Re: Survey- How much?

[Guest guest]

Hi !

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! I am very thankful for the great

therapy Tanner has had over the years -and also thankful for

learning that there is such a thing as too much of a good thing -you

need to know your child.

In order for you to do an accurate survey -you would also want to

know at least the following for the child as well as amount of days:

age

diagnosis (all of them)

severity (of each)

amount of time already in therapy

type of therapies attempted

success level of any therapy attempted

child's willingness/behavior after a 30/45/60 min. session of therapy

They call it an IEP for a reason.

Tanner -no matter how severe was never in individual therapy for an

hour session five times a week -and that was never recommended for

him. At three Tanner was severe to profound oral and verbal

apraxic -with mild hypotonia through his truncal area -severe

hypotonia (dysarthria too? even though not diagnosed as such) in his

facial area -and sensory integration dysfunction mainly in touch.

Each child has different needs -and even if they need it -therapists

also need to work around a preschoolers normal short attention

span. You don't want to burn an apraxic child out at three so they

no longer want to go to therapy...the child may have a long road

ahead of speech therapy (especially those parents who want to wait

for the FDA to tell them it's OK to give their apraxic children fish

oil -Omega 3 with a small amount of Omega 6)

After 4 or 5 months of out of pocket expense from around 2.3 years

old to 2.8 years old -prior to diagnosis of apraxia, Tanner did not

respond to the private 30-45 min traditional speech therapy sessions

at a hospital that was near us - well, outside of being able to move

his mouth a bit more and say simple sounds like " ch " and " ooo " if we

sang this " silly sounds " song and acted out the part of a choo choo

train or a ghost -but even then Tanner couldn't put the " ch " or

the " ooo " together to say " choo " at 2.8 years old. His only word

was either " ma " or mainly just " mmmmm " . Then we were

told " apraxia/dyspraxia " and " it depends " when I asked " well he'll

still talk right? " and the rest of the oil therapy part became a

decision that I never knew that his " lellow breakthrough " would

bring other children like him " lellow breakthroughs " too!

http://www.drstordy.com/stories.html

Once diagnosed -Tanner at three was in private and preschool therapy

for speech 5 times a week for 30 min -and 2 -3 times a week for OT

for 30 min. At the time our district was offering 5 times a week

of 1/1 30 min ST and 2 times a week of group OT for 30 min -or we

had the chance to send Tanner to " out of district placement " where

he was only offered 3 times a week of 1/1 30 min ST and 2 times a

week of 1/1 or paired OT for 30 min and we chose that -which was the

Summit Speech School in New Providence NJ -an oral based school for

hearing impaired children. There are many children in this group

who also went there and thrived on this same type of therapy

schedule. Most of us had outside therapists as well at least once

or twice a week on top of that therapy schedule.

Tanner is still in ST and OT -no longer individual for either. He

is now at six in " paired " speech 3x a week and " paired " OT 2x a week and he

is pulled out of his mainstream class for both. He is currently not

in private therapy and he is doing great doing " normal kid therapy "

with bikes, pools, skateboards, etc. The one type of " therapy "

Tanner still gets today that he got three years ago is Omega 3/6 oil

therapy -or as Tanner and his brother call it " magic fish oil " .

=====

[Guest guest]

Connor (3, APRAXIA) receives group speech therapy once a week within

the Developmental Preschool. NO individual ST from the school

district. We pay for private ST with insurance help. Consider

yourself lucky if you are getting individual 4 x a week!!!!

(mom to a 5, Connor 3 APRAXIA)

>

> What does your child receive?

>

> Lynaugh

> www.lynaughboyz@a...

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

hi

where do you live? I am a speech therapist in NJ who believes therapy

should be five times weekly, but there is a large shortage of speech

therapists so most schools are only offering 60 minutes. My grandson who

is apraxic and on the autistic spectrum lives in Boston area, and with

much threatening, begging , etc. finally is getting therapy 4x 20

minutes and parents are paying for 1x weekly privately.

linda.gottlieb@...

lynaughBoyz@... wrote:

> When you get a minute can you all please reply --

>

> I am trying to get an idea how much speech your districts are

> approving for

> your apraxic child for speech. I thought I was doing great getting Lenny

> approved for 4x a week at 30 minutes each session. (We are currently

> trying

> to get them pay for his additional once a week of 1hr PROMPT. )

>

> I now learn from lots of the parents at his new therapy center that their

> children are getting 4x a week for 1 hour each plus some also get 2x a

> week

> at 30 minutes of group and/or individual in school.

