Guest guest Posted October 27, 2000 Report Share Posted October 27, 2000 As someone pointed out, these evaluations can get very expensive. Lizzie's most thorough and comprehensive eval, in my opinion, came from none other than the DeKalb Co. School System, through Coralwood, the DeKalb special ed preschool. In addition to parent questionaires and their own observations (which is what Lizzie received thru Emory and two different neurologists), Coralwood administered a free vision and hearing test, plus scads of standardized testing. But nothing's perfect: it took us 5 painful months and an attorney to get Lizzie into their preschool program, which turned out to be adequate but nothing more. Lizzie also had an early eval. with Dr. June Kaufmann, an excellent psychologist in DeKalb, for around $250.00. Dr. Kaufman was very cautious and systematic in her approach, saying that Lizzie met the criteria for autism in some areas but not in others. She also correctly pointed out that a child like Lizzie needs time to warm up, and had us come back for a 2nd visit. Dr. Kaufman is good! More on evals: This summer, after Coralwood effectively ditched Lizzie for the summer and my own attorney proved too busy to represent me, I signed her up for some private speech therapy. Naturally, they wanted to do their own eval, another $300, but this time I balked. " To date, Lizzie has had an awful lot in the way of evaluations, " I told them, " but very little in the way of help. " Taking pity on me, they agreed to waive the $300 and gave her some really good speech therapy for part of the summer. Lizzie is now in the Walden School and really flourishing. Marty, mom to Lizzie, 4, autism Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2000 Report Share Posted October 27, 2000 I agree..Coralwood did a great evaluation on my son & I am also fortunate to have him well placed too. Which pre-school program was she in? Re: Evaluations > As someone pointed out, these evaluations can get very expensive. Lizzie's > most thorough and comprehensive eval, in my opinion, came from none other > than the DeKalb Co. School System, through Coralwood, the DeKalb special ed > preschool. In addition to parent questionaires and their own observations > (which is what Lizzie received thru Emory and two different neurologists), > Coralwood administered a free vision and hearing test, plus scads of > standardized testing. But nothing's perfect: it took us 5 painful months > and an attorney to get Lizzie into their preschool program, which turned > out to be adequate but nothing more. > > Lizzie also had an early eval. with Dr. June Kaufmann, an excellent > psychologist in DeKalb, for around $250.00. Dr. Kaufman was very cautious > and systematic in her approach, saying that Lizzie met the criteria for > autism in some areas but not in others. She also correctly pointed out that > a child like Lizzie needs time to warm up, and had us come back for a 2nd > visit. Dr. Kaufman is good! > > More on evals: This summer, after Coralwood effectively ditched Lizzie for > the summer and my own attorney proved too busy to represent me, I signed > her up for some private speech therapy. Naturally, they wanted to do their > own eval, another $300, but this time I balked. " To date, Lizzie has had an > awful lot in the way of evaluations, " I told them, " but very little in the > way of help. " Taking pity on me, they agreed to waive the $300 and gave her > some really good speech therapy for part of the summer. > > Lizzie is now in the Walden School and really flourishing. > > Marty, mom to Lizzie, 4, autism > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2000 Report Share Posted October 27, 2000 Annette, Hi. I had your same " impression " with Walden but liked the approach. Just for info, they (EMORY) are building a new facility (state of the art) next year. I might " relook " at the school once it is built. Who knows that is another year away. --- limeylass wrote: > Its interesting to hear different points of view...I > am trying to get Ivan > into the Coralwood program & have heard excellent > results from other > parents. But its always good to hear a conflicting > report. I went to Walden > & was very disappointed. I found it very very > cramped & the teachers didnt > appear to be much fun with the children. ( I > observed each class room for a > few minutes so maybe I was just unlucky ) I do like > the concepts there of > incidental teaching