Hi Everyone,
I'm new...with a quick question: EI has assessed dd as more than 1/3 behind in social/communication skills. She is only 14.5 mos old. Here's what we're seeing:
--taking an interest in other children is debatable...she is attracted to the toys they are holding, but in the kids themselves??
--no pointing (either to show me something or to get something she wants)
--some sharing (just recently)
--no imitating (ex. won't stick out tongue)
--little sep anxiety/stranger anxiety
--not affectionate and doesn't like to be soothed when she hurts herself.
--has a few words, but doesn't always use them correctly.
EI gave us some things to work on with her and will send someone to work with her once a week.
At what point should I get a formal evaluation if I don't see improvement with this social skills? 16 mos? 18 mos? I'm seeing her ped next week for her 15 mos appt and I want to give her a heads up on the path I want to take with this.
Thanks everyone,
I would recommend the local early intervention centers, they evaluate kids and place them where they think its best for them . she is 14 months, so you can get speech therpay or aba at home before she ages out at 3 from these services. but some centers take kids starting at age 2 ,which she is closer to that and would help her a lot! Then ask your ped. to refer to develop. ped. so you can get your full dx by then. You just need to request an eval through your areas early intervention. They have to follow through in , I think, 30 days. Then, you can find a good dev. ped. in your area. Those appts. have months long wait lists, so get on it now. I would do both, IMO.I agree, ask now. The sooner you can get services started the better.Maybe I didn't use the correct wording:
she's already been evaluated by Early Intervention who will provide 1x per week services.
I'm trying to find out when I should try to get a more formal diagnosis for her. I understand that Early Intervention doesn't diagnose.
They can do an EDUCATIONAL dx on her, but not a MEDICAL dx. If you have any suspicion I would go to a ped psychologist/psychiatrist to start the paperwork. The younger the better. See about getting a referral to a developmental pediatrician. That's probably the next step in getting a "formal" diagnosis.