My daughter had EI services for only 8 weeks. I called EI way too late, when she was 2 1/2. By the time we finished all the meetings, it was Mid-May and she turned 3 that July.
We first met with our district's CST in May 2013. Liv wasn't cooperative so they looked at her EI papers. I probably shouldn't have brought them; she technically didn't qualify for EI But the therapists put her through based on clinical opinion. They were the first ones to mention "auditory processing" to me and said "her brightness overshadows her weakness." And it's so true. Still, to this day!
School turned her down for further testing. Liv started a private preschool that fall. I adored her teachers and fellow classmates.
February 2014, Liv had a speech evaluation. After the testing, her scores indicated she was 11 months delayed. I requested another meeting with CST. This time, Liv went back with them alone and was cooperative. And again, they denied her further testing. She answered all their questions correctly. She was able to "find a food that was green" among many objects. Their only red flag was that she couldn't answer WH-questions. (Isn't that a big red flag?) They appeased me by saying they could put her in an Inclusion class this fall. I was happy with that. Regular mainstream classroom with 2 teachers. Full in-class support. Of course, I still want an IEP for her.
June 2014. After waiting 6 months, Liv was finally seen by a developmental pediatrician. She did not think Livvie is autistic, because she has too many good social skills. But she said we will keep monitoring her. She did diagnose her with delayed milestones, language disorder, and sensory processing disorder. She said Livvie requires speech and OT.
Back to today ~ I have now requested, for the 3rd time, Liv to be tested. I called to speak with the special education director today. I'm still baffled by things he said. Because L is under age 5, she has to be classified by the SCHOOL, regardless of what her doctor diagnosed. What does age 5 have to do with anything? The school district is responsible from age 3-21. If anything, the most important time TO intervene is early!!!
The director said it didn't matter that L Is delayed - she has to have a language disability. Which she does...and if they would just test her, they could see the gaps in her language comprehension.
I just don't understand why it has to be so hard. I just want to help her. Especially before her peers catch on with how far behind she may be to them. And she's going to be one of the younger ones in her class, since she has a July birthday.
I'll be making MORE phone calls tomorrow.
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