Re: our full story!!

[Guest guest]

HI !

Your encouragement is so much appreciated and needed. I'd like to answer a

few of your questions but you may want to sit down first! =)

http://www.cherab.org/information/speechlanguage/therapymatrix.html

I had this printed and in hand when I went to the meeting. Not one person would

look at it but the SLP agreed that children with apraxia need more ST than the

typical late talker (she was not the SLP that told me they find apraxia

controversial).. BUT she is the one that said " He may have apraxia at home but

he doesn't at school so he doesn't need that much therapy " . The SLP that told

me they don't really recognize apraxia and it's controversial is another one

that is not treating him. The current one who was in the IEP meeting and is

from NY is his current SLP.

His current SLP (are you sitting down??) told me that he can say " Puh Tah Kah "

so he doesn't have apraxia and she would know because she's worked with lots of

apraxic kids. I said " OF COURSE he can say Puh Tah Kah he's been in speech

therapy for over 1.5 years working on it. " Our private SLP was FLOORED she said

that is simply an uneducated statement.

Here's how the IEP meetings went. He had one at 3 years old when he went into

preschool services. We set up goals, many written by me. I asked then for more

speech and was basically told lets see how he progresses.. The next IEP meeting

was when he turned 4 a year later. We had a temporary SLP in the meeting as

Miss NY wasn't there yet. Again I said he's not progressing like I'd like lets

give him more speech. They said when a permanent SLP is in the school call a

meeting and talk to her about it then. We also didn't write new goals. A month

after Miss NY got there I called another IEP meeting. I had 2 evaluations from

his SLP, His old eval from EI and his note from his ped saying he as apraxia. I

also had " The Late Talker " book and many other printed documents off the

Internet explaining apraxia and how much speech he needed. Most of it from

CHERAB and other resources. So in the meeting I pulled out all my

documentation. I tried to talk and was cut off CONSTANTLY it

was very clear they were going to be in charge of the meeting. Every time I

tried to talk about apraxia they'd say " he doesn't have it at school " .. I'd say

OK whatever you call it he need more speech he needs one on one more than one

day a week. They kept comparing him to other children and saying but he speaks

better than this kid or that and they only get 1 day. After all this they

pulled out his IEP and said the goals were old and he had met them. They showed

me the new goals they wrote up and he would be receiving ST one day a week with

at least one other child. I said I would not sign it because I did not agree

with one day a week. That's when the administrator said if you don't sign the

new IEP than he's met his goals and he will no longer need services.. I swear to

you as sure as I'm sitting here she said that to me. Shortly after that I did

say " I believe your crossing the line into breaking the law I just don't know

enough of the law to say exactly what. "

Then i just lost it. I know better but I was sooooo upset that my little boy

was being treated this way. SO then the SLP starts crying and said " I'm from

NY, when I was working there we could give kids up to 5 days of ST and it hurts

me not to help these kids as much as I'd like. " .. Again, as the lord as my

wittiness this was said. I was floored.. I ended the meeting...

So I'm thinking miss NY probably is somewhat caring and has her hands tied by

the 'system'. WELL, about 2-4 weeks later I read on this list that NY has one

of the best EI systems in the country. I went to talk to her about it and she

very coldly said to me basically they waste money with ST and most kids don't

need that much.. WHAT?????????? Wasn't she the one just crying telling me she

wishes she could give the kids here more???? That's the day I could no longer

even look her in the eye.

My private SLP called her.. She was professional in her report back to me but

in reading between the lines she (private SLP) said if i can get her to work on

pronunciation that's about as much as I'm hoping for. My private SLP said

basically to have her work on /s/ and how to keep his tongue in his mouth,

etc... Those kinds of things because we weren't going to get anything more..

Oh and as a footnote.... I forgot to give my son his Pro-Efa for about a

week.. Stressful times and it just didn't happen.. NOT good. His stuttering was

awful.. I Started him back on it immediately.. Meanwhile he has ST at school and

she said " he was tired today " .. NO KIDDING. Not a word about how bad the

stuttering was just that he wasn't cooperating because he was tired..

I know there is 2 sides to every story.. If you asked them I'm probably

labeled the " irrational " mother that thinks she knows it all.. But everything I

told you is exactly as I see it and interpreted it.

When you say " Evil " that is exactly how I felt.. I said to my husband these

people are truly EVIL...

Thanks for listening. If anyone knows an advocate in NC I'd love to continue

the fight.. I just don't know how right now...

