Re: OT confused about diagnosis-long

[Guest guest]

> > We, like many, didn't realize just how " different " Jane was until

our

> > son came along 20 mos later. He was teaching her peek-a-boo,

shaking

> > her head " no " , and game back and forth play. I got an advocate

> > through ARC today who will help us throught the ARD process as the

> > school is pushing for a diagnosis of speech delay. " Then she would

> > only have to come twice a week for an hour! " That's good?! I asked

> > how the school could overstep two doctors?

Janelle -

Go with your gut. Don't make the mistake we did - they (the school

district) told us our son was so high functioning that he didn't need

intensive behavioral intervention, we took such comfort in that. It

lulled us into a false sense of security - " He's not that bad, thank

God he doesn't need 40 hours a week intervention. " Well - we now have

40 hours a week intervention and he is doing amazingly well - he

needs it - most of our kids need as much one-on-one intervention as

they can tollerate. I know the label isn't something we should focus

on, but it gets you services. I won't let go of the label until I

feel my son doesn't need the services.

Anyway - this of course is just my opinion, but I would give my right

aarm to have the 8 months we spent thinking he " wasn't that bad " back

sso that we could have started his intensive program at 2 years 9

months instead of at 3.5 years.

Moira

Mom to Vico (4 ASD) and Culzean (16 months)

[Guest guest]

Janelle,

I agree with the other responses you have received so far on this. The

" label " or diagnosis IS very important when it comes to services. And it is

also very important where that diagnosis comes from, at least it is that way

in my state (WA). is right - the therapists CANNOT make the diagnosis.

You have a diagnosis of PDD made by 2 docs that should know - usually it's

the docs who are reluctant to give the diagnosis, so if you have received it

from 2 seperate specialists, and you and your family members feel that fits

with what you know/feel about your daughter, then it is probably accurate.

Sensory Integration also is like the new " thing " these days with therapists.

The therapy itself is great, but in my experience all the therapists were

almost excited when they told me they thought my son had SID. They all

insisted that there was no way he was PDD or autistic but that he most

definitely fit the SID picture and they were so convincing. My son is

autistic. More than meets all the criteria on every

checklist/manual/evaluation there is. Has been diagnosed and confirmed by

several specialists. He certainly has sensory ISSUES, but that is only part

of his picture.

Of course your school district thinks it's great to only label her " speech

delay " because then they don't have to spend as much of their resources on

her. Do you have copies of her evaluations from the docs? Our school

district asked for ours and has even included several quotes from our son's

neurologist, as well as referenced the report several times in their own

evaluation report. I'm not sure how they can override her diagnosis - my

thought is that they CAN'T, but that doesn't mean they won't try, and I know

all districts and states are different. You are right to fight that and do

what will be best for your daughter. Don't let the therapists confuse you.

You have a diagnosis, your own experience and feelings, and knowledgeable

family members who agree with you. The therapists don't live with her.

Try to stay focused and be strong for your daughter. You know she needs more

help than what they seem to want to give her so you are doing the right

thing.

Good luck and keep us posted,