School system

[Guest guest]

Jeanne,

The school system is never helpful when they have to spend money. I have

dealt with school systems in 2 different states and they are no different.

You are in the difficult, nearly impossible position of proving that your

child has needs. They will not take your opinion, you must have everything

documented by a doctor and put in writing. This in itself is difficult

because doctors do not always like to put things in writing. Once you have

that information, then you can go to the school system and fight for your

childs rights. At any time they can disagree with your doctor and his opinion

and deny your child services. They do this based on space for your child. If

the SLP is busy and or booked, they will decide your child has no needs and

does not qualify. It's all a crapshoot, at best. The best you can do is

request an outside independent evaluation by a specialist in verbal apraxia.

There is also free legal representation for your child available through the

americans with disabilities act. The school district is obligated to provide

you with this information and it is to all be free. None of this will be

forth coming. You have to demand it and in a timely fashion. If time limits

expire along the way, they are no longer obligated and you have to start the

process all over again with a new department. Be sure and ask if you are

restricted by any limitations of time. Get everything in writing and keep on

the phone every single day. They must respond to you so, make sure you call

every day. " Hi, I'm Bob's mom and calling to see what's happening with his

IEP. " Do the same thing every day. You'll get an answer just because they are

sick of talking to you.

You'll cry, throw things and scream at no one for no reason before they are

done with you, but, keep your eyes on the prize. The help you are seeking is

for a good cause and, just like you would run into a burning building to help

your child, you have to keep at this until you get the answers you want and

need. Only this is way more frustrating than a burning building.

Second, get your child on omega3 and keep him on it for a long time. What,

really do you have to lose at this point??

Take care and keep me posted.

Michele

[Guest guest]

You need a Doctor's note from a pediatric nuerologist outlining the therapy

he needs. This is the key to the kingdom.

-----Original Message-----

From: antfranandnicky@... <antfranandnicky@...>

>Hi,

>

>I wondering if anyone could help me out with a problem I'm having with

>the school system. My son is making the transition from the EI program

[Guest guest]

jeanne, i have heard of this before. in our county if the child has low cog.

scores and low speech they are accepted into the program, but they don't get

direct speech therapy, its considered overall special ed, without the direct

speech therapy that the child desperatelyneeds...i don't know why or how

this can be and haven't had to deal with it yet because my son won't be 3

until sept., and does not have cog. issues, but i have already rec'd the

info about this and was baffeled to learn they can do such a thing...if you

can't get the appropriate info from the education team at the school or the

superintendent, contact the advocacy dept for your area...hope this helps..

ann

cherub of southern mississippi

[Guest guest]

Hi Jeanne -

I'm not sure what state you're working with but I am in New Jersey and my

son was recently accepted into an outdistrict program because I was able to

prove that my town program was not appropriate for my son's needs. One of

the strong arguments I had for my town was that my son is very intelligent

(he actually scored above average in his IQ tests) but his speech levels are

extremely low and I had an issue putting him in a classroom with children

with a very wide range of cognitive abilities because I was afraid that

would hold my son back. Nothing against the children with a variety of

cognitive levels, but the one thing my son has going for him is that he's a

bright kid, he just has major speech delays. I was afraid that would hold

him back. My point to you is, they had no problem putting him into the

program knowing that he " only " had a speech delay. They did not hold his

normal intelligence against him at all. You need to have a dr. document the

severity of Apraxia and the fact that speech therapy is an absolute

necessity for future improvement. If necessary, bring articles backing up

your request and the fact that your child needs therapy.

You mentioned that your son is in EI. Could/would his current speech

therapist write up a report documenting the importance of him being put in a

preschool disabled program with intensive oral motor therapy? The more

professionals you can get to document this, the stronger your case is. It's

one thing to have a mom standing there telling them things, but it's another

to read it from a dr. and/or a speech therapist. Get both reports if

possible. I hope that helps you.

from NJ

KDR-1@...

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 03/28/2001 5:08:10 PM US Mountain Standard Time, antfranandnicky@... writes:

I'm so glad someone else can relate. My son was the same way when they

were evaluating him, every time they wanted words out of his mouth he

got turned off. The one lady I talked to who is going to evaluate him

again seemed really nice and said she is very familiar with apraxia. So

I hope this next evaluation goes better. What happened with your son? Did you put him in that class they offered

you? Thanks for the support

Jeanne

Hi, Jeanne. No, I definitely did not put him in that 'classroom' they offered. At this point, it looks like we are going to homeschool him. He has been making good progress at home.