Amy D

kiddietalk <kiddietalk@...> wrote:

Hi Amy,

It's not just sad -it's evil! What monsters you are dealing with!

You say:

" BTW, this speech therapist, the one at school, is from New York. I

told her I

heard that that state has one of the best EI programs in the

country. She said

she felt NY wastes money by giving kids speech up to 5 days a week,

that for

most it truly wasn't necessary. I can't even look this woman in the

eye anymore.

She just infuriates me! "

Perhaps that attitude is why NY schools are ranked in the top 10 in

the country as far as " Smartest State " and North Carolina schools is

ranked at 22.

http://www.morganquitno.com/edrank.htm

Have you shown your school's SLP the severity/intervention matrix?

Where does your child fall on the matrix? Mild? Severe?

http://www.cherab.org/information/speechlanguage/therapymatrix.html

Don't get angry Amy...get information. Makes me wonder if she

really is a speech pathologist if you have to explain why speech

therapy isn't a waste of money!

Is she a professional speech pathologist? Does she have any

certification to share with you? Does she have her " 3 Cs " from

ASHA? If she does can you question ASHA why one of their

professionals would say the (stupid) things she has said to a parent

of an apraxic child? Why is she now in NC or why did she leave NY?

Did she quit? Was she fired? Was she ever named in an educational

lawsuit due to her beliefs?

The Vice Principle that said if you didn't sign the IEP for just one

day a week that meant your child " wouldn't need further services "

that's just ridiculous too. You do need an advocate, a tape

recorder, a paper trail, and probably you should seek out of

district placement.

Just an FYI -I would research through the US Department of Education

stats the number of students classified as MR in your town's school

vs. the National average. From memory the number of students

classified as MR across the country was pretty much the same and not

that high. For some reason (ha) North Carolina I recall had the

highest numbers Nationwide.

Who benefits when a late talker child falls through the cracks and

is misclassified as MR down the road? Anyone?

The child? The parents of the child? Society?

and since it happens at the source...the school where the child is

misclassified?

Do schools get extra funds for students classified as MR?

Is there anyone in this group in NC that can be an advocate for Amy

and her child?!

Amy keep fighting the monsters away from your child!

=========

[Guest guest]

Where in NC are you?

Amy <acdudick@...> wrote:

HI !

Your encouragement is so much appreciated and needed. I'd like to answer a

few of your questions but you may want to sit down first! =)

http://www.cherab.org/information/speechlanguage/therapymatrix.html

I had this printed and in hand when I went to the meeting. Not one person would

look at it but the SLP agreed that children with apraxia need more ST than the

typical late talker (she was not the SLP that told me they find apraxia

controversial).. BUT she is the one that said " He may have apraxia at home but

he doesn't at school so he doesn't need that much therapy " . The SLP that told

me they don't really recognize apraxia and it's controversial is another one

that is not treating him. The current one who was in the IEP meeting and is

from NY is his current SLP.

His current SLP (are you sitting down??) told me that he can say " Puh Tah Kah "

so he doesn't have apraxia and she would know because she's worked with lots of

apraxic kids. I said " OF COURSE he can say Puh Tah Kah he's been in speech

therapy for over 1.5 years working on it. " Our private SLP was FLOORED she said

that is simply an uneducated statement.

Here's how the IEP meetings went. He had one at 3 years old when he went into

preschool services. We set up goals, many written by me. I asked then for more

speech and was basically told lets see how he progresses.. The next IEP meeting

was when he turned 4 a year later. We had a temporary SLP in the meeting as

Miss NY wasn't there yet. Again I said he's not progressing like I'd like lets

give him more speech. They said when a permanent SLP is in the school call a

meeting and talk to her about it then. We also didn't write new goals. A month

after Miss NY got there I called another IEP meeting. I had 2 evaluations from

his SLP, His old eval from EI and his note from his ped saying he as apraxia. I

also had " The Late Talker " book and many other printed documents off the

Internet explaining apraxia and how much speech he needed. Most of it from

CHERAB and other resources. So in the meeting I pulled out all my

documentation. I tried to talk and was cut off CONSTANTLY it

was very clear they were going to be in charge of the meeting. Every time I

tried to talk about apraxia they'd say " he doesn't have it at school " .. I'd say

