I will never understand our education system when it comes to our children needing therapy. At the age of 3 my son started with early childhood interventions at an AMAZING school called united services. His teachers were amazing, our case worker was familial and everyone worked as a team when it came to my son. See my son barely spoke, he maybe had a ten word vocab and was unable to handle any stimuli at that point. I remember the day he graduated from United service, seems like yesterday. Full blown sentences, textures didn’t bother him so much anymore, and he was able to at least get his hands messy and not (freak out) that he had to wait a couple minutes to be able to wash them off…however there were still many more issues he would need constant work with.
Never did I think that him going into kindergarten would change everything. See I knew he was going to need a school aged IEP and I never once thought that they would drop it because I mean it clearly started that he showed sensory delays in all aspects except sector 4….so it was clear he needed therapy right? NO, see the thing about my son is he is very smart…when tested on his educational standpoint he did not show any concerns, he was in fact above grade level in most.
Now Blake is in 1st grade, he does receive some sensory therapy : a special gel pad seat, a fabric blanket, stress balls, and a chew item but that’s it…he has no one to help him otherwise. We have a place here called leaps and bounds however it is a out of network place and well it’s very costly and I am a single mother. I know that might sound bad and by all means my son is first in my life and his care is also but I try to do as much as I can at home to help him because money is just so tight. I guess my point is why on earth will his school not continue to help him, they know he needs it so why take something away that will benefit him down the road and help him isn’t that what school is about….to learn.
Comments
cynkingfeeling
Amanda, please don’t think anyone will judge you because a therapy is expensive. In my opinion, the fact that you shared your story here shows that your son truly is first in your life more than spending a lot of money.
My son is still in a great preschool, so I’m trying to focus on that rather than worrying about his future in school. But I would be lying if I said I don’t get a bit anxious thinking how he’s not going to have all of the support he is getting now.
Monica Whitt
Not to scare anyone, but kindergarten was the worst year of my life. After it, i made arrangements for a summer program at a private special needs school bc she could NOT go that long without services. The improvement was so immediate and striking that she’s done first grade and now second there. I’m still recovering (wow, realizing that just made me cry)
I couldn’t tell, are you in a private school or public school setting?
Monica
Susan S.
I feel your frustration. My son’s school system doesn’t even recognize SPD as a condition to receive therapy for. He went to a wonderful developmental preschool, where he received ST and OT for small motor planning. But he has never gotten therapy for SPD from the school system. It’s aways been private therapy, on us. Thankfully my husband’s health insurance through his work covered it.
Unfortunately, when it comes to my son’s sensory (and anxiety) issues, I have had to talk with each and every one of his teachers to describe how my son is, and what helps him. Some of his teachers have been great, and others basically dismissed me.
I did get a 504 Plan in place, based on SPD, and you will want to go this route. But it probably won’t get therapy, just accomodations that it sounds like you already have for him. It’s a good idea to get what he’s already got, formalized, in case he runs up against a teacher one year who doesn’t understand.
Just keep the lines of communication between you and your child’s teacher and school in general, as open as you can. And remember, that as your son grows, he will learn how to give himself the input he needs (with your guidance).
Lelah
Our district doesn’t actually offer that type of formal therapy once they hit elementary school. It has to all be private. We only get accommodations/modifications to use therapy tools. And it is VERY expensive–our insurance does not cover it at all.
You do what you need to do for your child, but sometimes it makes you pick and choose between your kids. A fact of life is the money is not infinite. There is a definite end and you can’t go beyond. I’ve found it’s just best to use therapy sparingly at this point (first grade). We do a monthly session and the therapist gives me ideas and guidance on things to use at home and how. We have it in the IEP on what we want used at school and how (just had an ARD today). It’s, amazingly, working.
Heather F.
We were given no options through our public school either. My son tested at the level of a just turned 3 year old when he was over 4 1/2. My district doesn’t do OT as a stand alone service so we have been private pay the whole time. It’s super expensive (we had insurance the first year-but my hubby lost his full time job 2 years ago and has only found part time work-with no benefits). If not for my amazing mother in law-we wouldn’t be in OT.
Being a teacher, I am fairly well educated in the “laws” of special needs. SPD does not, in and of itself, qualify for an IEP (some school districts will recognize it-but don’t have to due to it not being in the DSM). Depending on how much money each school district gets, and how many special needs kids there are determines the “cut off” for services. My son would have to have a 50% delay to get an IEP for OT. And even then, the school is only required to do OT in ways that will help him in school. Like they wouldn’t have to help with wood texture issues, or clothing/tags in clothing problems.
I wish there was an easy answer for you. I pray you find some sort of compromise with his school. Keep fighting the good fight momma! We are all behind you!
Surviving the Chaos
I think it all comes down to a money issue…the school has none so only kids who are failing are going to get services…my son’s pediatrician and OT both recommended we start preschool at three saying ‘he will qualify for ST’ We went for the screener and he ‘passed his speech just fine’…The ST said all they look at is individual sounds- not his ability to put them together or talk in sentences…? Guess we are going to have to get the outpatient speech eval! I definately understand what you mean about cost…outpatient therapy is so expensive and we were really hoping to get speech through school!
Stanley
SPD is not yet in the DSM, so presumably it’s not a basis for getting an IEP (or the services that would stem from it).
Your kid is entitled to a Free **Appropriate** Public Education – not the best education on this planet. He’s entitled to services to assist him in accessing his **appropriate** education at school — nothing beyond that. (You know, like NT kids??). Your son is able to access the curriculum and is thus in an EDUCATIONAL context not in need of additional assistance.