>

> What does your child receive?

>

> Thanks!!

>

> Lynaugh

> www.lynaughboyz@...

[Guest guest]

Hello!

My son DJ is 5 years old and is in mainstream Kindergarten in our

local school district here in Phoenix, AZ.

He receives speech therapy 2xs a week through the school, 30 minutes

per session. Fortunately it is individual and he is NOT pulled out of

class. I insisted on this because I have him in half day Kindergarten

and felt that he didn't need to miss 1 minute of class, even if it

was " free-choice " play time. He also receives private speech therapy

2xs a week, 30 minutes per session, that we pay for out of our own

pocket. Out insurance (BCBS) would not cover this.

DJ was originally diagnosed with verbal dypraxia and presenting with

a " severe expressive and receptive language delay " . Through an

outstanding Early Intervention/Special Programs pre-school that

included group speech therapy, Private thereapy, and of course ProEFA

therapy, my son has now resolved the apraxia and is now according to

his private therapist working on the tail end of the language delay.

This past Tuesday she got out the PLS to test him because she saidd

she is running out of things to work on him with. The school

therapist also suspects he may well test out of services next year.

I have really mixed feelings about that statement she (and the

private therapist) made. On one hand I am absolutely thrilled that my

son has progressed so much, and indeed he has, but at the same time I

wonder when is it REALLY the right time to stop services? I'm not

going to say he sounds EXACTLY the same as a typically developing 5

yr old yet, but it is remarkedly close. In my mind I don't want to

stop therapy until he sounds just like his peers, but maybe that is

unrealistic? I just don't know...

Vivian In Phoenix

>

> What does your child receive?

>

> Thanks!!

>

> Lynaugh

> www.lynaughboyz@a...

[Guest guest]

Vivian,

Wow, what a great story! Your son has come so far!

I know that it is scary to end services; as an OT, I've worked with a few

children that improved so much they no longer needed services. But I have to say

it didn't happen all that often ( I only worked birth to 3, so for most it just

wasn't long enough). So if you have TWO therapists, saying the same thing

independently, then I think you're looking exactly at what you see--a boy who is

doing wonderfully and will no longer need services! If it was one therapist,

I'd say check into a 2nd opinion.

I noted they both said " soon " , so they may be hanging on for those last

improvements too. In his IEP, you can try to add that he be seen on a 1x a

month basis for 6 months or so if you are not sure that he is truly caught up.

And obviously speak to his teachers too.

[ ] Re: Survey- How much?

Hello!

My son DJ is 5 years old and is in mainstream Kindergarten in our

local school district here in Phoenix, AZ.

He receives speech therapy 2xs a week through the school, 30 minutes

per session. Fortunately it is individual and he is NOT pulled out of

class. I insisted on this because I have him in half day Kindergarten

and felt that he didn't need to miss 1 minute of class, even if it

was " free-choice " play time. He also receives private speech therapy

2xs a week, 30 minutes per session, that we pay for out of our own

pocket. Out insurance (BCBS) would not cover this.

DJ was originally diagnosed with verbal dypraxia and presenting with

a " severe expressive and receptive language delay " . Through an

outstanding Early Intervention/Special Programs pre-school that

included group speech therapy, Private thereapy, and of course ProEFA

therapy, my son has now resolved the apraxia and is now according to

his private therapist working on the tail end of the language delay.

This past Tuesday she got out the PLS to test him because she saidd

she is running out of things to work on him with. The school

therapist also suspects he may well test out of services next year.

I have really mixed feelings about that statement she (and the

private therapist) made. On one hand I am absolutely thrilled that my

son has progressed so much, and indeed he has, but at the same time I

wonder when is it REALLY the right time to stop services? I'm not

going to say he sounds EXACTLY the same as a typically developing 5

yr old yet, but it is remarkedly close. In my mind I don't want to

stop therapy until he sounds just like his peers, but maybe that is

unrealistic? I just don't know...

Vivian In Phoenix

>

> What does your child receive?

>

> Thanks!!

>

> Lynaugh

> www.lynaughboyz@a...

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

" most schools are only offering 60 minutes "

This sadly does appear to be true all over, and not just in the US.

