looking for speech therapist Nj shore

April 3, 2002

I had my IFSP meeting yesterday for my 23 month old son. His

evaluation from Early Intervention was last week. They have

diagnosed him with a " motor speech disorder " . We will be getting a

second opinion from Children's Specialized Hospital in Toms River NJ

tomorrow and he has a pediatric neurologist exam May 1.

During my meeting yesterday it was brought to my attention that EI

will not have a speech therapist available for him. They will likely

offer me a " therapist type person " (someone with some sort of

training) with a speech pathologist consulting. This isn't

exceptable to me or to the team that did the evaluation. I was told

when EI offers the non-therapist that I can refuse and then I would

be allowed to obtain an outside speech therapist and that EI would

pay for that. PROVIDED that the services are performed in my son's

natural environment (home). Basically I was told at the IFSP meeting

to start looking now for a speech therapist that would be willing to

treat him in the home.

If anyone knows of a speech therapist in the NJ shore (point

pleasant) area that may be willing to make home visits (i can be very

convincing) please let me know.

The only reason i got involved with EI was becuase I believed that

home therapy would work best with such a young child. If I lived in

Monmouth County apparantly it would be no problem but in Ocean county

there is a shortage ---- that's a state program for you.

April 4, 2002

Hi ,

I live in Ocean County and my son was evaluated at Children's in Toms River

last year. They told me within 10 minutes he has Apraxia. Anyway, he goes

to a preschool here and I have an outside speech pathologist come to the

school to see him twice a week in addition to the speech therapist from

school. They may do home visits also, not quite sure but it is worth

checking into. If you would like to give them a call and check it out the

name of the place is Eden and the managers name is Donna. The phone # is

732-279-0600. She said they take all types of insurance, not sure where

they are located. I hope this helps. If you go this route, post how you

make out with it.

Tammy - mom to 3 boys and 1 on the way!

>If anyone knows of a speech therapist in the NJ shore (point

>pleasant) area that may be willing to make home visits (i can be very

>convincing) please let me know.

>

>The only reason i got involved with EI was becuase I believed that

>home therapy would work best with such a young child. If I lived in

>Monmouth County apparantly it would be no problem but in Ocean county

>there is a shortage ---- that's a state program for you.

>

April 4, 2002

Tammy,

Thanks. My son had his evaluation at Children's this morning. They diagnosed

Expressive language Disorder not ruling out apraxia. He is 23 months old. They

feel he is too young for a firm diagnosis of Apraxia to be made. Of course my

insurance won't cover therapy for expressive language problems at such a young

age but would for neurological problems. That's a whole different battle.

Children's does do in home, they have a waiting list which they are looking

into getting me on. I'm going to call Donna at Eden now. Thanks again for you

help.