though. & obviously you are > happy there so maybe I > should rethink it. But its also outrageously > expensive!! Ivan's current > placement at Hawthorne Elementary is fine for this > year as he's only 3 but > next year he needs to be in an inclusive program. So > I'm still not sure > where he will go...thanks for your > info...Annette----- Original > Message ----- > > To: <autism-georgiaegroups> > Sent: Friday, October 27, 2000 3:40 PM > Subject: Re: Evaluations > > > > Lizzie was in the inclusion preschool program at > Coralwood itself this > > spring. She did make some good gains there, and I > believe it helped to > > prepare her for the > still-fun-but-much-more-demanding regimen at Walden. > By > > the weekend the poor thing's pooped; just wants to > hang out with us, which > > is just as well 'cause we just want to hang out > with her! :-) > > Marty > > > > > > At 01:38 PM 10/27/00 -0400, you wrote: > > >I agree..Coralwood did a great evaluation on my > son & I am also fortunate > to > > >have him well placed too. Which pre-school > program was she in? > > > > > > Re: Evaluations > > > > > > > > >> As someone pointed out, these evaluations can > get very expensive. > Lizzie's > > >> most thorough and comprehensive eval, in my > opinion, came from none > other > > >> than the DeKalb Co. School System, through > Coralwood, the DeKalb > special > > >ed > > >> preschool. In addition to parent questionaires > and their own > observations > > >> (which is what Lizzie received thru Emory and > two different > neurologists), > > >> Coralwood administered a free vision and > hearing test, plus scads of > > >> standardized testing. But nothing's perfect: it > took us 5 painful > months > > >> and an attorney to get Lizzie into their > preschool program, which > turned > > >> out to be adequate but nothing more. > > >> > > >> Lizzie also had an early eval. with Dr. June > Kaufmann, an excellent > > >> psychologist in DeKalb, for around $250.00. Dr. > Kaufman was very > cautious > > >> and systematic in her approach, saying that > Lizzie met the criteria for > > >> autism in some areas but not in others. She > also correctly pointed out > > >that > > >> a child like Lizzie needs time to warm up, and > had us come back for a > 2nd > > >> visit. Dr. Kaufman is good! > > >> > > >> More on evals: This summer, after Coralwood > effectively ditched Lizzie > for > > >> the summer and my own attorney proved too busy > to represent me, I > signed > > >> her up for some private speech therapy. > Naturally, they wanted to do > their > > >> own eval, another $300, but this time I balked. > " To date, Lizzie has > had > > >an > > >> awful lot in the way of evaluations, " I told > them, " but very little in > the > > >> way of help. " Taking pity on me, they agreed to > waive the $300 and gave > > >her > > >> some really good speech therapy for part of the > summer. > > >> > > >> Lizzie is now in the Walden School and really > flourishing. > > >> > > >> Marty, mom to Lizzie, 4, autism > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2000 Report Share Posted October 27, 2000 That is okay. Thanks for trying though. --- limeylass wrote: > Yes I had heard that too...likewise I may look at it > again then > ....Caroline. I hadnt forgotten about trying to help > you with ABA > therapists...I just have not found one willing to > drive out to Conyers ( No > I know its not that far!! ) The problem is that > there are too few therapists > & not enough families so they dont need to drive > anywhere...they have an > abundance of work here in Atlanta. ----- Original > Message ----- > > To: <autism-georgiaegroups> > Sent: Friday, October 27, 2000 2:38 PM > Subject: Re: Evaluations > > > > Annette, Hi. I had your same " impression " with > Walden > > but liked the approach. Just for info, they > (EMORY) > > are building a new facility (state of the art) > next > > year. I might " relook " at the school once it is > built. > > Who knows that is another year away. > > --- limeylass wrote: > > > Its interesting to hear different points of > view...I > > > am trying to get Ivan > > > into the Coralwood program & have heard > excellent > > > results from other > > > parents. But its always good to hear a > conflicting > > > report. I went to Walden > > > & was very disappointed. I found it very very > > > cramped & the teachers didnt > > > appear to be much fun with the children. ( I > > > observed each class room for a > > > few minutes so maybe I was just unlucky ) I do > like > > > the concepts there of > > > incidental teaching though. & obviously you are > > > happy there so maybe I > > > should rethink it. But its also outrageously > > > expensive!! Ivan's current > > > placement at Hawthorne Elementary is fine for > this > > > year as he's only 3 but > > > next year he needs to be in an inclusive > program. So > > > I'm still not sure > > > where he will go...thanks for your > > > info...Annette----- Original > > > Message ----- > > > > > > To: <autism-georgiaegroups> > > > Sent: Friday, October 27, 2000 3:40 PM > > > Subject: Re: Evaluations > > > > > > > > > > Lizzie was in the inclusion preschool program > at > > > Coralwood itself this > > > > spring. She did make some good gains there, > and I > > > believe it helped to > > > > prepare her for the > > > still-fun-but-much-more-demanding regimen at > Walden. > > > By > > > > the weekend the poor thing's pooped; just > wants to > > > hang out with us, which > > > > is just as well 'cause we just want to hang > out > > > with her! :-) > > > > Marty > > > > > > > > > > > > At 01:38 PM 10/27/00 -0400, you wrote: > > > > >I agree..Coralwood did a great evaluation on > my > > > son & I am also fortunate > > > to > > > > >have him well placed too. Which pre-school > > > program was she in? > > > > > > > > > > Re: Evaluations > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> As someone pointed out, these evaluations > can > > > get very expensive. > > > Lizzie's > > > > >> most thorough and comprehensive eval, in my > > > opinion, came from none > > > other > > > > >> than the DeKalb Co. School System, through > > > Coralwood, the DeKalb > > > special > > > > >ed > > > > >> preschool. In addition to parent > questionaires > > > and their own > > > observations > > > > >> (which is what Lizzie received thru Emory > and > > > two different > > > neurologists), > > > > >> Coralwood administered a free vision and > > > hearing test, plus scads of > > > > >> standardized testing. But nothing's > perfect: it > > > took us 5 painful > > > months > > > > >> and an attorney to get Lizzie into their > > > preschool program, which > > > turned > > > > >> out to be adequate but nothing more. > > > > >> > > > > >> Lizzie also had an early eval. with Dr. > June > > > Kaufmann, an excellent > > > > >> psychologist in DeKalb, for around $250.00. > Dr. > > > Kaufman was very > > > cautious > > > > >> and systematic in her approach, saying that > > > Lizzie met the criteria for > > > > >> autism in some areas but not in others. She > > > also correctly pointed out > > > > >that > > > > >> a child like Lizzie needs time to warm up, > and > > > had us come back for a > > > 2nd > > > > >> visit. Dr. Kaufman is good! > > > > >> > > > > >> More on evals: This summer, after Coralwood > > > effectively ditched Lizzie > > > for > > > > >> the summer and my own attorney proved too > busy > > > to represent me, I > > > signed > > > > >> her up for some private speech therapy. > > > Naturally, they wanted to do > > > their > > > > >> own eval, another $300, but this time I > balked. > > > " To date, Lizzie has > > > had > > > > >an > > > > >> awful lot in the way of evaluations, " I > told > > > them, " but very little in > > > the > > > > >> way of help. " Taking pity on me, they > agreed to > > > waive the $300 and gave > > > > >her > > > > >> some really good speech therapy for part of > the > > > summer. > > > > >> > > > > >> Lizzie is now in the Walden School and > really > > > flourishing. > > > > >> > > > > >> Marty, mom to Lizzie, 4, autism > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2000 Report Share Posted October 27, 2000 Its interesting to hear different points of view...I am trying to get Ivan into the Coralwood program & have heard excellent results from other parents. But its always good to hear a conflicting report. I went to Walden & was very disappointed. I found it very very cramped & the teachers didnt appear to be much fun with the children. ( I observed each class room for a few minutes so maybe I was just unlucky ) I do like the concepts there of incidental teaching though. & obviously you are happy there so maybe I should rethink it. But its also outrageously expensive!! Ivan's current placement at Hawthorne Elementary is fine for this year as he's only 3 but next year he needs to be in an inclusive program. So I'm still not sure where he will go...thanks