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Post by cantlaugh on Oct 4, 2006 10:30:40 GMT -5
I was totally blown away by Early Intervention. Keytyn was followed by what is called in ND "Right Tracks"...
Right Tracks is simply a tracking service provided in ND to all infants that are born prematurely. It simply makes sure that premature infants are making the gains necessary to get caught up with his/her peers.
When Keytyn's development began to slow, or basically not develop...."Right Tracks" made a referal to Early Intervention...I was expecting it to be another....Well what are you doing wrong as a parent type of service...
I was blown away when they came in, and did the assessment, and gently broke the news to me that imho Perfect child was 8 months old and only functioning in many areas just above a 3 month old....With a greater the 50% delay in three different areas....
What is more, then I expected to hear more of "Your the mother you need too, spend more time with him, work on this more, read more, etc. etc. etc....."
Never once have I been pressured to do more...Yes they show things to do in our natural play time to help with his development...I haven't been made out to be a BAD parent. That felt so good....I haven't once found that I was being pressured to hang some type of big Diagnosis on this baby, that will follow him for the rest of his life......
The sad thing is this....Early Intervention (though not always called that in every state), is available to any and every child. The EI services are free. They are FREE, because Our US Constitution, Public Law 83 (might be 88), and Public Law 93, and Title IX, and Title X promise our children a FREE and PUBLIC education.
The services of EI, continue to go unused, and in truth funding for this program is being cut in some States because of under utilization....
Those of us that receive EI services need to talk about, share about, and recomend to other parents whose child may benefit from EI services.
Things people do not know...
A child does not need any type of diagnosis until age 8 to meet the qualifications of EI.
EI is totally funded through Federal Dollars, through the state department of health. Which means Your state receives a certain amount of dollars for there EI programs. If that money is not used, the state looses that money.
Many States have began to automatically qualify a child that needs EI services for Medical Assistance. Meaning that parents do not even have to pay a co-pay for this child's medical needs. What private insurance doesn't pay, MA does pay.....
Talk to people and share your expereinces, and get this information to the public....USE EI, it is there....Our tax dollars may as well serve our own children, in a beneficial way.....The government has no problem spending my tax dollars to house criminals.....
Just wanted to share...
Love
Donna
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Post by gabeandgavinsmommy on Oct 4, 2006 12:37:48 GMT -5
That's wonderful that you have that there. Here we have developmental clinic. Preemies go to the clinic until they're 2. If they're showing developmental delays they will set them up with someone to help. Gabe was seeing a speech path because he had problems wih sucking and swallowing for a really long time. He was seeing an OT because he was behind in gross motor skills for awhile. We fill out questionaires and see them every 3 months. I think it's fantastic.
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Post by cantlaugh on Oct 4, 2006 13:03:33 GMT -5
Oh Christina....I am so glad that you have services that are available in Canada also....Let others know, so that the Countries continue to keep the services available, and the dollars cotinue to be available for the support of the services...I know your systems are so different then ours in the US....If it is available...USE it..
Love
Donna
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Post by Myra on Oct 4, 2006 13:21:21 GMT -5
We used early intervention here and got Speech therapy and Occupational therapy for John at no charge until he turned 3. Everyone was wonderful and so helpful. We didn't get evaluated till he was 18 months old and I wish I had gone to them sooner. I miss my early intervention team. In Florida EI ends at age 3 and the school system takes over. They are way harder to deal with.
It is so good to see you here Donna and I can't wait to hear how little Keytyn continues to devlop and catch up.
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Post by babs on Oct 4, 2006 13:45:36 GMT -5
Ohio is the same way- at age 3 the 'head start' rrogram kicks in. I don't feel like our EI person is doing enough. She hasn't ever suggested to me anything and is always asking if she can recommend something that I'm doing with Brody to another parent!  |
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em
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Post by em on Oct 4, 2006 14:14:01 GMT -5
We are doing EI. Right now we aren't doing much since he just had surgery. But hope to jump in full force in the next few weeks. We are the same way with Head Start program kicking in at age 3. I also felt like our EI person wasn't doing enough.....so I called and requested someone else....nearly having to bust out my pepper spray to get it. But, am much happier now and can't wait to start really "pushing" Gabey. Ohio is the same way- at age 3 the 'head start' rrogram kicks in. I don't feel like our EI person is doing enough. She hasn't ever suggested to me anything and is always asking if she can recommend something that I'm doing with Brody to another parent! UGH would you like me to send you some pepper spray?? I think there would be a lot of people with some burning eyes if you and I had anything to do with it! ((((BIG HUGS))))) Em |
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Post by rachelandtyke on Oct 4, 2006 15:34:48 GMT -5
We have our EI eval on the 17th. In VA if you make above a certain amount of money you have to pay for services, but it is on a low-cost sliding scale. We are one of the only states like that. We will have to way the services they offer with what our copays would be if we stay with private therapy. We've been private for over a year now, so we may just stick with it. We love the place where we go.
I have referred a number of people to have either a private or EI eval since I have spent the last year in "therapy world".
