Had CPSE meeting today. Very upset

Things did not go as well as I had hoped. After touring all the schools in my area for DD, I had decided on DDI for her. I really like the teachers and the program there, and I really feel like the mix of students in that school would be the best fit for her.

Here's the problem: I was going into the meeting requesting 5 sessions of PT, 4 of speech and 3 of OT. The "policy" of DDI is to max out therapy for their students at PT 3/week, speech 3/week and OT 2/week. Currently she is getting a total of 3 hours per week of PT, 2.25 of speech, and 1.5 of OT plus going to school 3x/week. So that is all they would approve for her. So essentially, she will be losing 1.5hrs of PT, 0.75 of speech and 0.5 of OT. So I guess I have to wait to see if she beings to lose skills, or to stop progressing before I can do anything about it. And, if I do decide to do something about it, I have to move her to a different school, none of which I was happy with for her in the first place.

This is very tough for me.

Re: Had CPSE meeting today. Very upset

Is she transitioning from EI? I think all the districts drop the hours across the board and it does suck.

I think the schools do cap the services at a certain # of sessions per week, unless there is an overwhelming reason to have more. I think what DDI is telling you is common among most of the preschools. Instead of looking at other schools, I would ask the district to provide what the school will not provide for you at home. They probably won't want to, but if you can make a strong enough case for it, they may approve them. I think other schools are pretty much going to tell you the same thing DDI is saying. I know we were told that the school would not provide more than 2x a week OT when I asked.

Re: Had CPSE meeting today. Very upset

I asked about additional at home and they told me no. They said she either gets Center Based, or Home Based, but that she can't get a mix of the 2! And I know for a fact of other kids who are getting it. So I don't know. I think I'm going to go to the Board of Directors at DDI because my daughter has a unique diagnosis, and needs more services than what they're used to. My EIOD has said that other schools don't cap the therapies like DDI does. She is calling Alternatives to ask them if they do. So we'll see.

Re: Had CPSE meeting today. Very upset

I know it's a pain in the butt but maybe go through insurance privately? I did that for my older son for speech when I felt he wasn't getting enough. I hope it works out.

Re: Had CPSE meeting today. Very upset

Message edited 4/18/2012 8:23:28 AM.

Re: Had CPSE meeting today. Very upset

IEP = INDIVIDUALIZED !

If your dd needs more PT than what they "normally" give...then she should get it !!!

Do whatever you can to see if you can pull up research on her diagnosis and the treatment plans. Maybe even go to a renowned place like NYU-RUSK and get her evaluated by a PT there (maybe a dept lead) and have them write up something in favor of what your dd truly needs. Also any physician that she sees that can support her need for extra services, should write a letter.

Even if DDI doesn't have the allotment in their day, then I would think the SD should allow you to see an additional PT at an agency after school hours. That is NONSENSE that there is just "HOME" vs "SCHOOL".

There are so many components....and DDI may be great academically for your dd but for more of her healthcare components she needs more than what they offer (healthcare meaning, speech, OT and PT).

Get an advocate ! Bombard them with every single bit of research you can compile that supports your wish.

And as rbsbabies stated, check with insurance and see what they will cover privately. Sometimes it's a lot and not worth getting aggravated with SD.

Message edited 4/18/2012 10:37:09 AM.

Re: Had CPSE meeting today. Very upset

Will your child be attending the school p/t or f/t?

If it's p/t, I think impedes the kids progress being pulled out so much in the short amount of time. If it's f/t, that's a different story.

They are obviously not being honest with you regarding home services. Perhaps they haven't done it in their district, but it can be done.

Message edited 4/18/2012 3:58:33 PM.

Re: Had CPSE meeting today. Very upset

A friend of mine son has multiple services that he recieves through out the day. They have had a lot of luck with NIS in Yaphank. Her son goes 9-2 full day so they can get all the services in. I would have to find out if there is a cap on the amount of hours.

Re: Had CPSE meeting today. Very upset

i have heard some great things about DDI and not so great things.. one is what you have stated and 2 they don't allow 1:1.

if you feel she needs more fight for it... make sure you have all necessary documentation needed and fight like crazy...

i know when DS was going into CPSE he got center based and home hours

Re: Had CPSE meeting today. Very upset

remember you have the right to have a program review if you think she is regressing.

Re: Had CPSE meeting today. Very upset

Ugh! I am so sorry to hear this. We have our meeting on Wednesday and are looking for a very similar program.

I was told to request a dual program for my DS. Essentially you get approved for a school based program and a home based program. My DS has severe feeding issues (tube fed) so I want a therapist coming to our house 1 time per week to train me on what they are working on at school. They said this would be considered family training. Also the evaluator said he would benefit from ST 5 times per week and he has been getting PT 5 times a week and OT 3 times per week. The school we selected (UCP) told me they weren't sure if they could accommodate all the those services so I am prepared to ask for some of them at home or at an agency.

Our therapists believe its possible to get this as we have a definite diagnosis and based on his progress to date- which I know is similar for you as well. This isn't something the school offers but it is done sometimes when requested.

I am not sure if this is still possible but our therapist also told me to "Table the meeting" if I didn't like what was being offered, or wanted to think about the plan that was offered. In your situation it would give you an opportunity to explore other schools ect. If absolutely necessary I do know a parent advocate that is apparently "ruthless" and gets you anything and everything. But she sometimes sets up a poor relationship between you and the school district.

I am waiting to use our insurance until absolutely necessary because I anticipate needing to pay for services when my DS is school age so I am saving up my $$$ for then. FM me with any questions.

Re: Had CPSE meeting today. Very upset

If she were to go to a different school would your district approve more services?

Re: Had CPSE meeting today. Very upset

Re: Had CPSE meeting today. Very upset

Re: Had CPSE meeting today. Very upset

Fight like hell!!!! you know what your daughter needs more than anyone. It's so sad us parents of special needs children have to argue with school districts to help our children!! Makes me soooo mad!!!!
when DS#1 went from EI to Preschool they cut his hours too! Only now 4 months after he has started did they give me the some of the time I had asked for since the beginning. It makes me so frustrated!
I hope your daughter gets the therapies she needs! Good luck!

Re: Had CPSE meeting today. Very upset

I just found out that the development preschools receive a flat tuition rate for your child. They basically get a set rate per day, not based on the amount of therapies your child receives. This might be the reason some school are hesitant to give more than 3 of any therapy. So it really the preschool that is being difficult in this situation. I had heard that DDI limited the number of therapies- particularly PT and OT.

Re: Had CPSE meeting today. Very upset

That sucks. Zoey gets speech x3 ot x2 in a half day program 5 days a week and gets 4 hours of ABA at home/week. She had 2 initially before her diagnosis then they upped it to 4. We are in Levittown and we are very lucky because they seem to care about the kids and not just money.

Message edited 5/25/2012 6:09:26 PM.

Re: Had CPSE meeting today. Very upset