[Guest guest]

Hi,

First I want to thank everyone again for the support when I was having a

hard time getting into the school system. After re-testing him

they are going to give him speech theparpy 3 times a week half hour

sessions. But he will be in the class with 4 other kids. I really was

upset because I can't see how he will get what he needs in a half hour

with 4 other kids.

My questions is has anyone had any success with there child in group

theparpy. My insurance denied our claim to pay for private speech

theparpy. Plus the school system will not have speech theparpy in the

summer time. I was also thinking of the Kaufman speech theparpy kit. But

I really don't know what kit to start him on.

has made much progress this past month I don't want him to fall

behind. With his speech theparpy and with me working with him at home

on putting him on the ProEFA it has all made such a big difference.

If anyone has any comments about how there group theparpy worked for

there children I would appreciate it.

Thanks again for everyone support.

Jeanne

[Guest guest]

Hello,

My son has started in the school system this past month. His teacher

does not know anything about apraxia. She said she really has not dealt with

to much with apraxia. I feel really at lost, my insurance has denied my claim

for private speech. I am going to try and fight them, but I really don't

think it will do any good. They say they only pay for speech therapy if it

was from an accident or a stroke.

I just don't know what to do. He doesn't have a good speech therapist in the

school system. I'm going to try and see if they could switch me to someone

who has more knowledge with apraxia. I was wondering if anyone had any

experience with the school system and trying to switch speech therapist. We

do try and send him to private speech therapist as much as we can. I feel

really helpless, I feel this will make him fall behind.

We do have some good news in our family. Our son who was our foster

child since he was 2 weeks old we were able to adopt him and the adoption has

just been finalized. He is now 15 months old and wonderful addition to our

family.

Thanks for listening and everyones help in the past.

Jeanne

[Guest guest]

Hi Jeanne,

Congratulations on the adoption of your foster child, . You must

be thrilled to have another son. The Mother's here on the list have the

biggest hearts of all, I am convinced.

Jeanne, you didn't say how old is but I have been in touch with

the Governor's office here in Ohio and they told me that the rules for

Neurological Speech Disorders, which include apraxia, are the same in every

state. THE SCHOOL MUST EITHER GIVE YOU SPEECH THE NUMBER OF TIMES NEEDED, AS

PRESCRIBED FROM YOUR DOCTOR OR PAY FOR OUTSIDE SPEECH FROM ANOTHER SOURCE.

We are fighting for this now also for my granddaughter, . We were told

that the IEP should have another meeting and try to get all the speech

needed. It isn't easy as you know but you as the parent knows what

needs and it is the schools job to educate him accordingly. Good luck.

Grammy Patty to

[Guest guest]

Jeanne,

Congratulations on your adoption! What wonderful news!

About your insurance company - the heck with them. Try to get a medical

access card for your son. It doesn't matter what your income is, they go by

your son's income, which of course, is probably nothing! My son has this

card, and I can get unlimited therapy for him for as long as I want. My

son's developmental pediatrician got me started with this card. I think you

can also go thru your local government office. Good luck!

>

> My son has started in the school system this past month. His

teacher

> does not know anything about apraxia. She said she really has not dealt

with

> to much with apraxia. I feel really at lost, my insurance has denied my

claim

> for private speech. I am going to try and fight them, but I really don't

> think it will do any good. They say they only pay for speech therapy if it

> was from an accident or a stroke.

>

> I just don't know what to do. He doesn't have a good speech therapist in

the

> school system. I'm going to try and see if they could switch me to someone

> who has more knowledge with apraxia. I was wondering if anyone had any

> experience with the school system and trying to switch speech therapist.

We

> do try and send him to private speech therapist as much as we can. I feel

> really helpless, I feel this will make him fall behind.

>

> We do have some good news in our family. Our son who was our

foster

> child since he was 2 weeks old we were able to adopt him and the adoption

has

> just been finalized. He is now 15 months old and wonderful addition to our

> family.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jeanne- My insurance company said the same thing- but after persisting a

little bit, they finally said that if my Ped. would write a letter

stating that it was a " brain " disorder and not a developemental delay,

they would cover it. He did, and they did. My Ped. is willing to write

anything I want him to write to help my son. Hope yours is just as good.

We also found a college in our area who has a speech program that costs

$300.00 per session (Sept.-Jan) two days a week for an hour each session.

Yes it's with a student, but someone is always supervising and my son

loved it.

>

> My son has started in the school system this past month.

> His teacher

> does not know anything about apraxia. She said she really has not

> dealt with

> to much with apraxia. I feel really at lost, my insurance has denied

> my claim

> for private speech. I am going to try and fight them, but I really

> don't

> think it will do any good. They say they only pay for speech therapy

> if it

> was from an accident or a stroke.