I don't believe however that the therapist shortage has to do with

not as many SLP's as in the past-as much as it has to do with the

rise in communication impairments in our children, as well as more

awareness about the importance of early intervention together with

(in the US) the tougher federal education and special education laws to

protect our children and offer them a free and appropriate public

education (FAPE) and an " individual " educational program (IEP).

Even outside the schools- in private therapy, many " good "

therapists, as well as hospitals with speech and language

departments are booked and with a long waiting list. This is why

the EFA studies are encouraged by so many speech professionals and

why some have started them on their own. Shortage or no shortage

however, and no matter what the reason for the shortage -each child

has the right to his or her own IEP.

" most schools are only offering 60 minutes " -not legal.

If a school says that they can only offer 60 min a week of therapy -

ask them to put that in writing for you and explain why. Take the

child to outside evaluations with respected speech and occupational

therapists as well as neurodevelopmental MD's to see if they concur

with the 60 min a week finding. You also can copy out the following

guideline and bring with you to the private evaluations as well as

to the school the following -which is also used as a guide by ASHA

for school based SLPs

http://www.shop-in-service.com/therapy_matrix.htm )

If your child's speech delay is " severe to profound " then he should

be receiving over 60 min a week according to the matrix.

Additionally important to the amount of days of therapy is the

amount of time per session -as well as how it's delivered -one on

one -paired (with only one other child) or group (with one or more

children -possibly with the entire class). Most schools refer to

group therapy as " inclusive therapy " and will stress that the child

will be receiving therapy " all day " therefore " it's difficult to say

how much therapy time your child will receive because he'll be getting

therapy all day " You may also want to ask your private SLP to print

out the information from the American Speech Hearing Association

about inclusive therapy delivery to a child with severe delays of

speech. Inclusive therapy delivery is fine for a child with mild

delays -and possibly even moderate -however -it is found to be at

best " not yet determined " to worst " detrimental " to a child with a

severe delay. Please note that inclusive therapy is not the same as

an inclusive classroom. Your child can benefit from an inclusive

classroom setting with pull out therapy. If your child is not

severe -than paired or in class therapy may be appropriate.

Between school and private I did have Tanner in speech therapy 5 to

6 days a week, and occupational therapy sessions 2 to 3 days a week

when he was three -but not for an hour session each day.

I was told and found that breaking down the therapy sessions to

expand over a few day is more beneficial for the child (for example

2 half hour sessions or 3 20 min sessions will be more beneficial

for a child with a motor planning problem like apraxia - than one 60

min session) Tanner's school therapy was Monday to Friday -and when

Tanner was 3 I took him to one private session during the week and

one on Saturday -and one private OT session a week too -so twice a

week he had an hour of therapy split up through the day.

According to any private or school SLP that evaluates Tanner today -

he's " therapied up " to the point he now knows how to correct himself

and how to blend in. He's actually developed strategies on his own

and instead of frustrating when he's not understood (rare) he'll change the

way he asks a question until he's understood.

Tanner's speech problem today is more of a prolonging of some words,

which is a form of " dysluency " (or better known as stuttering) He

can say everything -but he takes a bit longer at times. Like other

parents here that are happy that their children are mainstreamed

today and doing so well after such a rough beginning -I just want to

help him tweak his speech to 100% to be the same as everyone else all the

time if that is possible.

Tanner's one therapist Ortega CCC/SLP used believed that

some therapies meant for one condition could at times help in

another.

I'm interested in looking into the SpeechEasy which is for

stuttering to see if it can help Tanner, and the many others like

him! http://www.ecu.edu/csd Anyone with an apraxic child ever try

SpeechEasy or anything like it?

=====

[Guest guest]

Thanks !

I am definately going to keep the 1xs a month idea in mind when the

time comes for us to re-evaluate and re-do the IEP for next year! Man

that's such a great idea, I never thought of something like that.

When his private SLP and I spoke last week she said that since we are

paying privately for his therapy we can technically keep going for as

long as we (parents) feel the need for it and she can always " find "

more language drills, critical thinking games, etc for him to do.

Perhaps when the time comes, we may cut down on the sessions with her

as well. We shall see!

I contacted over at the Talking Page and got the info to get my

son on there. I wish I would've done it sooner so others could hear

the progression but oh well, better late than never I suppose!

Hopefully I can get my rear in gear and get him the recording soon!

Happy Holidays everyone!

