Re: Speech Therapy and CI candidacy & some other questions

[Guest guest]

> ...I think part of their problem is that Tessa will

> be going to an IEP in September b/c she is going to a preschool

for

> HI/Language delayed children. So, I think they just don't want to

give us

> the services for 3 months...however, 3 months is a long time in

terms of a

> 21 mo old. I'm very irritated with them at times. They just don't

seem to

> have the time, sometimes. But, that's another story.

Sara,

It really sounds like you have the fighting spirit, so I know in the

end Tessa will be OK!! You will persevere in all this!

I am thinking back to 's early intervention days in California

(we live in Massachusetts now) and I seem to remember that the

services were always cut in the summer because the teacher of the

deaf and speech and language pathologist worked on a school year

calendar. As you say, this makes no sense when you are talking

about a toddler/preschooler learning speech and language.

Have you heard of the Clinic? They are in Los Angeles,

but do correspondence courses with parents all over the world.

Their focus is oral. They will send you videotapes and lesson plans

and assign a teacher to you with whom you can communicate via

letters or email. It can be very helpful! They also have a summer

program at the clinic that a lot of people travel to. Visit

http://www.jtc.org for more info. (P.S. Kay -- I found out about

them from the Listen-Up web site 6 years ago! Thanks!)

With that said, I have to say that I found it hard to keep up with

the JTC correspondence because, at the time, we were also learning

sign language, and it felt like we were doing too much at once.

(Now, post implant and lots of hard work, is totally oral.)

BUT, it can be very useful. Also, I am NOT suggesting it as a cop-

out to fighting with your EI team. It is a useful supplement, and

can also help clarify what Tessa deserves in terms of services from

your school district.

Good luck!

Lydia

Mom of , almost 7 1/2, HAs at age 1, cochlear implant at age 4

[Guest guest]

> ...I think part of their problem is that Tessa will

> be going to an IEP in September b/c she is going to a preschool

for

> HI/Language delayed children. So, I think they just don't want to

give us

> the services for 3 months...however, 3 months is a long time in

terms of a

> 21 mo old. I'm very irritated with them at times. They just don't

seem to

> have the time, sometimes. But, that's another story.

Sara,

It really sounds like you have the fighting spirit, so I know in the

end Tessa will be OK!! You will persevere in all this!

I am thinking back to 's early intervention days in California

(we live in Massachusetts now) and I seem to remember that the

services were always cut in the summer because the teacher of the

deaf and speech and language pathologist worked on a school year

calendar. As you say, this makes no sense when you are talking

about a toddler/preschooler learning speech and language.

Have you heard of the Clinic? They are in Los Angeles,

but do correspondence courses with parents all over the world.

Their focus is oral. They will send you videotapes and lesson plans

and assign a teacher to you with whom you can communicate via

letters or email. It can be very helpful! They also have a summer

program at the clinic that a lot of people travel to. Visit

http://www.jtc.org for more info. (P.S. Kay -- I found out about

them from the Listen-Up web site 6 years ago! Thanks!)

With that said, I have to say that I found it hard to keep up with

the JTC correspondence because, at the time, we were also learning

sign language, and it felt like we were doing too much at once.

(Now, post implant and lots of hard work, is totally oral.)

BUT, it can be very useful. Also, I am NOT suggesting it as a cop-

out to fighting with your EI team. It is a useful supplement, and

can also help clarify what Tessa deserves in terms of services from

your school district.

Good luck!

Lydia

Mom of , almost 7 1/2, HAs at age 1, cochlear implant at age 4

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/26/2004 12:17:54 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

snobordnwifey@... writes:

Little stinkers! It irks me, but what can I do?

_________________________-

Sara,

Appeal ... get your ENT and audi to write letters on your behalf satang the

the aides are a necessity. Write your own letter stating the the insurance

company flat out denied coverage for the adies -- include as much information as

you can: dates, the name of the person you spoke to, whatever you can remember.

Your point is that they denied covereage, but the aides were needed so you

chose to purchase them and not wait for the appeal process.

The fact that they have indicated that a pre-authorization was needed might

work to your advantage becuase it implies taht they would have covered them but

you didn't follow proceedure. And since no one ever told you about the

procedure (even though you asked!)you could not possilby have followed it!

