How do we afford the help!

[karybeth]

Hi all, our son, Dima, 5, is already getting speech therapy (he was adopted from Russia at 3 y/o, was born at 35 weeks, so we don't know whether his speech is just off because of the move from on Russian to English, or if prematurity figures in) and is being evaluated for sensory issues next week (he has trouble focusing). Speech is already $118 a weeka and O/t would be another $118 a week, how do you all swing these costs? We told the o/t therapist we might need to limit therapy but get a lot of stuff we can do at home after the test and she said we could do that. We did get him tested for free services and he was not severe enough to qualify (while I am grateful his issues are not major, I'm sad we can't get some free therapy). Our income is too high for aid and our insuranc edoesn't cover these costs. Any ideas?

[monicag]

Hi,
It is a hard road....we have been lucky because our insurance does cover some of the services. They key is having a diagnosis. I was once told that you need an Autism or ADHD diagnosis to get any services paid for....(I live in Pennsylvania).
I don't know how true it is? I see you are in Maryland. We took my son (now 5) to John's Hopkins for an evaluation and it was wonderful. He was basically developmentally delayed and had no speech. They gave him the autism label and it really helped with services. Unfortunately so much red tape is attached to things these days it makes it so hard to get what you need. Since your little guy is 5, is he going to school? I know that an IEP can define what he needs and then you may be able to get services in the school setting that you would not have to pay for. Anyway...feel free to pm me and we can chat some more.
Monica

[wuvmyangel93]

Your son should definitely qualify for services NO matter what. Your son is 5 and even if you are homeschooling him you can get your school district to pay for his therapy, maybe NOT as many hours as you are currently doing but they will pay.

If he is NOT yet in school have your district evaluate him for services based on the SI diagnosis he would qualify, based on the speech he would qualify.

You can also contact your state's division of developmental disabilities or medicaid and ask them if they have a medicaid waiver program most have one called the katie beckett or something similiar where the parents income isn't looked at.

Yes there may be a waiting list but in most states there is help its just a long road to find the help since no one ever wants to be helpful, parents of special children yes, those that provide the services most often not.

If I can help further please email me [e-mail] I do advocacy for kids with special needs and gifted students.

[karybeth]

Thank you both for your replies. We did have him tested for aid in the county system and he was not "delayed" enough. Yikes!! We do have some hope though for free services as he enters kindergarten in the fall, and his K teacher can request speech services at the school for him, and if the testing today does result in a diagnosis of some "processing or attention" disorder I will call the principal and ask what hte can do at the school. We are at a great school for speech services as it is a deaf/hard of hearing magnet school so the speech teacher is excellent. I guess if we can make it to September we may be OK.

I forgot to mention I believe my older sons (6) K teacher requested Dima be in her class as she knows him and likes him, so I think she will do her best for him.

[wuvmyangel93]

WOW not delayed enough I hate that sentence. I will pray the school gives him all the supports he needs and make sure to get him tested for an IEP as soon as he enters school, it will help him.