DS2 Speech Therapy

[Thirteen]

His latest eval shows him a full year behind on expressive speech.


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[L.Jane]

His latest eval shows him a full year behind on expressive speech.


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I'm sorry. That must be frustrating. Do they have a plan for you and him? With you in his corner, no matter what he is going to be a fine, happy kid.

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[OrionGrad]

I'm sorry [MENTION=1497]Thirteen[/MENTION].

[Thirteen]

I think we are increasing therapy days per week, and we also added OT as of this week after I pressed for a screener eval. He will be seeing OT 2x week and Speech 2x week. Hoping for big leaps in 6 months!


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[scrub-jay]

DS2 Speech Therapy

I'm sorry [MENTION=1497]Thirteen[/MENTION]. I hope increasing therapy will help him jump start. Way to go advocating for him. 😊

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

I know before you said that you didn't feel like he was improving. Are they seeing an improvement. He's not biting any more from your other thread so maybe at least his frustration is down?

[niener]

I know how frustrating this is for you, I'm so sorry. I agree with L.Jane, he's got the best advocate around and he's a fun, sweet kid, just with a hell of a stubborn streak . He's going to be fine, but fingers crossed for your sake he hits an "aha" moment soon!!!

[Thirteen]

Me too -- beyond just wanting him to feel empowered by speech, the out of pocket costs will bleed us dry. 🙈


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[Thirteen]

Developmental Pediatrician appointment this morning: excited to see how we can continue to help, and maybe discover why both of our kids are exceptional in this area. ❤️


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[TulipsAndSunscreen]

Check back in when you're back! Rooting for you guys.

[Thirteen]

So, she says he has severe ADHD that limits his ability to focus to learn, and since talking is hard, he is stubborn and doesn’t want to try.
She says to switch from OT to ABA, and continue with speech.
She also is suggesting some testing, and wants me to consider medication now since his language is so far behind. (Not sure how I feel about that at 3)
She gave me a referral so hopefully insurance will cover the ABA.
She said his attention span is approximately 10 seconds.
She said no ASD.
She also said no ASD for DS1, but understands why people were concerned because they look similar at the age.

I go back for testing for him in one month, and we also had genetic test (swab) done since both of my kids are exceptional.


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[scrub-jay]

What do they look for with genetic testing? I’m intrigued!

[niener]

Firstly, ((hugs)) -- specialty appointments always have an element of suckitude even if the result is getting him on the right track. ADHD does seem to make more sense than ASD. Does this diagnosis feel like a better fit to you? Also **all the fingers crossed** that insurance covers ABA!!

What do they look for with genetic testing? I’m intrigued!

Curious about this as well!

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

How long was the appointment? Do you feel confident in the assessment?

Are you feeling better/worse/neutral after speaking to her?


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[Thirteen]

DS2 Speech Therapy

The appointment was 70 minutes long. I feel she was on point with him and where he is/what he needs.

They are looking for genetic deletions, that sort of thing, to rule out genetic issue for speech for both kids. Jury is still out. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2977079/

I met with director of ABA clinical center today (the only one who has availability and will see my son who doesn’t have ASD label). Their minimum is 4x week, at $50 session, or they can do intensive (M-F 9-3, year round) at $30k annually out of pocket. I am hoping that insurance will cover, because we have a referral from the developmental pediatrician. Otherwise... I don’t know how this will work. It’s so much money. We currently pay for speech out of pocket, and OT out of pocket, and it’s killing us. I am restructuring finances again.
I understand why people choose medication instead, as it is covered and far cheaper.
I have reservations about putting my 3 year old on speed. I certainly am not anti-med, but this is an “under 5” brain, and I don’t know studies for this age group on meds. My plan was to try ABA for 1-2 months and evaluate outcomes, before considering medication.

We are 20th in line for cancellations for the state-run preschool diagnostic intervention services. Our appointment with them is end of January. They will do their own evaluation, write up, recommendations and therapies (IEP formation), but my experience with DS1 leads me to believe it will take until the end of the school year to secure. Then, since no services in summer, pushed back until next fall. We can’t wait on their timeline, so here we are. ❤️


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