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Post by nicoledoug on Oct 4, 2006 16:51:21 GMT -5
Donna we are  Noah was approved for speech services through EI...I too wish more ppl were aware this program is available..."no child left behind" is the motto, right? WEll it doesn't seem to be holding water if they aren't being informed of these programs! |
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becca
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Post by becca on Oct 4, 2006 17:21:40 GMT -5
You know ... The caseworker we had most of the time the children were foster status never, ever suggested using EI for Robbie. I didn't even know what it was until about 2 months before adoption ... when I was told by an adoption worker that if I wanted special services through DCFS after adoption I would have to have an EI evaluation. The only services he would have received was speech, which he was already getting through the local hospital/paid for by medicaid. He'd been with this speech therapist for several months by then and would have been bad for Robbie to change to the EI therapist. So, we lost out on that ...
Then, our school district started a program called EduCare for one and two-year-olds. Basically, it's preschool for at-risk kids under the age of three. It's offered 5days a week, all day, but each family can decide how much their child attends. There, Robbie gets extra speech therapy (which doesn't disqualify him for his main speech therapy paid for by medicaid, though I was afraid it would). He also gets one-on-one attention from a child-life specialist to work on anything he needs. Right now they are working on concepts (beside, over, under, in front of, etc). It's been amazing. Right now, he goes twice a week, all day (only because he wouldn't do well going to daycare afterward, so he just stays all day). I *think* this new program is funded by EI dollars.
So glad you are getting great help from EI, Donna. I pray for Keyten all the time. Thanks for the update!
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Post by babs on Oct 4, 2006 21:00:14 GMT -5
We are doing EI. Right now we aren't doing much since he just had surgery. But hope to jump in full force in the next few weeks. We are the same way with Head Start program kicking in at age 3. I also felt like our EI person wasn't doing enough.....so I called and requested someone else....nearly having to bust out my pepper spray to get it. But, am much happier now and can't wait to start really "pushing" Gabey. Ohio is the same way- at age 3 the 'head start' rrogram kicks in. I don't feel like our EI person is doing enough. She hasn't ever suggested to me anything and is always asking if she can recommend something that I'm doing with Brody to another parent! UGH would you like me to send you some pepper spray?? I think there would be a lot of people with some burning eyes if you and I had anything to do with it! ((((BIG HUGS))))) Em This is our second worker!!!The first one I believe lost her job because of not coming when she said she would and then told her supervisor that it was MY fault! Luckily I saved her voice mails and played them for her so I was avenged ;D! B is doing pretty well though.....well except for that sucking thing but he loves a s p o o n dipped in apple juice!!!!!  And yes, I need that pepper spray please! |
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Post by wuvmyangel93 on Oct 4, 2006 21:09:06 GMT -5
We have our EI eval on the 17th. In VA if you make above a certain amount of money you have to pay for services, but it is on a low-cost sliding scale
This is absolutely false
early intervention is free in all 50 states and I can help you fight this if you want. If your child qualifies you pay nothing.
I too did not have kali-morie evaluated until 3 1/2 years old, no one talked about early intervention services, eventhough her brother had therapy and that's where I finally took her to be evaluated I waited and waited hoping her dr. would give guidance.
It was frustrating all the years we missed.
This with having a home health person come in weekly for her first 2 years of life, even she did not mention early intervention.
At age 3 in every state if a child still qualifies you will be allowed to place them in your district's preschool program at no cost with services continuing.
If your income is low enough you can chose head start.
But early intervention, public school, etc. are all free.
After age 3 there are 13 federal categories that your child can qualify under and they can qualify for services on an IEP and a 504 at the same time.
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Post by thankful heart on Oct 5, 2006 21:12:31 GMT -5
We used Early Intervention with Joshua for physical and speech therapy. I found the program to be awesome! They worked well with us and kept us informed and part of the process. I was given the reasoning behind the exercises and suggestions for keeping up the therapies at home. I even became good friends with Josh's PT.
Yes, I think everyone should be told of these services. We were given the information by our pediatrician.
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Post by Corinne on Oct 6, 2006 8:00:40 GMT -5
Tim started EI at 5 months old. I knew he was not progressing normally but his pedi would not recommend any further testing. He kept giving me the line "he is a premie, hel'll catch up" I took matters into my own hands.
Tim received the services free. He had free dental care, all his formula was paid for and his diapers were paid for once he reached the age of 3. It had nothing to do with our income.
Corinne
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Post by monicag on Oct 6, 2006 13:55:23 GMT -5
Jesse got services at 9 months old. Started with OT because he had tortacollis. He then got PT and a Special Teacher now he gets on a weekly basis:
1 hour of speech (for a child that is non-verbal...not nearly enough)
1 hour of Occupational Therapy
2 hours of Physical therapy
5 hours of ABA where they are teaching him PECS
1 hour of Special Ed teacher
This is NO where near enough. Makes me sick. Every time we ask for more they tell us he is progressing...they only give more if they aren't progressing. OK he'll be 3 on November 11th and has NO speech. HOw is that progressing... OH I forgot he makes sounds...
I'm so sick of fighting this system. When he turns 3 it gets worse. I'm really tired of it but I have to keep fighting. I also hear that at 3 if he is still in diapers they will pay....I'd rather have behavioural therapy teach him to potty train. Can't get them to do that either.
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Noah was approved for speech services through EI...I too wish more ppl were aware this program is available..."no child left behind" is the motto, right? WEll it doesn't seem to be holding water if they aren't being informed of these programs!