for your info...Annette----- Original Message ----- To: <autism-georgiaegroups> Sent: Friday, October 27, 2000 3:40 PM Subject: Re: Evaluations > Lizzie was in the inclusion preschool program at Coralwood itself this > spring. She did make some good gains there, and I believe it helped to > prepare her for the still-fun-but-much-more-demanding regimen at Walden. By > the weekend the poor thing's pooped; just wants to hang out with us, which > is just as well 'cause we just want to hang out with her! :-) > Marty > > > At 01:38 PM 10/27/00 -0400, you wrote: > >I agree..Coralwood did a great evaluation on my son & I am also fortunate to > >have him well placed too. Which pre-school program was she in? > > > > Re: Evaluations > > > > > >> As someone pointed out, these evaluations can get very expensive. Lizzie's > >> most thorough and comprehensive eval, in my opinion, came from none other > >> than the DeKalb Co. School System, through Coralwood, the DeKalb special > >ed > >> preschool. In addition to parent questionaires and their own observations > >> (which is what Lizzie received thru Emory and two different neurologists), > >> Coralwood administered a free vision and hearing test, plus scads of > >> standardized testing. But nothing's perfect: it took us 5 painful months > >> and an attorney to get Lizzie into their preschool program, which turned > >> out to be adequate but nothing more. > >> > >> Lizzie also had an early eval. with Dr. June Kaufmann, an excellent > >> psychologist in DeKalb, for around $250.00. Dr. Kaufman was very cautious > >> and systematic in her approach, saying that Lizzie met the criteria for > >> autism in some areas but not in others. She also correctly pointed out > >that > >> a child like Lizzie needs time to warm up, and had us come back for a 2nd > >> visit. Dr. Kaufman is good! > >> > >> More on evals: This summer, after Coralwood effectively ditched Lizzie for > >> the summer and my own attorney proved too busy to represent me, I signed > >> her up for some private speech therapy. Naturally, they wanted to do their > >> own eval, another $300, but this time I balked. " To date, Lizzie has had > >an > >> awful lot in the way of evaluations, " I told them, " but very little in the > >> way of help. " Taking pity on me, they agreed to waive the $300 and gave > >her > >> some really good speech therapy for part of the summer. > >> > >> Lizzie is now in the Walden School and really flourishing. > >> > >> Marty, mom to Lizzie, 4, autism > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2000 Report Share Posted October 27, 2000 Lizzie was in the inclusion preschool program at Coralwood itself this spring. She did make some good gains there, and I believe it helped to prepare her for the still-fun-but-much-more-demanding regimen at Walden. By the weekend the poor thing's pooped; just wants to hang out with us, which is just as well 'cause we just want to hang out with her! :-) Marty At 01:38 PM 10/27/00 -0400, you wrote: >I agree..Coralwood did a great evaluation on my son & I am also fortunate to >have him well placed too. Which pre-school program was she in? > > Re: Evaluations > > >> As someone pointed out, these evaluations can get very expensive. Lizzie's >> most thorough and comprehensive eval, in my opinion, came from none other >> than the DeKalb Co. School System, through Coralwood, the DeKalb special >ed >> preschool. In addition to parent questionaires and their own observations >> (which is what Lizzie received thru Emory and two different neurologists), >> Coralwood administered a free vision and hearing test, plus scads of >> standardized testing. But nothing's perfect: it took us 5 painful months >> and an attorney to get Lizzie into their preschool program, which turned >> out to be adequate but nothing more. >> >> Lizzie also had an early eval. with Dr. June Kaufmann, an excellent >> psychologist in DeKalb, for around $250.00. Dr. Kaufman was very cautious >> and systematic in her approach, saying that Lizzie met the criteria for >> autism in some areas but not in others. She also correctly pointed out >that >> a child like Lizzie needs time to warm up, and had us come back for a 2nd >> visit. Dr. Kaufman is good! >> >> More on evals: This summer, after Coralwood effectively ditched Lizzie for >> the summer and my own attorney proved too busy to represent me, I signed >> her up for some private speech therapy. Naturally, they wanted to do