new here | Autism PDD

Hi everyone,

I can't believe i just found this message board !!

I am a single mother of 3, two are autistic . one's 8 and one's 3 yrs. old.

How do we make it through the day's? I guess we just do we don't have a choice.

I'm still in the process of getting my 8 yr. old one on one speech in the school system, been two yrs.

anyone have any ideas?

How do you hold a JOB?

lOTS ON MY MIND WON'T OVER DO MYSELF.

 

To get 1:1 speech therapy, it depends on the needs of your child.  For instance, does your child mainly need help with social skills (which would require a group setting), or does he need more intense speech and language treatment (ie, producing speech sounds, labeling items, answering questions, formulating responses appropriate in length, etc).  Hope that helps!

My son has always been denied speech through the school system. None of the doctors or private therapist can understand it. We have been fighting for it for 5 years, still nothing. The finally agreed to 10min. of OT a week. Can you guess what I told them they could do with the10min.? 

If you come up with an answer on how to get the ST, please let me know.

What was the school system's reasoning (specifically speech and language) as to why your child doesn't need speech?  I am a speech-language pathologist working within the school systems, and most all of the children that I see who are on the spectrum receive or have received speech and language services at one time or another.  There have been very few cases that did not receive services with me, but that was because at the time, they were presenting as appropriate.  I usually kept them on consult basis so that when the time came and they needed direct services again, they could go right back on.   Your son currently receiving private speech & language treatment, yes?  What types of things are they working on (if you don't mind me asking)? 

Hi Ames and welcome. My son was in the school system (iep) for two yrs. before they relized the doctors note stating he was autistic before he recieved speech therapy!! He is getting speech now but it is a group session where the other kids are talking except two of them they do karoke and my son is in the corner standing on his head and they call that speech therapy ??? Hello  wake up !!!

I'am not done fighting for one on one but they keep on denying me saying he don't have a speech problem cuz he don't talk. My son use to talk at the age 1 1/2 so i know he can talk he just has this autism holding him back lol

I just want to make sure I understand - - - the school system is telling you that he doesn't have a speech problem because he doesn't talk?  If he doesn't talk, that IS a speech and/or language problem!

In defense of group therapy, more often than not the therapist has a method behind the madness, even if it looks crazy (although I can't speak for your son's therapist).  The singing (I think you mentioned karaoke?) could possibly be for desensitization, predictable/repetitive phrases, turn-taking, eye contact, cause/effect, slowing speech, reducing echolalia....or many more things!  She also might do it as a motivator if the kids in the group really like to sing! 

One idea to help with things is have a communication journal that goes from home to school and back to log the therapies your child receives.  If you choose to do this, have it put into your son's IEP - - - - this way the log has to be completed!  The therapist can write down what was targeted, how he/she was able to target the goal, and how your son did.  She could also put some home ideas in there for you.  This way, you can really help with carryover of skills.  If you are already doing this, I apologize. 

As for the 1:1 services, again, it depends upon your child's specific needs at the present time.  If you are seriously questioning the school district's decision to only allow group therapy, you might want to consider getting a second opinion/outside evaluation.  Be prepared to pay for this yourself or through insurance, as chances are the school system will not cover this (especially if he is currently receiving speech and language through the district). 

How does your son communicate with others?  With you?  Does he point, gesture, use signs or vocalizations (grunts, yells, etc.), lead you to what he wants, use a device or pictures to help him and others know what he wants or needs?  All of these things need to be considered by qualified professionals/team members, and especially by speech-language pathologists. 

Did any of that help??
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