You Are Welcome To Make Accommodations At Home

Before the New Year, the school held an IEP meeting for my son. All testing had been turned in from our private therapy facility and extra testing had been done through the schools. They started the meeting by telling me that even though he required four hours of public therapy, through the schools they would only provide what was academically necessary. So, instead of two hours of speech and two hours of occupational therapy, he would receive 45 minutes of speech a week. I was told it wasn't academically necessary for him to receive any OT. When I argued and said, "But, he can't button and zip his pants and has trouble dressing himself when he uses the restroom." They told me to make accommodations at home, so that, this wouldn't be a problem at school. The OT told me,"Send him to school in elastic pants, so it won't be a problem. Many students wear them."

So, my son started receiving speech services after the holiday, and I started making accommodations at home. Everyday I send him to school in clothes that will not cause a disruption, and he will he successful in until Wednesday. Wednesday temperatures were below zero. I had to send him to school in a snowsuit. Because he couldn't take it off quickly, he got a tardy. Then, he caused his class to be late at dismissal because the teacher had to put it back on him. When I went to pick him up, his teacher told me that if I send him to school in clothing that he can't manage, I need to come in to help him take it off and put it on because she has 24 students and can't help him.

I understand that teachers are busy. I do. I taught for eight years. This to me should be a red flag that yes it is academically necessary to give this kid occupational therapy. What if, I wasn't available to help my son? Would he not receive the help he needs? The system really frustrates me, but I know the system well. I know for any change to occur I must document everything. Still I am not sure if that will even be enough. It's hard when your kid is one of the ones that falls in the cracks ( not low enough to receive services but still needs help). I am just thankful that I am a mom that can accommadate and be there.

Starting Over In a New State

Recently, we moved to a different state and started the process to qualify for therapy again. One of the hardest things about moving is starting this process over. Each state has their own testing and requirements. The fastest way to do this is through private therapy. Once a new doctor has put in a script, you pay fees for new evaluations. This process can be costly. For example, it was $600 for each child to receive a ST, PT, and OT evaluation. Since we have not reached our deductable, this was an expense out of pocket. Once we found out that we did qualify, we also found out that insurance was not going to really help us (for the 7 hours of therapy at $200 an hour). We then turned to the schools to help our children with therapy. Testing through the schools took three months. They took the evaluations from private therapy, but added their own testing as well. Then, it was followed by the IEP process before we could start. We moved here mid-August and my kids are starting therapy in the new year. I am excited that it is finally happening, but exhausted by the whole process. The schools are also only giving my children speech. Where as, in private they qualified for speech and occupational therapy. Right now, we are going to take what we can get and call it a win.