OK whatever you call it he need more speech he needs one on one more than one

day a week. They kept comparing him to other children and saying but he speaks

better than this kid or that and they only get 1 day. After all this they

pulled out his IEP and said the goals were old and he had met them. They showed

me the new goals they wrote up and he would be receiving ST one day a week with

at least one other child. I said I would not sign it because I did not agree

with one day a week. That's when the administrator said if you don't sign the

new IEP than he's met his goals and he will no longer need services.. I swear to

you as sure as I'm sitting here she said that to me. Shortly after that I did

say " I believe your crossing the line into breaking the law I just don't know

enough of the law to say exactly what. "

Then i just lost it. I know better but I was sooooo upset that my little boy

was being treated this way. SO then the SLP starts crying and said " I'm from

NY, when I was working there we could give kids up to 5 days of ST and it hurts

me not to help these kids as much as I'd like. " .. Again, as the lord as my

wittiness this was said. I was floored.. I ended the meeting...

So I'm thinking miss NY probably is somewhat caring and has her hands tied by

the 'system'. WELL, about 2-4 weeks later I read on this list that NY has one

of the best EI systems in the country. I went to talk to her about it and she

very coldly said to me basically they waste money with ST and most kids don't

need that much.. WHAT?????????? Wasn't she the one just crying telling me she

wishes she could give the kids here more???? That's the day I could no longer

even look her in the eye.

My private SLP called her.. She was professional in her report back to me but

in reading between the lines she (private SLP) said if i can get her to work on

pronunciation that's about as much as I'm hoping for. My private SLP said

basically to have her work on /s/ and how to keep his tongue in his mouth,

etc... Those kinds of things because we weren't going to get anything more..

Oh and as a footnote.... I forgot to give my son his Pro-Efa for about a

week.. Stressful times and it just didn't happen.. NOT good. His stuttering was

awful.. I Started him back on it immediately.. Meanwhile he has ST at school and

she said " he was tired today " .. NO KIDDING. Not a word about how bad the

stuttering was just that he wasn't cooperating because he was tired..

I know there is 2 sides to every story.. If you asked them I'm probably

labeled the " irrational " mother that thinks she knows it all.. But everything I

told you is exactly as I see it and interpreted it.

When you say " Evil " that is exactly how I felt.. I said to my husband these

people are truly EVIL...

Thanks for listening. If anyone knows an advocate in NC I'd love to continue

the fight.. I just don't know how right now...

Amy D

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

We are in Wake County.. Are you in NC??

Thanks for asking,

Amy

Corbo <christinacorbo@...> wrote:

Where in NC are you?

Amy <acdudick@...> wrote:

HI !

Your encouragement is so much appreciated and needed. I'd like to answer a

few of your questions but you may want to sit down first! =)

http://www.cherab.org/information/speechlanguage/therapymatrix.html

I had this printed and in hand when I went to the meeting. Not one person would

look at it but the SLP agreed that children with apraxia need more ST than the

typical late talker (she was not the SLP that told me they find apraxia

controversial).. BUT she is the one that said " He may have apraxia at home but

he doesn't at school so he doesn't need that much therapy " . The SLP that told

me they don't really recognize apraxia and it's controversial is another one

that is not treating him. The current one who was in the IEP meeting and is

from NY is his current SLP.

His current SLP (are you sitting down??) told me that he can say " Puh Tah Kah "

so he doesn't have apraxia and she would know because she's worked with lots of

apraxic kids. I said " OF COURSE he can say Puh Tah Kah he's been in speech

therapy for over 1.5 years working on it. " Our private SLP was FLOORED she said

that is simply an uneducated statement.

Here's how the IEP meetings went. He had one at 3 years old when he went into

preschool services. We set up goals, many written by me. I asked then for more

speech and was basically told lets see how he progresses.. The next IEP meeting

was when he turned 4 a year later. We had a temporary SLP in the meeting as

Miss NY wasn't there yet. Again I said he's not progressing like I'd like lets

give him more speech. They said when a permanent SLP is in the school call a

meeting and talk to her about it then. We also didn't write new goals. A month

after Miss NY got there I called another IEP meeting. I had 2 evaluations from

his SLP, His old eval from EI and his note from his ped saying he as apraxia. I

also had " The Late Talker " book and many other printed documents off the

Internet explaining apraxia and how much speech he needed. Most of it from

CHERAB and other resources. So in the meeting I pulled out all my

documentation. I tried to talk and was cut off CONSTANTLY it

was very clear they were going to be in charge of the meeting. Every time I

tried to talk about apraxia they'd say " he doesn't have it at school " .. I'd say

