Need some ammo

[Googsmom aka Jennifer]

Ever sence Brook went to OHSU for the DS clinic i've been fuming mad that Brook doesn't get ST as part of ESD (EI). Fummming mad. I have calls and emails into everyone and the case manager knows i'm not to happy. I just found out that she may not get ST in school b/c she's never had it as of yet. She age's out of ESD in April and then we're on to school full time.

What do I do? I don't really wanna fight w/ the PT (who is also her case manager) and her OT b/c they are nice girls but now i'm finding them &%@#$@%&^!!!!!!! I'm so darn frustrated and ready to fight!!

I've looked through all my law books and can't really find any concrete thing that says Brook is intitled to ST. I need something in writing. I have 5 different doctors w/ scripts ready to go if ESD is going to drag their feet. Untill then I need some more ammo b/c the Dept of Education says i'll have a hard time when she goes to school if I don't get this ball rolling.

[sigh....]

[jelanismom]

These links might be useful....the first one should be.

www.oregonparentsunited.com/bill_of_rights.htm

www.herring.org/speech.html

bluebook.state.or.us/education/specialed/specialed.htm

[Googsmom aka Jennifer]

Thx Dawn. I have SO SO SO many people on my side right now. Just waiting for the ball to drop on ESD. The Spec Ed guy of the State of Oregon just called to tell me he too is confused as to why she has never received ST. Also the Office for Civil Rights and Oregon Advocacy Center is on my side too. I think they are in for a rude awakining but in the same note I don't really want to pi** them all the way off I just want whats right. My first real "fight" for what is in the best intrest of the Brookster.....ugggg sigh

[damarasmom]

I don't have any helpful info for you, but wanted to say "YOU GO GIRL"...Damara didn't get ST until she aged out of EI, We fought and fought and never got it! They were Short staffed and she wasn't high on the needs list!

GRRRRR...she is going on 5 and still isn't speaking well at all! I'm still so angry about this!

I sure hope you get better service than we did.

[faithhope]

Dont have any advice for you my dear, just wanted to send you a (((((((((((((( HUG))))))))))))))))) your way and to let you know I will be praying for you and Brook. You will get ST for that little angel of yours and everything will work out as God wants. I just know this, you are an amazing mom.
Love,
Jess

[CC]

"I just found out that she may not get ST in school b/c she's never had it as of yet"

Hmmm K, do you mind if I ask who told you that? Whoever told you that are they aware of the "I" in the IEP? Is Brook speaking like any other child her age or are there delays? Pretty simple speech delay requires speech therapy services weather she has had therapy prior to school or not.

If it were me and they denied ST I would nicely put in writing that I disagree and would request an independent evaluation with an speech therapist that is not connected to the school. I have done that a few times with my Chris over the years and they had to and pay for the independent eval and every time we did this Chris got the services he needed

Best of Luck

CC ~

[Googsmom aka Jennifer]

CC, The Dept of Ed said that. Grrrr.......... Then another man called back later yesterday and said I most likely will have to request a private eval and use that if ESD drags their feet. I can do that!! This has all come about b/c i'm working on Brooks Age Out of ESD make an IEP paperwork ( just so I have everything covered.... I'm freeked out if I don't start now and re-read everything 1000 times i'll miss something) I have to wait till Jan 12th when ESD open's up again to request an IFSP meeting and ask for ST AGAIN, for the 100th time, and if they use the excuse that they are short staffed or whatever, I need them to put it in writing for me. That will help w/ getting her private ST w/ her insurance. ST is spendy!! I've also got her a new case worker at the Dev. Disability place who will help me find some program that pays for half (I think). Anything will help right now. Thanks for all your well wishes everyone. This was going to turn ugly but I will prevail w/ no uglyness. I have learned over the years to bite my tounge and skip the "little people on the pole" and go straught to the top if I need something done!! [wink-wink]

[ALLISA]

I agree that what she recieved in EI should have little impact on what she recieves in the public school. Some kids NEVER even recieve EI.....so I wouldn't feel pressured to get the ST for that reason.

But I would feel pressured to get it just for the sake of it !!

Don't worry about being NICE !!! Nice went out the window a long time ago !! You can be POLITE by ALL MEANS !! but, redefine your definition of nice....asking, even demanding a service for your daughter ( who can't stand up for herself and is counting on YOU to do that job) isn't being mean or "un-nice".

I had the SAME battle as you....didn't get ST at first.....what I did was go back to the original case worker who came out to the house to do the intake on us. I told her I was simply diappointed in the services we were receiving. I told her "after being to the DS Clinic hearing their thoughts, speaking with moms of older kids I had learned that ST was a very crucial part of EI and I didn't want to look back 20 years from now and regret not pushing it for Erin. So here I am pushing it now."

Tell the "girls" that you are currnently with that you will be doing this....not that you have any issues with them....but just that you need to be sure Brook is recieveing everything she possibly can and should be getting.

I don't know much about the legal side of it....can't imagine there is anything legally binding about a child with DS recieving speech.....but I do know that if she if she were to be "evaled" and she fell below, then ST would be given....I think pushing for the eval is what you need to do....and ASAP....Politely of course !

Good luck.....Brook is lucky to have you !!