I swear one day I will write about something else, but hey, at least I'm writing something, right?
Lincoln had his evaluation with Early Start last Friday. Early Start is the California version of Early Intervention in Utah. I've been trying to get him in for an evaluation since March! Last week I got a letter stating that due to budget cuts our services may be cut, and I laughed. Seriously, they can't call me to set up an evaluation to get services, but they can send me a letter stating that my services may be cut. Anyhow, the very next day I got a call to schedule an appointment, and the appointment was three days later. I guess once they actually call you back it goes pretty fast.
Lincoln started the appointment out with one of his typical spectacular fits, but much to my surprise, he only screamed for about 5 minutes. Then he amazed me by how well he did. He did everything that the ladies asked him to do. He talked to them. He even did a few things that I've NEVER seen him do before like draw a circle and a straight line and stack six blocks. I was amazed how well it was going! After an hour one lady started tallying up the results while another talked to me about Lincoln and explained what exactly their budget cuts meant. In the past to qualify for their services a child had to either have a 25% delay in three areas or a 50% delay in one area. Now they have to have a 50% delay in 2 areas, and 25% delays count for nothing. Thank you huge California deficit! While she was explaining this I just kept thinking, "Great, Lincoln did so well that he isn't going to qualify for help."
Then came the results. Their test has 8 categories. He tested "competent" in two categories, 'gross motor', and 'relationship to inanimate objects.' "Competent" being at a 30-33 month level, he will be 34 months tomorrow. Surprising he was "borderline" in language/communication. Shocking since that was the main reason that I thought he needed to be evaluated. Apparently that is the least of his issues. However, the evaluator told me that the nature of their tests rated him higher than he should be in language because it rates overall language. He understands everything, he just doesn't talk much. He tested at a 25% delay in four areas; 'fine motor,' 'self help,' 'emotions and feelings,' and 'coping behavior.' Although I fail to see how a 34 month old child testing at the developmental stage of a 15-18 month old is a 25% delay. Simple math says that is more than 25%, in fact, it seems much closer to 50% to me... but I digress. His lowest score was 'relations to persons' where his developmental age was 13-15 months- his 50% score (although clearly that is greater than 50%).
Much to my surprise, their biggest concern was his "extreme rage." Seriously, those were the words they used. I mean, I know his screaming for hours when he doesn't get his way isn't exactly normal, but I had never thought of it that way. They also agreed with me that he seems to have some tactile issues and would benefit from some therapy there.
So, where do we go from here? They aren't sure if he will qualify for services with them, since he wasn't officially 50% behind in more than one area, they called in inconclusive, and someone else will go over his results and decide. The good news is that he is almost 3. Once he is 3 he will graduate from this program and move to the preschool program through the school district, and unless some miracle happens in the next two months he WILL qualify for that. They also want him to see a pediatric psychologist. Yep, the "A" word was discussed once again... autism. I go back and forth on that one myself, but since this is now the 4th specialist to suggest that he has sound indicators, I'm just glad that he is finally being referred to someone who can actually say yes or no. He was supposed to have another evaluation with a pediatric behavior specialist tomorrow. That was scheduled even before this last appointment was, but apparently his doctor is sick, and it was rescheduled for Sept 11. They don't want to schedule his appointment with the psychologist until after he has seen the behavior specialist, so now we are just waiting on that.
Although that was hard to hear as a mom, in a way I'm glad. I am so sick and tired of hearing, "He's just a boy," or "He'll grow out of it," or "He's just stubborn." I'm ready for someone to help him.
Lincoln had his evaluation with Early Start last Friday. Early Start is the California version of Early Intervention in Utah. I've been trying to get him in for an evaluation since March! Last week I got a letter stating that due to budget cuts our services may be cut, and I laughed. Seriously, they can't call me to set up an evaluation to get services, but they can send me a letter stating that my services may be cut. Anyhow, the very next day I got a call to schedule an appointment, and the appointment was three days later. I guess once they actually call you back it goes pretty fast.
