Moving to LI - Preschooler w/Dev Delay

Hi all!

I just spent a little while reading up on here and I definitely need help. We're moving into the Smithtown school district next week. My 4 year old rambunctious dude has a complicated medical history, and while has no major issues at this point, still has developmental (OT/PT/ST) delays, and attention issues. No formal dx at this time. Right now he is in a blended school district preschool class (2.5 hrs 5x/week) and receiving 30min/week of each therapy.

I called the Smithtown school district and they said it might take weeks to get him a NY evaluation and figure out where they are going to place him. I was under the impression that they had to provide him 'similar' services as in his current IEP while waiting for the new eval. Kiddo LOVES school, and even a week off of school throws him totally off, I can't imagine a month or more.

Anyone have any suggestions, or general comments as far as programs available? Seems like there are A TON more choices and types of programs than there are here (here pretty much everyone gets the exact same program, minutes, and goals, it's really sad). I'm feeling VERY overwhelmed.

Also, if anyone has any comments/suggestions as far as which hospital we should go to for all his specialists - GI, Pulm, Neph, Endo, Genetics, Developmental, etc, etc, etc, pretty much all of them. I've heard good things about LIJ, but I'm not opposed to the city either. Although in an emergency that might be a little unrealistic. I want to get all the specialists from the 'same place' tho, since then they might talk to each other.

Lastly, any information out there about the medicaid waivers available and how to qualify or if they have too long of a waitlist to bother?

Thank you all so much in advance for any help/guidance. It's so complicated moving to a whole new system of things when I just barely feel like I conquered the one here after 4 years!

Thanks!
Confused Katy, Mom to Ryan

Moving to LI - Preschooler w/Dev Delay

Hi, I can't comment on the school districts, since my kids are younger, but my 16 month old also has a complicated medical history and we see a lot of doctors at Cohen's Children's Medical Center which is part of LIJ. We have had a good experience there and since its a children's hospital, they have all of the specialities and is very easy for all of them to communicate. Some are in the main hospital and others are office buildings right down the street. i also like having the lab right there. We see Dr. Speiser for endocrinology and Dr. Sethna for nephrology. Dr. Fox is Genetics. Let me know if you have any other specific questions!

Re: Moving to LI - Preschooler w/Dev Delay

I don't know about the school district thing, but I too thought that if you currently have an IEP that they had to pick that up until new evals were done and all those processes were in place. I'd call back the district on that.

As for pediatric specialists, I've used the Good Samaritan Pediatric Specialists. They have all of them in the same building, and they are really easy to work with. I've used GI, pulmonary, and neurology there. The # is 321-2190.

And I have no idea about the Medicaid Waiver program either. It is like a big cloud up there that I've heard about but have never actually had anything to do with, and have never been offered by anybody. Sorry.

Moving to LI - Preschooler w/Dev Delay

Just wanted to add based on the post above, we also in addition to Cohen's, see 3 specialists at Good Samaritan Pediatric Specialists. They are also very good..

Re: Moving to LI - Preschooler w/Dev Delay

By law they have thirty days to have an IEP A where they decide he needs an evaluation or if they accept the IEP as is. In the meantime, he IS eligible for special education services as outlined by his current plan.

Re: Moving to LI - Preschooler w/Dev Delay