OK whatever you call it he need more speech he needs one on one more than one

day a week. They kept comparing him to other children and saying but he speaks

better than this kid or that and they only get 1 day. After all this they

pulled out his IEP and said the goals were old and he had met them. They showed

me the new goals they wrote up and he would be receiving ST one day a week with

at least one other child. I said I would not sign it because I did not agree

with one day a week. That's when the administrator said if you don't sign the

new IEP than he's met his goals and he will no longer need services.. I swear to

you as sure as I'm sitting here she said that to me. Shortly after that I did

say " I believe your crossing the line into breaking the law I just don't know

enough of the law to say exactly what. "

Then i just lost it. I know better but I was sooooo upset that my little boy

was being treated this way. SO then the SLP starts crying and said " I'm from

NY, when I was working there we could give kids up to 5 days of ST and it hurts

me not to help these kids as much as I'd like. " .. Again, as the lord as my

wittiness this was said. I was floored.. I ended the meeting...

So I'm thinking miss NY probably is somewhat caring and has her hands tied by

the 'system'. WELL, about 2-4 weeks later I read on this list that NY has one

of the best EI systems in the country. I went to talk to her about it and she

very coldly said to me basically they waste money with ST and most kids don't

need that much.. WHAT?????????? Wasn't she the one just crying telling me she

wishes she could give the kids here more???? That's the day I could no longer

even look her in the eye.

My private SLP called her.. She was professional in her report back to me but

in reading between the lines she (private SLP) said if i can get her to work on

pronunciation that's about as much as I'm hoping for. My private SLP said

basically to have her work on /s/ and how to keep his tongue in his mouth,

etc... Those kinds of things because we weren't going to get anything more..

Oh and as a footnote.... I forgot to give my son his Pro-Efa for about a

week.. Stressful times and it just didn't happen.. NOT good. His stuttering was

awful.. I Started him back on it immediately.. Meanwhile he has ST at school and

she said " he was tired today " .. NO KIDDING. Not a word about how bad the

stuttering was just that he wasn't cooperating because he was tired..

I know there is 2 sides to every story.. If you asked them I'm probably

labeled the " irrational " mother that thinks she knows it all.. But everything I

told you is exactly as I see it and interpreted it.

When you say " Evil " that is exactly how I felt.. I said to my husband these

people are truly EVIL...

Thanks for listening. If anyone knows an advocate in NC I'd love to continue

the fight.. I just don't know how right now...

Amy D

[Guest guest]

EI= early intervention

[Guest guest]

I read on this list that NY has one of the best EI systems in the country

What does EI stand for?

Thanks.

[Guest guest]

Early Intervention, New York's birth-to-three program.

________________________________

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of a Melnyk

Sent: Monday, February 27, 2006 8:34 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] our " full " story!!

I read on this list that NY has one of the best EI systems in the

country

What does EI stand for?

Thanks.

[Guest guest]

It stands for Early Intervention. Usually it's the age range up to 3 years

old.. I actually should have said Early Intervention and Pre-K.(preschool). I

don't have any first hand knowledge but did hear that NY has a proactive

program.. I don't live in New York.

Amy

[Guest guest]

Hi,

EI stands for Early Intervention. Each state runs their programs

differently. EI has sent therapists to my daughter since she was 3 months old,

bought her equipment, and helped me get her approved for a Medicaid waiver, so

that she gets Medicaid without our income being considered. She has Cerebral

Palsy, so she qualifies for tons of services. At this moment there is an

architect in my home, drawing up plans for a new accessible doorway and ramp,

which will be paid for by Medicaid. NY has a reputation of being a very high tax

state, but the services my daughter has recieved are incredible.

a Melnyk <melnykinhouston@...> wrote:

I read on this list that NY has one of the best EI systems in the country

What does EI stand for?

Thanks.

[Guest guest]

Hi Amy,

We are in Currituck County, NC which is in northeastern NC. We are just

beginning to struggle with our schools in getting services for my 3 year old

Apraxic/PDD-NOS son, and they're not at all agreeable or accomodating.

I have recently met a lady nearby who has been in the same boat and has been

to parent advocacy training. She has helped other families in our area as well.

Maybe if you would like, I could ask her to give you a call and at least you

could talk to her.

let me know,

Amy <acdudick@...> wrote:

Hi ,

We are in Wake County.. Are you in NC??

Thanks for asking,

Amy

Corbo <christinacorbo@...> wrote:

Where in NC are you?

