Well......we had our evaluation with LAUSD last weekend. They knew we wanted E to continue services and not wait until Sept so they graciously rushed our IEP (Individual Education Plan) appointment to yesterday.
We sat there for over 2 hours while all the therapists read their reports (like many times before). They said how special Emmie is and how she does show great potential.
And then the offers.....(the lawyers in the advocacy group Adam went to through Regional Center told us NOT to sign the IEP offer right away as they usually try to give you the least possible to save money).
OPTION 1
Emmie qualifies for 2.5 hrs of services per day at the special needs preschool. Not individual therapy...she would be in a classroom of 12 other kids (at different special needs levels) and they would not be working with her one on one. The teachers in the class basically show the kids how to function in a school setting. She would have to keep her regular preschool full time and we would have to pick her up and drop her off at the other school for 2.5 hours everyday and then take her back to her regular preschool. WHAT? Are you nuts? Great if we had all the time in the world to not work and drive all over the city. OR we also have the option of E being transported by a city worker on a bus. I DON'T THINK SO. For a kid who likes stability and thrives on a schedule we don't feel like uprooting her everyday to be with a different driver, different teacher and different kids is a great option. Not going to work for us....
OPTION 2
We can have a therapist come into her regular school for 1 hour A MONTH and show the teachers what to do to help Emmie. This doesn't seem like a lot but if we're going to have to help E on our own this might be the best option. That way she can be comfortable with the same teacher and kids.
Adam and I are torn by what to do.
Physically she seems to consistently be a year behind (BUT SHES SUCH A SMART GIRL)...so do we keep her in a regular school but maybe a year back if the older kids pose a safety risk with being so much physically quicker and physical?
We're going to have to continue to work on therapy with Emmie at home and have found a great website that has some of the things she used in therapy:
www.sensoryedge.com
A little annoying that the prices are so high as they know people need these things but whatever.
Thank goodness I have a crafty husband!! He's already been talking about the things he wants to build for E to practice on (balance beam...stairs...etc).
I found a Polymicrogyria Group on Facebook and there are local LA parents that want to get together. I'm really excited to meet other parents and share experiences. Polymicrogyria Group Facebook
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Trying to get Emmie therapy after she's 3
Well....life has brought us back to sunny California. Emmie is thriving and we are so proud of her. We were able to get her 1 month of therapies through the Regional Center (5 separate appointments each week...which is interesting to juggle as a full time working family).
Occupational Therapy (OT): They help Emmie with her coordination and motor skills
Physical Therapy (PT): They help Emmie move the right way with ease and build muscle.
Speech Therapy: They work with Emmie on developing the right language skills. Helping her with her S and helping her to express herself by saying things like ' no biting', or 'no pushing'.
Floor Time: who knows....I think this was more for mommy and daddy to talk about the next steps and how to help Emmie deal with everything coming her way.
Once she turned three (a few weeks ago!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!) she no longer qualifies for the same state services and gets turned over to the school system. What does that mean? Nobody seems to be able to give us a straight answer. We went for the first round of evaluations with the school district. Seems as though they don't care what the diagnosis is through Boston but that they need to determine for themselves. URG. I hope she can get the care she needs and not pushed aside because her condition doesn't 'FIT' one of their categories. She's such a fighter and trys her hardest at everything she does. Its so amazing to watch. She's an observer and watches to figure it out before she tackles something (kind of like mommy). She will try 10 times to get it. It does get frustrating for her and she bites her hand occasionally but we just have to encourage her as much as we can.
She's walking a bit better although still very 'toddler like' as the school evaluator put it.
She's not drooling as much anymore....only seems to be when she's anxious.
She's talking a lot more. 2-3 word sentences...but babbling a lot. She's gets her point across!
STILL Potty Training...Floor time therapist didn't think she was ready. She still wouldn't be able to manage by herself.....she'll figure it out soon!
We should hear back from the school district in a few weeks.....CROSS YOUR FINGERS.
Adam and I have been doing our best to keep her engaged and challenged everyday! Its exhausting but we're doing it! Thank goodness we're doing it together.
First day of Preschool Summer Program tomorrow.....excited for her. NERVOUS about her safety....Kids keep pushing her. I just want to run over and push them back.....
Occupational Therapy (OT): They help Emmie with her coordination and motor skills
Physical Therapy (PT): They help Emmie move the right way with ease and build muscle.
Speech Therapy: They work with Emmie on developing the right language skills. Helping her with her S and helping her to express herself by saying things like ' no biting', or 'no pushing'.
Floor Time: who knows....I think this was more for mommy and daddy to talk about the next steps and how to help Emmie deal with everything coming her way.
Once she turned three (a few weeks ago!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!) she no longer qualifies for the same state services and gets turned over to the school system. What does that mean? Nobody seems to be able to give us a straight answer. We went for the first round of evaluations with the school district. Seems as though they don't care what the diagnosis is through Boston but that they need to determine for themselves. URG. I hope she can get the care she needs and not pushed aside because her condition doesn't 'FIT' one of their categories. She's such a fighter and trys her hardest at everything she does. Its so amazing to watch. She's an observer and watches to figure it out before she tackles something (kind of like mommy). She will try 10 times to get it. It does get frustrating for her and she bites her hand occasionally but we just have to encourage her as much as we can.
She's walking a bit better although still very 'toddler like' as the school evaluator put it.
She's not drooling as much anymore....only seems to be when she's anxious.
She's talking a lot more. 2-3 word sentences...but babbling a lot. She's gets her point across!
STILL Potty Training...Floor time therapist didn't think she was ready. She still wouldn't be able to manage by herself.....she'll figure it out soon!
We should hear back from the school district in a few weeks.....CROSS YOUR FINGERS.
Adam and I have been doing our best to keep her engaged and challenged everyday! Its exhausting but we're doing it! Thank goodness we're doing it together.
First day of Preschool Summer Program tomorrow.....excited for her. NERVOUS about her safety....Kids keep pushing her. I just want to run over and push them back.....
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