I am at my wits end with our school district here. I have been trying for 6 months to get my 3 year old daughter, who has a cleft palate, evaluated for preschool/speech therapy here. I have been told that they will evaluate her, but it may not be until next year. However, after her well check by her pediatrician, he estimates that she is at least a year, if not more, behind in her speech and feels that if we don't get her into a program soon, that she will not be able to keep up when she gets to kindergarten. So, my question is, are there any other programs out there that I can put her into that would help? Our health insurance will not cover speech therapy, as well as her hearing tests, so if there is a program that does those, without charging an arm and a leg ( we aren't that well off, but do decently) I would appreciate any help. Nothing I've said to the school district will help. I feel that our only other choice would be to move to another district, but we have a lease that we can't get out of just yet.
Note: I didn't include this, but I also have a cleft palate, and went through a similar program in Iowa, and I have consulted my mom, who said that I was in a special ed program- hence my speech therapist, so I know that there are some programs out there.
I really recommend Arlington Ped. Therapy. ###-###-#### (I don't know where you are, though.) They are great! Maybe you can ask them for help if you can't go there. I know that they have financial assistance available.
Good luck!
Your daughter is to old for Early Intervention, but call them anyway to see if they can tell you who in your school district you should be speaking to ###-###-####). They might be able to assist you with that. I would also call the Superintendent of your school and demand that your child be seen. That should get the ball rolling.
First of all, yes call the school district and demand that your child be evaluated. Having a cleft palate should automatically get her into the program. My son went through the Oswego school district program for speech and he is now in first grade and is speaking perfectly! The teachers there are amazing!
Second, if for some reason that doesn't work. There is state funding. My husband and I made under $80,000 a year and we paid $50 a month for speech therapy. We were able to go to a private speech therapist and we also had insurance that didn't cover it. I believe if you call DCFS they can refer you to the right agancy! Best of luck!
Well my response is just about the same as the previous person's, but it should be encouraging. If a parent requests an evaluation the school district has 60 days to comply. That even applies during the summer, so they will have special summer teams to evaluate children.
I'm not sure if the rules apply the same way for ages 3-5, but I would assume so since at age 3 it still becomes the responsibility of the school district.
You may want to call your local head start program (CFC etc.). Even though your child is older, they could probably still hook you up with a parent liason or someone that could help you with getting the ball rolling with your school district. Good luck!
I agree that you should contact the superintendent, and if that doesn't work, call the State Board of Education and ask how to lodge a complaint. Unfortunately, the squeaky wheel gets the grease, and if the district doesn't help, but know they can face repercussions from the state for not following the law, they may tend to respond better. I believe they are required to evaluate your child as close to 3 years old as possible. Was your child in Early Intervention? It's too late now, but that's really the easiest way to go if anyone else is in a similar situation.
I would also recommend Arlington Pediatric Therapies. They work with many insurances, and have been wonderful.
I would go take to the Superintendent or the school board, by law they have to provide the services for her. Just keep going and keep pushing for it. Call, visit, sit, in the office and wait thats the only way that you will get it taken care of. There should be no reason for you to have to wait a year for it.
Hi A.,
I am a preschool teacher in Naperville and I have a daughter who currently receives therapy through EI. Although she does not receive Speech therapy, I thought that I could help you. When did you move here? Has your daughter ever had any therapy through Early Intervention? And what school district are you living in? All of these questions might help me a little. If your daughter is already 3 and was receiving therapy through EI (Early Intervention) then she should be able to get services right now through the school district. The EI coordinator should do this for you. If she has not received any therapy through EI then you should call the preschool in your district--if you need a phone # just let me know. They will sign you up for a screening--I would also mention what your doctor said and bring along something in writing about her condition. It really shouldn't be this stressful for you--I am sorry that it has been. I do know a lot of speech path. that are wonderful and I am sure they would see your daughter. However, since the services should be free right now I would call the school first. Let me know the answers to the questions and maybe I can try to help you more.
K.