We appealed the denial of coverage for Ian's aies. We didn't win. But you

never know until you try, so don't give up just yet. A couple letters isn't so

hard to put together and you just might get some $$$ out of it!

Best -- jill

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/26/2004 12:17:54 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

snobordnwifey@... writes:

Little stinkers! It irks me, but what can I do?

_________________________-

Sara,

Appeal ... get your ENT and audi to write letters on your behalf satang the

the aides are a necessity. Write your own letter stating the the insurance

company flat out denied coverage for the adies -- include as much information as

you can: dates, the name of the person you spoke to, whatever you can remember.

Your point is that they denied covereage, but the aides were needed so you

chose to purchase them and not wait for the appeal process.

The fact that they have indicated that a pre-authorization was needed might

work to your advantage becuase it implies taht they would have covered them but

you didn't follow proceedure. And since no one ever told you about the

procedure (even though you asked!)you could not possilby have followed it!

We appealed the denial of coverage for Ian's aies. We didn't win. But you

never know until you try, so don't give up just yet. A couple letters isn't so

hard to put together and you just might get some $$$ out of it!

Best -- jill

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/26/2004 12:17:54 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

snobordnwifey@... writes:

Little stinkers! It irks me, but what can I do?

_________________________-

Sara,

Appeal ... get your ENT and audi to write letters on your behalf satang the

the aides are a necessity. Write your own letter stating the the insurance

company flat out denied coverage for the adies -- include as much information as

you can: dates, the name of the person you spoke to, whatever you can remember.

Your point is that they denied covereage, but the aides were needed so you

chose to purchase them and not wait for the appeal process.

The fact that they have indicated that a pre-authorization was needed might

work to your advantage becuase it implies taht they would have covered them but

you didn't follow proceedure. And since no one ever told you about the

procedure (even though you asked!)you could not possilby have followed it!

We appealed the denial of coverage for Ian's aies. We didn't win. But you

never know until you try, so don't give up just yet. A couple letters isn't so

hard to put together and you just might get some $$$ out of it!

Best -- jill

[Guest guest]

>

> Finally, does anyone else have problems with hypotonia (low muscle

tone) and

> sensory issues. Tessa rolls on the floor a lot and bounces on the

couch a

> lot. She also has these periods where she will take our hands and

squeeze

> them against her cheeks and hold them there. Her special ed

teacher thinks

> that she has sensory issues and suggested that we put her on

a " sensory

> diet " meaning that we help her get that sensory stimulation she

needs.

> Anyone else have problems with this?

Hi Sara,

Our dd has a hypotonia issue and a sensory issue. She is 4 and has

had her Med El implant for 17 months and is doing great.

She has therapy for her si and hypotonia. And in the last 5 months

we have seen great improvement. She has met lots of the goals we

set in January re. these issues.

We are seeing lots of progess with her speech and language. We

have lots of work still to do, but it is awesome to see real

progress.

She has a profound loss and hearing aids were so hopeless. It is

very very hard to be a mom and feel that you are not communicating

with your child. It can be a dark place.

I would certain jump over what ever obsticles and get her a cochlear

implant ASAP. It makes such a difference to get a child implanted

as early as possible. Every month can make a difference.

A cochlear implant has been a miracle for our daughter.

She can tell me she hears the dog outside barking, the a/c just came

on, the thunder is scary and she hates the fan in the bathroom. She

is hearing so well with her ci. We did the surgery as soon as we

could - wish it had been sooner, but you can't change history you

just improve this moment.

Every family has different obsticles and just has to do their best.

I can relate to moms wishing their child was speaking as well as

others around us- hearing or deaf.

It is hard when speech comes easily for some and our child can't say

very much. My sisters daughters are 5 and 6 and they are now

bilingual, and she fusses over their reading skills! I think,, if

only she knew..

But time, therapy, a good ci, and prayer make such a difference.

Our daughter has started asking and answering questions.

Yesterday was a great " first " ! I aksed her " Who wants to go to

Mcs? And she yelled " I do! " Previous she would have just

got excited and kissed me and said yes.

Some of you moms can relate!

Hang in there and Hug 'em!

