Requesting home hours - UPDATED

Update: He is getting a SEIT 2x90 at home starting April 16th. I didn't have to fight at all. Comsewogue offered after hearing me speak. I didn't even have to ask. I was pleasantly surprised/shocked.


We have our annual CPSE in two weeks and want to request home hours for speech. DS has done so well, but he is still struggling in this area big time. He does not speak in full sentences ever. When he does say a few things we can barely understand him, which leads him to become frustrated. He never initiates other than to say juicebox or iPad. We know the words are there, he's just not getting them out. There are so many other things he is working on at school and he is doing so well with them. I just feel like he could really benefit from some extra hours at home. My BIL and SIL are both Special Ed teachers and they suggested it to me (they see DS all the time).

I'm sure the district will say no, but it's worth a shot. Any suggestions on how to ask or what to bring as supporting evidence is greatly appreciated. He is in a 6-hour program right now at school, he's 4 and is PDD/NOS).

Thank you!

Message edited 3/27/2012 10:25:11 AM.

Re: Requesting home hours

Don't have any advice how to get additional speech, above what the school provides from the school district. But very often you can go through insurance ...many speech therapists take insurance. If you have a low deductible for out of network therapists that is also something to look into. I have a very high deductible so it hasn't kicked in yet, but once it does, my insurance will pay 60%. The private SLP I use no longer takes insurance but she used to. She also comes to our home.

Just wanted to throw that idea out there in case your SD denies extra speech.

Re: Requesting home hours

I have 2 on the spectrum (1 ASD-he's 7, 1 PDD-NOS-he's 3)
They both get home services. My 7 year old gets 5 days a week, 2 hour sessions and my 3 year old gets 3 hours a week for maintance. They don't get speech specifically, ABA. I don't know if you'd get just speech (I don't know anyone personally who does) but ABA you could fight for- use the word maintance. With my first guy I actually had to fight for it and gave them a list of outside districts that provide home services. So if you feel it's right, fight for it! GL

Re: Requesting home hours

DS is 4.5 never had to request it, it was just given to us.

he has been getting 3x30 of speech at home since he transitioned into CPSE (he used to get 3x45 of speech in EI) he is ASD and gets 5 hours of SEIT at home as well.

he goes to a school which is ABA based and has 2 teachers, one special ed and one speech.

we never asked for it, its just something that was given to us.

he is very verbal, a minimalist when it comes to conversing.

i would speak to his speech therapist at school, and list all things he needs the extra help with and present it to the district.

Re: Requesting home hours

Thanks so much for the responses. DS is at DDI, which is ABA based, and they have been wonderful with him. His language is emerging, but I just feel like he needs more time with it.

I might look into a speech therapist out of pocket if they deny my request for home hours. Which I am sure they will with these tight budgets coming up. I didn't know some accept insurance so that is helpful.

Re: Requesting home hours

Re: Requesting home hours

Thanks Diane. I spoke with his teacher and the Coordinator and they said they will both be at his meeting in person and will help me try and get it. They said each district is different and maybe mine will be proactive. Yeah right! They don't have experience with my district though because I live an hour from the DDI in Huntington. I guess it won't hurt to ask.

Thanks again everyone. This sucks on so many different levels. Stresssssss!

Re: Requesting home hours

Occasionally you can have the district approve what is called a dual program. Your DS can attend school and receive services their (most likely a half day) and then get some services at home, but everything must be completed by a certain time for CPSE. My DS has feeding problems so this was suggested by our social worker in order to keep the feeding therapy at home for carryover. The districts don't love this but do give it if necessary. We have decided to send our DS to a school with a specialized feeding program and then once a week I hope to get family training at the school because our therapists believe that the full day program will be more beneficial for socialization and speech. I know a lot of agencies do take insurance for speech but sometimes feeding and speech both count toward speech.

Re: Requesting home hours

Re: Requesting home hours

Yes, we did Huntington because it is 5-minutes from my job and had integration classes right in the same building.

I will let everyone know how it works out.

Anyone know who to contact for Speech if I have to use my insurance? I have no idea where to look. Thank you.

Re: Requesting home hours

Re: Requesting home hours

Thanks so much for the information. He has an appointment next week with our PED, so I will ask him for the script.

Re: Requesting home hours - UPDATED

Update: He is getting a SEIT 2x90 at home starting April 16th. I didn't have to fight at all. Comsewogue offered after hearing me speak. I didn't even have to ask. I was pleasantly surprised/shocked.

Re: Requesting home hours - UPDATED

Re: Requesting home hours - UPDATED

I'm so happy to hear!!

Re: Requesting home hours - UPDATED

Excellent !!!

Re: Requesting home hours - UPDATED

Thanks everyone...

Good luck, Diane!