Amy <acdudick@...> wrote:

HI !

Your encouragement is so much appreciated and needed. I'd like to answer a

few of your questions but you may want to sit down first! =)

http://www.cherab.org/information/speechlanguage/therapymatrix.html

I had this printed and in hand when I went to the meeting. Not one person would

look at it but the SLP agreed that children with apraxia need more ST than the

typical late talker (she was not the SLP that told me they find apraxia

controversial).. BUT she is the one that said " He may have apraxia at home but

he doesn't at school so he doesn't need that much therapy " . The SLP that told

me they don't really recognize apraxia and it's controversial is another one

that is not treating him. The current one who was in the IEP meeting and is

from NY is his current SLP.

His current SLP (are you sitting down??) told me that he can say " Puh Tah Kah "

so he doesn't have apraxia and she would know because she's worked with lots of

apraxic kids. I said " OF COURSE he can say Puh Tah Kah he's been in speech

therapy for over 1.5 years working on it. " Our private SLP was FLOORED she said

that is simply an uneducated statement.

Here's how the IEP meetings went. He had one at 3 years old when he went into

preschool services. We set up goals, many written by me. I asked then for more

speech and was basically told lets see how he progresses.. The next IEP meeting

was when he turned 4 a year later. We had a temporary SLP in the meeting as

Miss NY wasn't there yet. Again I said he's not progressing like I'd like lets

give him more speech. They said when a permanent SLP is in the school call a

meeting and talk to her about it then. We also didn't write new goals. A month

after Miss NY got there I called another IEP meeting. I had 2 evaluations from

his SLP, His old eval from EI and his note from his ped saying he as apraxia. I

also had " The Late Talker " book and many other printed documents off the

Internet explaining apraxia and how much speech he needed. Most of it from

CHERAB and other resources. So in the meeting I pulled out all my

documentation. I tried to talk and was cut off CONSTANTLY it

was very clear they were going to be in charge of the meeting. Every time I

tried to talk about apraxia they'd say " he doesn't have it at school " .. I'd say

OK whatever you call it he need more speech he needs one on one more than one

day a week. They kept comparing him to other children and saying but he speaks

better than this kid or that and they only get 1 day. After all this they

pulled out his IEP and said the goals were old and he had met them. They showed

me the new goals they wrote up and he would be receiving ST one day a week with

at least one other child. I said I would not sign it because I did not agree

with one day a week. That's when the administrator said if you don't sign the

new IEP than he's met his goals and he will no longer need services.. I swear to

you as sure as I'm sitting here she said that to me. Shortly after that I did

say " I believe your crossing the line into breaking the law I just don't know

enough of the law to say exactly what. "

Then i just lost it. I know better but I was sooooo upset that my little boy

was being treated this way. SO then the SLP starts crying and said " I'm from

NY, when I was working there we could give kids up to 5 days of ST and it hurts

me not to help these kids as much as I'd like. " .. Again, as the lord as my

wittiness this was said. I was floored.. I ended the meeting...

So I'm thinking miss NY probably is somewhat caring and has her hands tied by

the 'system'. WELL, about 2-4 weeks later I read on this list that NY has one

of the best EI systems in the country. I went to talk to her about it and she

very coldly said to me basically they waste money with ST and most kids don't

need that much.. WHAT?????????? Wasn't she the one just crying telling me she

wishes she could give the kids here more???? That's the day I could no longer

even look her in the eye.

My private SLP called her.. She was professional in her report back to me but

in reading between the lines she (private SLP) said if i can get her to work on

pronunciation that's about as much as I'm hoping for. My private SLP said

basically to have her work on /s/ and how to keep his tongue in his mouth,

etc... Those kinds of things because we weren't going to get anything more..

Oh and as a footnote.... I forgot to give my son his Pro-Efa for about a

week.. Stressful times and it just didn't happen.. NOT good. His stuttering was

awful.. I Started him back on it immediately.. Meanwhile he has ST at school and

she said " he was tired today " .. NO KIDDING. Not a word about how bad the

stuttering was just that he wasn't cooperating because he was tired..

I know there is 2 sides to every story.. If you asked them I'm probably

labeled the " irrational " mother that thinks she knows it all.. But everything I

told you is exactly as I see it and interpreted it.

When you say " Evil " that is exactly how I felt.. I said to my husband these

people are truly EVIL...

Thanks for listening. If anyone knows an advocate in NC I'd love to continue

the fight.. I just don't know how right now...

Amy D