their >> own eval, another $300, but this time I balked. " To date, Lizzie has had >an >> awful lot in the way of evaluations, " I told them, " but very little in the >> way of help. " Taking pity on me, they agreed to waive the $300 and gave >her >> some really good speech therapy for part of the summer. >> >> Lizzie is now in the Walden School and really flourishing. >> >> Marty, mom to Lizzie, 4, autism >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2000 Report Share Posted October 27, 2000 Yes I had heard that too...likewise I may look at it again then .....Caroline. I hadnt forgotten about trying to help you with ABA therapists...I just have not found one willing to drive out to Conyers ( No I know its not that far!! ) The problem is that there are too few therapists & not enough families so they dont need to drive anywhere...they have an abundance of work here in Atlanta. Re: Evaluations > > > > > > > > > > > >> As someone pointed out, these evaluations can > > get very expensive. > > Lizzie's > > > >> most thorough and comprehensive eval, in my > > opinion, came from none > > other > > > >> than the DeKalb Co. School System, through > > Coralwood, the DeKalb > > special > > > >ed > > > >> preschool. In addition to parent questionaires > > and their own > > observations > > > >> (which is what Lizzie received thru Emory and > > two different > > neurologists), > > > >> Coralwood administered a free vision and > > hearing test, plus scads of > > > >> standardized testing. But nothing's perfect: it > > took us 5 painful > > months > > > >> and an attorney to get Lizzie into their > > preschool program, which > > turned > > > >> out to be adequate but nothing more. > > > >> > > > >> Lizzie also had an early eval. with Dr. June > > Kaufmann, an excellent > > > >> psychologist in DeKalb, for around $250.00. Dr. > > Kaufman was very > > cautious > > > >> and systematic in her approach, saying that > > Lizzie met the criteria for > > > >> autism in some areas but not in others. She > > also correctly pointed out > > > >that > > > >> a child like Lizzie needs time to warm up, and > > had us come back for a > > 2nd > > > >> visit. Dr. Kaufman is good! > > > >> > > > >> More on evals: This summer, after Coralwood > > effectively ditched Lizzie > > for > > > >> the summer and my own attorney proved too busy > > to represent me, I > > signed > > > >> her up for some private speech therapy. > > Naturally, they wanted to do > > their > > > >> own eval, another $300, but this time I balked. > > " To date, Lizzie has > > had > > > >an > > > >> awful lot in the way of evaluations, " I told > > them, " but very little in > > the > > > >> way of help. " Taking pity on me, they agreed to > > waive the $300 and gave > > > >her > > > >> some really good speech therapy for part of the > > summer. > > > >> > > > >> Lizzie is now in the Walden School and really > > flourishing. > > > >> > > > >> Marty, mom to Lizzie, 4, autism > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2000 Report Share Posted October 27, 2000 Yes, that's so interesting, how we can have such different reactions to the same sights and sounds. Yes, Walden is horribly cramped and dreadfully expensive. But the teachers are highly trained specifically to autism, and they are enthusiastic -- it's a fun, often joyful place that Lizzie responds to. But did I ever agonize over it! I didn't know for *sure* if Walden was the right environment for my child until the day she started. Marty t 03:22 PM 10/27/00 -0400, you wrote: >Its interesting to hear different points of view...I am trying to get Ivan >into the Coralwood program & have heard excellent results from other >parents. But its always good to hear a conflicting report. I went to Walden > & was very disappointed. I found it very very cramped & the teachers didnt >appear to be much fun with the children. ( I observed each class room for a >few minutes so maybe I was just unlucky ) I do like the concepts there of >incidental teaching though. & obviously you are happy there so maybe I >should rethink it. But its also outrageously expensive!! Ivan's current >placement at Hawthorne Elementary is fine for this year as he's only 3 but >next year he needs to be in an inclusive program. So I'm still not sure >where he will go...thanks for your info...Annette----- Original >Message ----- > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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