R.

[Guest guest]

>

> Finally, does anyone else have problems with hypotonia (low muscle

tone) and

> sensory issues. Tessa rolls on the floor a lot and bounces on the

couch a

> lot. She also has these periods where she will take our hands and

squeeze

> them against her cheeks and hold them there. Her special ed

teacher thinks

> that she has sensory issues and suggested that we put her on

a " sensory

> diet " meaning that we help her get that sensory stimulation she

needs.

> Anyone else have problems with this?

Hi Sara,

Our dd has a hypotonia issue and a sensory issue. She is 4 and has

had her Med El implant for 17 months and is doing great.

She has therapy for her si and hypotonia. And in the last 5 months

we have seen great improvement. She has met lots of the goals we

set in January re. these issues.

We are seeing lots of progess with her speech and language. We

have lots of work still to do, but it is awesome to see real

progress.

She has a profound loss and hearing aids were so hopeless. It is

very very hard to be a mom and feel that you are not communicating

with your child. It can be a dark place.

I would certain jump over what ever obsticles and get her a cochlear

implant ASAP. It makes such a difference to get a child implanted

as early as possible. Every month can make a difference.

A cochlear implant has been a miracle for our daughter.

She can tell me she hears the dog outside barking, the a/c just came

on, the thunder is scary and she hates the fan in the bathroom. She

is hearing so well with her ci. We did the surgery as soon as we

could - wish it had been sooner, but you can't change history you

just improve this moment.

Every family has different obsticles and just has to do their best.

I can relate to moms wishing their child was speaking as well as

others around us- hearing or deaf.

It is hard when speech comes easily for some and our child can't say

very much. My sisters daughters are 5 and 6 and they are now

bilingual, and she fusses over their reading skills! I think,, if

only she knew..

But time, therapy, a good ci, and prayer make such a difference.

Our daughter has started asking and answering questions.

Yesterday was a great " first " ! I aksed her " Who wants to go to

Mcs? And she yelled " I do! " Previous she would have just

got excited and kissed me and said yes.

Some of you moms can relate!

Hang in there and Hug 'em!

R.

[Guest guest]

>

> Finally, does anyone else have problems with hypotonia (low muscle

tone) and

> sensory issues. Tessa rolls on the floor a lot and bounces on the

couch a

> lot. She also has these periods where she will take our hands and

squeeze

> them against her cheeks and hold them there. Her special ed

teacher thinks

> that she has sensory issues and suggested that we put her on

a " sensory

> diet " meaning that we help her get that sensory stimulation she

needs.

> Anyone else have problems with this?

Hi Sara,

Our dd has a hypotonia issue and a sensory issue. She is 4 and has

had her Med El implant for 17 months and is doing great.

She has therapy for her si and hypotonia. And in the last 5 months

we have seen great improvement. She has met lots of the goals we

set in January re. these issues.

We are seeing lots of progess with her speech and language. We

have lots of work still to do, but it is awesome to see real

progress.

She has a profound loss and hearing aids were so hopeless. It is

very very hard to be a mom and feel that you are not communicating

with your child. It can be a dark place.

I would certain jump over what ever obsticles and get her a cochlear

implant ASAP. It makes such a difference to get a child implanted

as early as possible. Every month can make a difference.

A cochlear implant has been a miracle for our daughter.

She can tell me she hears the dog outside barking, the a/c just came

on, the thunder is scary and she hates the fan in the bathroom. She

is hearing so well with her ci. We did the surgery as soon as we

could - wish it had been sooner, but you can't change history you

just improve this moment.

Every family has different obsticles and just has to do their best.

I can relate to moms wishing their child was speaking as well as

others around us- hearing or deaf.

It is hard when speech comes easily for some and our child can't say

very much. My sisters daughters are 5 and 6 and they are now

bilingual, and she fusses over their reading skills! I think,, if

only she knew..

But time, therapy, a good ci, and prayer make such a difference.

Our daughter has started asking and answering questions.

Yesterday was a great " first " ! I aksed her " Who wants to go to

Mcs? And she yelled " I do! " Previous she would have just

got excited and kissed me and said yes.

Some of you moms can relate!

Hang in there and Hug 'em!

R.