rights
The director might not let the teacher take the time off to go to the meeting. So as the boss, she might decide whether or not the teacher will go, but as the parent, I think you are free to bring whoever you want.
I am sure others will correct me if I am wrong. 
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| Posted 3/22/11 10:38 AM |
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iluvmynutty
Mom to E&M
Member since 12/08 1762 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Questions about CPSE evaluations and my child's rights
OT can be the only service a student receives on an iep at the EI or CPSE Level. once they move to CSE, It becomes a secondary related service and the student must require either speech or some kind of special ed, educational service such as a special class or resource room. How old is Ur child. We he/she be entering kindergarten in Sept? In order to qualify for OT he/she will need to score greater than two standard deviations below the mean on a bell curve in one Ot area or score greater than 1 and a half standard deviations below the mean in two OT areas. Areas assessed meaning fine motor, visual motor and visual perceptual skills. A preschooler can receive Ot services for sensory processing and selfcare delays as well. A School age, Cse Student would not receive direct OT services for just sensory or selfcare delays.
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| Posted 3/22/11 7:05 PM |
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Re: Questions about CPSE evaluations and my child's rights
Posted by iluvmynutty
OT can be the only service a student receives on an iep at the EI or CPSE Level. once they move to CSE, It becomes a secondary related service and the student must require either speech or some kind of special ed, educational service such as a special class or resource room. How old is Ur child. We he/she be entering kindergarten in Sept? In order to qualify for OT he/she will need to score greater than two standard deviations below the mean on a bell curve in one Ot area or score greater than 1 and a half standard deviations below the mean in two OT areas. Areas assessed meaning fine motor, visual motor and visual perceptual skills. A preschooler can receive Ot services for sensory processing and selfcare delays as well. A School age, Cse Student would not receive direct OT services for just sensory or selfcare delays.
DC is going to K in 2012 not this fall. So we have one year with CPSE.
I don't have the reports. The OT mentioned that DC is the very bottom borderline between the categories but is in the 1.5 standard deviations category. DC has fine motor and they are evaluating her for sensory processing (asking the teacher to evaluate my DC as well in this category). The OT felt that DC had sensory issues that needed further explorations (which is why the teacher was given an evaluation to fill out as well). We only spoke for 3 mins but she mentioned something about being in the 3% and to only need 1 deficit you need to be 2.5%. It is very hard to talk with 2 children running all over and listening in - so I'm kind of on hold waiting for their reports.
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| Posted 3/22/11 8:00 PM |
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iluvmynutty
Mom to E&M
Member since 12/08 1762 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Questions about CPSE evaluations and my child's rights
It sounds like she would qualify for OT based on fine motor and sensory needs. I'm an ot and I never tell the parent recommendations right after an evaluate without scoring it first unless Its very obvious whether he or she would qualify. If the child's skills are borderline I wait to score it and gather as much info as I can from parent and teacher report.
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| Posted 3/23/11 1:43 PM |
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iluvmynutty
Mom to E&M
Member since 12/08 1762 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Questions about CPSE evaluations and my child's rights
It sounds like she would qualify for OT based on fine motor and sensory needs. I'm an ot and I never tell the parent recommendations right after an evaluate without scoring it first unless Its very obvious whether he or she would qualify. If the child's skills are borderline I wait to score it and gather as much info as I can from parent and teacher report.
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| Posted 3/23/11 1:43 PM |
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