>

> I just don't know what to do. He doesn't have a good speech

> therapist in the

> school system. I'm going to try and see if they could switch me to

> someone

> who has more knowledge with apraxia. I was wondering if anyone had

> any

> experience with the school system and trying to switch speech

> therapist.

[Guest guest]

Does anyone know if Michigan has a medical access card program? We have the

same answers from our insurance company regarding our nonverbal four year

old. How nice. Please inform me! Tara

>About your insurance company - the heck with them. Try to get a medical

>access card for your son.

[Guest guest]

Hi Grammy patty,

Thanks for the advise and support. I am going to call the school and see what can be done. I also have been reading about the medical access card and I'm going to apply for one of those.

This group has been great for information. I wouldn't know where to turn if I haven't found this group.

Congratulations also on your new granddaughter. I hope she is doing well.

Jeanne mother to 3, and 15 month

[Guest guest]

HI ALL I AM NEW TO THIS SITE, I LIVE IN L.A. AND WAS WONDERING WHAT THIS

MEDICAL ACCESS CARD IS AND HOW I GET ONE. ALSO IS THERE ANYONE IN THIS AREA

THAT HAS A GROUP. MY SON JACOB IS 3YRS3MONTHS AND HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH

APRAXIA . MY NAME IS KATE. THANKS

[Guest guest]

Hi Kate,

I'm glad to see you made it to this group, there is a

wealth of information here and the most wonderful

people!! I have learned so much from this group, its

been a lifesaver! As for a group in L.A., I have just

started a group for Southern California and we have

our first meeting on June 2nd. Also, we meet online

every 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 9 pm. I

will put all the information at the bottom of this

email with directions to the meeting. It will be in

Temecula at 2 pm on June 2nd. I hope you will join

us!

Kari Belle

Founder: Southern California Apraxia Association

See us at:

http://www.SouthernCaliApraxia.homestead.com

Join us at:

http://www./groups/SouthernCaliApraxia

Directions to the meeting:

The address is 32025 Meadows Pkwy, Temecula, CA 92592

Riverside- Take 215 south to 15 south (at Murrietta).

Take Rancho California Road off-ramp going east.

about 3 miles to Meadows Pkwy. Make right on to

Meadows Pkwy.

Passed stop sign, make right into parking lot by pool.

Corona- Take 15 south to Temecula

Take Rancho California Road off-ramp going east.

about 3 miles to Meadows Pkwy. Make right on to

Meadows Pkwy.

Passed stop sign, make right into parking lot by pool.

San Diego- Take 15 north to Temecula

Take Rancho California Road off-ramp going east.

about 3 miles to Meadows Pkwy. Make right on to

Meadows Pkwy.

Passed stop sign, make right into parking lot by pool.

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Kate

My son was 3 in April, he too has been diagnosed with Apraxia, just in Jan.

This is all new to me. I was so excited to find this web site. How long has

your child been in speech therapy? We started Jan. 10th this year. He started

with only 4 words but now is up a little over 20. Sometimes putting 2 words

together. I too am wondering about this medical access card. We are having no

luck with our school system. Let me know about your son's progress.

Tammy

Re: [ ] school system

HI ALL I AM NEW TO THIS SITE, I LIVE IN L.A. AND WAS WONDERING WHAT THIS

MEDICAL ACCESS CARD IS AND HOW I GET ONE. ALSO IS THERE ANYONE IN THIS AREA

THAT HAS A GROUP. MY SON JACOB IS 3YRS3MONTHS AND HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH

APRAXIA . MY NAME IS KATE. THANKS

[Guest guest]

Get it in the IEP. They have to listen to the parent, as YOU are a member of

the IEP team.

Check out slaw.com

lannperrot1 <lannperrot1@...> wrote:

How do you avocate for speech intensive classrooms for apraxia Pre-K

children and 1 on 1 speech therapy. Thanks

[Guest guest]

Just went through that with Matt in November. He started the school

district's pre-school program. (He's 3). When the speech teacher

gave her recommendations for speech, which was 3 times a week, in a

small group, I just said no. I reminded the team that research shows

that kids with apraxia need the one on one pull out. I just kept

saying the word no, until she agreed to pull him out three times a

week by himself. Now, the time itself is not long, only 10 minutes

per time, but with a three year old, that's pretty good to work on

something that is so very hard. She's also taking him alone before

the group speech sessions to 'prepare' him. So, just say no until

you get something close to what you want. It's hard, but pretty

important!

Roni; Matt's Mom; 3 years, apraxia, gross motor delay

>

>

> How do you avocate for speech intensive classrooms for apraxia Pre-

K

> children and 1 on 1 speech therapy. Thanks