automatic referral to social services?

[riverview9]

we went to the public elementary school open house. we went last year also because they have fun things for the kids to do. we filled out an "ages and stages questionnaire" and ds didn't do too great last year but did really bad on it this year. they sent someone to the house who did a "bartlet screening" and ds failed on 4 out of 5 categories (cognitive, personal/social, communication and adaptive {passed motor})and was referred to a speech specialist, a psychologist and social services. they said they automatically refer to social services when a kid fails that many categories. i heard this news on friday and have been a WRECK ever since. i scrubbed the house top to bottom but its still not perfect. i have my husband installing new trm right now and i'm making a new garden to spruce up the outside. i think it will hurt me that we are natural/attached parents. our youngest sleeps in bed with me.dh and ds sleep in another room together. my house isn't always spotless because i spend my time sewing clothes, making toys, and just playing with the kids a lot. i don't have tons of time to scrub the place because i don't use the tv as a baby sitter and yes, i am tired out a lot of the time.

dh tells me to calm down but with the stress of social services and finding that ds is officially "special" (i've suspect it for over a year) my nerves are on edge 100% of the time

[eclipse]

Do they mean social services like checking for abuse? They might just mean social services to check to see if you qualify in anyway for any types of benefits or programs they might have. I would try not to worry. You really don't have to talk to them or let them in if you don't want to - but I'd just chat with them and see exactly why they're there.

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by eclipse

Do they mean social services like checking for abuse? They might just mean social services to check to see if you qualify in anyway for any types of benefits or programs they might have. I would try not to worry.

This was my first thought, too. They are most likely there to make sure that your son has access to everything possible, not to check you out!!!!

I've had professionals tell me over and over that DD does as well as she does because we are a loving, involved family. I also feel a little paranoid that someone will think that I'm doing/have done something wrong, but that has NEVER been the case.

I'd lay money they are there to talk about things like speech therapy, if you have health insurance and if you don't to make sure you know about any programs in your state that could benefit your child.

[SoCaliMommy]

I'd assume they ment social services in the term of your son getting more help.

[gothnurse3]

BREATHE!!!! Ok, they are trying to help. My son was "delayed." We went through all kinds of screenings. Different professionals( physical therapists, occupational therapist, speech therapist) came to our home to see HIM. I was nervous...not that we had anything to hid per se but man, that's REALLY personal to show your under belly to a total stranger about your parenting. They asked us questions. Yes, we all sleep in the same 20x20 bedroom by CHOICE. They saw the love we have for our family. If they did any 'research' on us it was clean. Well baby visits documented, any concerns MD had where followed through on by us and documentation sent to MD. The house wasn't spotless. They really focused in on him and then watched him in our natural environment. Which meant they had to go to Nana's house because she watched him while we worked.

In the end they all came together and suggested to go to our pediatrician and start the work up for hearing problems. (Really??? We thought he heard fine) Well, he had a huge hearing deficit. So, he had tubes put in and his adnoids removed. They started speech therapy at our house or Nana's house( depending on work schedules) and it lasted for a year and 1/2. It was amazing and FREE because it was a child. Now he NEVER shuts up and describes things with a much larger vocabulary than other kids his age.

I hope and pray that they can plug in and connect you with the resources to help your LO move past this. Also, the fact that you are not resisting is a big deal. If you had something to hid you would dodge this...not be home, not return phone calls, move...you are a good Mama. Let them help you.

[katsam]

Social Services does not automatically mean child welfare. Social Workers and such do a lot of different things. Good things! Of course I may be biased since I am a social worker. I would assume it would be to help you find resources/support like everyone else stated!
I would not worry about your house unless it was a safety/health hazard.

[2boyzmama]

Don't worry "Social services" just means community aide, not necessarily child protective services. WIC, Medicaid, Early Intervention are all "social services".

FWIW, the social workers working with my son all know that we co-sleep, don't vax, extended breastfeed, and have seen our vegetable garden. No one has batted an eye, in fact in the notes I've often read "very involved family" or "proactive mother" or something like that.

I do feel compelled to clean every time they come though, I just can't help it!

[KatWrangler]

Originally Posted by SoCaliMommy

I'd assume they ment social services in the term of your son getting more help.

This! NOT Child Protective Services.

Breathe, it will be okay. They are trying to help you get assistance for your little one.

[KatWrangler]

Originally Posted by 2boyzmama

Don't worry "Social services" just means community aide, not necessarily child protective services. WIC, Medicaid, Early Intervention are all "social services".

FWIW, the social workers working with my son all know that we co-sleep, don't vax, extended breastfeed, and have seen our vegetable garden. No one has batted an eye, in fact in the notes I've often read "very involved family" or "proactive mother" or something like that.

I do feel compelled to clean every time they come though, I just can't help it!

Same here. We have Parents as Teachers. Teri knows how chaotic my life is. Knows my house isn't spotless. Who has a clean spotless house with three kids?



But she knows how much we love our kids and want the best we can for them.

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by katsam

Social Services does not automatically mean child welfare. Social Workers ....

I hadn't though social services = social workers.

I love the social worker through the school. She's awesome! I really don't know how DD would have gotten throught the past year without her.

[blessedwithboys]

i take it to mean something along the lines of Early Intervention

but hey, at least your house is super clean now!

[katsam]

Originally Posted by Linda on the move

I hadn't though social services = social workers.

I love the social worker through the school. She's awesome! I really don't know how DD would have gotten throught the past year without her.

LOL, I don't either, but I thought maybe that is what the original poster might be thinking. Sometimes everything with the word social in front of it gets lumped into one bundle. Usually the they are going to come take my kids away bundle.
Thanks for calling me on that one.
I'm glad you love your social worker. That's awesome!

[JessicaS]

Originally Posted by blessedwithboys

i take it to mean something along the lines of Early Intervention

but hey, at least your house is super clean now!

I agree, Early Intervention came to my house when my ds had a bit of hypotonia. I also freaked out but they were really only interested in him.

[Polliwog]

I agree with the others. They aren't reporting anything to CPS. But to clarify, your child isn't "officially" anything yet. A screen is just that. It screens for possible delays and problems. The professionals will do actual evaluations to find out what's really going on.