Lincoln started the appointment out with one of his typical spectacular fits, but much to my surprise, he only screamed for about 5 minutes. Then he amazed me by how well he did. He did everything that the ladies asked him to do. He talked to them. He even did a few things that I've NEVER seen him do before like draw a circle and a straight line and stack six blocks. I was amazed how well it was going! After an hour one lady started tallying up the results while another talked to me about Lincoln and explained what exactly their budget cuts meant. In the past to qualify for their services a child had to either have a 25% delay in three areas or a 50% delay in one area. Now they have to have a 50% delay in 2 areas, and 25% delays count for nothing. Thank you huge California deficit! While she was explaining this I just kept thinking, "Great, Lincoln did so well that he isn't going to qualify for help."
Then came the results. Their test has 8 categories. He tested "competent" in two categories, 'gross motor', and 'relationship to inanimate objects.' "Competent" being at a 30-33 month level, he will be 34 months tomorrow. Surprising he was "borderline" in language/communication. Shocking since that was the main reason that I thought he needed to be evaluated. Apparently that is the least of his issues. However, the evaluator told me that the nature of their tests rated him higher than he should be in language because it rates overall language. He understands everything, he just doesn't talk much. He tested at a 25% delay in four areas; 'fine motor,' 'self help,' 'emotions and feelings,' and 'coping behavior.' Although I fail to see how a 34 month old child testing at the developmental stage of a 15-18 month old is a 25% delay. Simple math says that is more than 25%, in fact, it seems much closer to 50% to me... but I digress. His lowest score was 'relations to persons' where his developmental age was 13-15 months- his 50% score (although clearly that is greater than 50%).
Much to my surprise, their biggest concern was his "extreme rage." Seriously, those were the words they used. I mean, I know his screaming for hours when he doesn't get his way isn't exactly normal, but I had never thought of it that way. They also agreed with me that he seems to have some tactile issues and would benefit from some therapy there.
So, where do we go from here? They aren't sure if he will qualify for services with them, since he wasn't officially 50% behind in more than one area, they called in inconclusive, and someone else will go over his results and decide. The good news is that he is almost 3. Once he is 3 he will graduate from this program and move to the preschool program through the school district, and unless some miracle happens in the next two months he WILL qualify for that. They also want him to see a pediatric psychologist. Yep, the "A" word was discussed once again... autism. I go back and forth on that one myself, but since this is now the 4th specialist to suggest that he has sound indicators, I'm just glad that he is finally being referred to someone who can actually say yes or no. He was supposed to have another evaluation with a pediatric behavior specialist tomorrow. That was scheduled even before this last appointment was, but apparently his doctor is sick, and it was rescheduled for Sept 11. They don't want to schedule his appointment with the psychologist until after he has seen the behavior specialist, so now we are just waiting on that.
Although that was hard to hear as a mom, in a way I'm glad. I am so sick and tired of hearing, "He's just a boy," or "He'll grow out of it," or "He's just stubborn." I'm ready for someone to help him.
3 comments:
Autism and Aspergers are the new catch-all phrases now. It really means that they do not know what's wrong and are tossing them in some category just so they have a classification. Yes, there are classic symptoms, but if you don't feel that Lincoln is autistic, then he probably isn't. They said Marian has Aspergers. No, she doesn't. She has some language disorder going on, but she does not have Aspergers. You can accept the label and get the services, or you can fight it and demand they look deeper. Both have benefits and downfalls. I have not done anything either way. I'm waiting to see how much of an issue it might be with school. My feeling is, you are the mom. You know your child. You are entitled to inspiration and revelation and answers from the Lord. You are a good mom and the best advocate for your kid. Not much fun sometimes, but there's no one better qualified than you!
Sorry, that's my high horse. I'm glad you got an initial evaluation. It at least gives you a starting point and you can see how well he is (or isn't) doing. Good luck!
I'm glad you where able to get an evaluation, regardless of if he does or does not have Autism I"m sur it would be helpful for you to know how to help him with his anger. So I'm curious though how come you didn't go through balboa? Because he could get free therapy through a therapy service outside of the military for free. Good luck, I'm sorry this has been such a problem for you.
His appointment with Balboa is next week. I started with this because when we were in Utah his miltary doctor referred us to Early Intervention, and had it not taken so long to get in, his services should have transfered without having to get another evaluation. But since this was taking so long I took him to his ped to get a referal that way months ago, and we are just now being seen at Balboa.
Sharon, does Drew get his speech therapy at Balboa? Who does he see? Lincoln is seeing Doctor White, and I've heard both good and bad things about him.
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