____@____.com
If you're a resident in the State of Illinois then you can get your child evaluated for free up to the age of 5. It's through the Illinois Departement of Human Services, "Look What I Can Do" program. It's an early intervation program and the evalutions are at no charge to you. If, after the evaluation, they feel that therapy is needed (speech, physical, development or occupational) then they find the right therapist for you in your area and charge you according to your income level and insurance coverage. Here is their Springfield information but if you send me your zip code, I can give you the number to the local office nearest you.
Illinois Department of Human Services
Bureau of Early Intervention
222 South College, 2nd Floor
Springfield, IL 62704
###-###-####
email address: ____@____.com
web: www.dhs.state.il.us/ei
My son is a part of "look what I can do" program. He is 24 months and has beenseeing 3 different therapist for about 4 months now. They bill you on a sliding scale (very reasonable) It has been such a wonderful experience. I highly encourage you to call. My Dr recommended it ( 1-800-323-GROW) I'm so sorry more Dr's are not aware of this fantastic program. Good luck. Please let me know if you have any questions. Good Luck
You may want to check with Easter Seals in your area. Below is the link for the DuPage area. http://dfvr.easterseals.com
They have programs for children that require speech therapy and will do an evaluation and may help or cover the cost based on the results of the evaluation. My understanding is the evaluation is free.
I know several people who have or are using them and it seems to be a great service.
Good luck.
Once a child has been identified, the school district has a legal obligation to test and evaluate that child for services within a certain amount of time (I believe that it is 60 school days, but the regulations changed recently, so I don't know that for sure anymore). You might want to contact attorney Jill Dressner at the Special Ed Advocacy Center at http://www.specialedadvocacycenter.org/ . The Special Ed Advocacy Center is a non-profit organization that provides free legal services to caregivers trying to get appropriate special ed services for their kids. The last that I heard, she didn't charge anything for the service, but asks for a donation if and when you can give one. Jill is wonderful, is not an "obnoxious attorney" with you or the school district. She is very level-headed, clear, and calm. I cannot recommend her highly enough. Good luck.
Sorry you are having a problem. I don't have any recommendations for you- I just wanted to let you know that I was born with cleft palate also. I took speech therapy for years and now no one can tell I ever had an issue. My oral surgeon who specializes in cleft palate surgury was very surprised that I had a cleft palate (of course he knew when he looked in my mouth :)) I hope that makes you feel better!
I am also from Iowa:)
I don't know what school district you are in, but I'm stunned that you are having this kind of problem. I've found that the couple of school districts my family has had experience with have all been incredibly well organized in the area of special services. Are you certain that you are speaking with the appropriate office/ people in the administration? We live in District 203, and my daughter had been receiving special services through Early Intervention, which runs out at age 3 and then you transition into the school district. The EI person and the 203 person coordinated with eachother, 203 contacted me about the evaluation, and everything was set up so that my daughter actually began a 203 pre-school program on her 3rd birthday and received therapies (speech, PT, OT) in the preschool classroom setting. This area is so huge right now that most districts have special people designated for this role. Plus, districts know that people are moving in and out of the district all the time so they are set up for evaluations and funny start dates. Don't give up!!! If you aren't sure that you're talking to the right place, try the super's office, or ask your pediatrician who to call, or even call Easter Seals of DuPage (if you're in DuPage) and ask them who to call since they handle these transitions all the time. Your tax dollars are paying for this so get what you're paying for! If for some reason, the district really can't squeeze you in, I'm pretty sure that they are required by law to provide the speech therapy she needs elsewhere. (private place or another school.)
Hi A., I really cant add anymore information that hasnt been giving other then( see below) , Your local school district has a resonbilitly to your daughter . ILL has a no child left behind policy created by the governor so because of this your school district has 60dys from you request to evaulate your daughter . Im not sure what area your from but I live in district 84 Franklin Park and thier program is call the Lasec's program . Also you can try to have her evaulate at Luther General they have a program ( ped therapy center 847*723*4532 )however it can be a bit expensive and you need a Dr's referral. Good Luck and if you need any futher info just shoot me a e-mail .