Vivian in Phoenix

--- In @y..., " karen bronstein " <kbronstein@n...>

wrote:

> Vivian,

>

> Wow, what a great story! Your son has come so far!

>

> I know that it is scary to end services; as an OT, I've worked

with a few children that improved so much they no longer needed

services. But I have to say it didn't happen all that often ( I only

worked birth to 3, so for most it just wasn't long enough). So if

you have TWO therapists, saying the same thing independently, then I

think you're looking exactly at what you see--a boy who is doing

wonderfully and will no longer need services! If it was one

therapist, I'd say check into a 2nd opinion.

>

> I noted they both said " soon " , so they may be hanging on for those

last improvements too. In his IEP, you can try to add that he be

seen on a 1x a month basis for 6 months or so if you are not sure

that he is truly caught up. And obviously speak to his teachers too.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi , sorry for the late response but I've been sick and am just

now catching up with email:

My daughter Kara will be 4 in January and started therapy this past

September. I thought I was doing well because our school district

gave us 3x a week for 30 minutes each session. My daughter also gets

1 hour a week of Prompt therapy--but I haven't asked for the school

district to pay for it...yet. I am curious to know how your survey

goes and how successful you are in getting the school district to pay

for the private therapist.

Thanks,

Janice

..

[Guest guest]

Hi,

has mild apraxia and mild DSI, plus some social issues.

At 22 months he was in individual in-home for 45 minutes 2X/week

at age 3 he crossed over to the school district where he received 30

minutes individual 1X/week and 30 minutes group (Group size 2

children) 1X/week

this year he qualified for the " at risk " preschool program which is

2 1/2 hours 4X/week and at preschool he receives 2X group sessions

(group size 3 children)outside the class room and one where the SLP

comes into the class and works at the " talking table " is

invited over plus any other children who want to come. The SLP,

Mrs. normally makes it so much fun that the children who don't

need speech still want to join in the fun. Mrs. works at

the " talking Table " inside the class room twice a week. This gives

the children more time with her and a chance for the Preschool

teachers (one teacher/2 Assistant teachers) to see how the SLP is

working with the children, so it can be re-enforced in side the

class room. The Preschool class has 4 special needs children and 10

at risk children. The child/teacher ratio is 5:1

God Bless,

Heidi - mom to 6, 4 (apraxia,SDI) 8 months (VUR,

Torticollis/Plagiocephaly)

> When you get a minute can you all please reply --

>

> I am trying to get an idea how much speech your districts are

approving for

> your apraxic child for speech. I thought I was doing great

getting Lenny

> approved for 4x a week at 30 minutes each session. (We are

currently trying

> to get them pay for his additional once a week of 1hr PROMPT. )

>

> I now learn from lots of the parents at his new therapy center

that their

> children are getting 4x a week for 1 hour each plus some also get

2x a week

> at 30 minutes of group and/or individual in school.

>

> What does your child receive?

>

> Thanks!!

>

> Lynaugh

> www.lynaughboyz@a...

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Janice,

My son Dylan is 3.8. He is getting 3 x week (30 min session) in school plus 1 x

week (30 min)

prompt therapy which I pay privately as well. It seems most of the spec. ed

preschools do not

have prompt trained therapist. The school Dylan goes to is a special school for

language impaired

children. I have talked to the school about prompt, but they keep saying prompt

is not the only

method of treating apraxia, etc. They don't even have plan to send their SLP

for prompt training

at all. I was disappointed.

Anyway, since Kara is getting 1 hour a week of prompt, can you tell me if it's

really helpful? Is

it better than the therapies she has in school? Dylan just started the prompt 4

weeks ago, so I'm

not sure of the result yet. Besides, 1 x week is really not enough to make a

noticable

improvement. I'm thinking increasing it to 2 x week, but would like to know

how you feel about

the prompt therapy with Kara. Tks.

Agnes

--- janicermiller <janicermiller@...> wrote:

> Hi , sorry for the late response but I've been sick and am just

> now catching up with email:

>

> My daughter Kara will be 4 in January and started therapy this past

> September. I thought I was doing well because our school district

> gave us 3x a week for 30 minutes each session. My daughter also gets

> 1 hour a week of Prompt therapy--but I haven't asked for the school

> district to pay for it...yet. I am curious to know how your survey

> goes and how successful you are in getting the school district to pay

> for the private therapist.

>

> Thanks,

>

> Janice