communication with regional center and how to get rid of it

[trus]

Hello!
We did an evaluation for our son with regional center when he was about 18 months old. We speak 3 languages in he house, and maybe that's why he wasn't talking then. THey recommended for us to attend a class and possible speech therapy for DS, although they weren't sure because DS was too young then.

However, our ped told us to wait until the child is 2 y o. THe other day I talked to a mom whose kid has been receiving speech therapy for the past 6 months. He talks a lot now! It made me call regional center and tell them that I don't want to wait until my son is 2 y o, and I would like for him to receive one-on-one speech therapy now.

THey told me that my private insurance would have to cover it. I called the insurance to find out how much it would be, and they said at least $40 a class if regional center is in network. Well, I don't want it then, I'd rather so something else, like SOn-RIse.

But the guy at regional center told me that they could offer a class for us, parents, (again!) that is from 6-8 pm for about 8 weeks. Also, they could video our interaction with DS and then comment on how we could improve it. I said yes, but now I think I don't want it. THey would have to come to or house for another eval because it's been 6 months since the previous one, and then do another eval, a speech one, and then video us and bla-bla-bla. And all that just for that 8-week class that either me or my husband would have to take after a tiring day of work. I don't want it! How could I say no to them? I tried saying no in a polite from, but our case worker said that he had got the funding for that class already and we need to do an update anyway because it's been 6 months now. SO they are coming to our house next week! How could I say no to it and stop working with them at all? WHat should I say so that they wouldn't report me to CPS?

THnak you very much!

[APToddlerMama]

I used to work in EI and now my son is in it as well. I also used to work in child welfare. It is incredibly unlikely that they would report you to CPS for refusing speech therapy services and even more unlikely that CPS would do anything but hang up the phone and laugh. Is the program called "Hanen"? I am guessing this is the tool they are using, and if so, it is actually a really good program. Three months after starting the classes, about half of the kids whose parents took this no longer needed speech therapy. They video tape you so they can review it with you and point out things to change in your communication. It is slightly invasive, but it can have great results. If you'd rather have traditional speech therapy though, you have the right to request that too. Early Intervention is almost always in a kid's best interest so I'd go for it if I were in your shoes.

[trus]

Thank you for your reply APToddlerMama!
Surprisingly, my husband became interested in it, too, and told me he is willing to be in the house when they come and have DS and him videotaped and then get the feedback. So I guess we'll go for it, hopefully, it will get DH more involved. At least that would be a good outcome.

WHat is EI? I don't know how the prgram is called, but I will find out.

Also, you mentioned 3 months, however, the class for parents in only 8-weeks-long, that's why I was sceptical about it.

As for traditional speech theraphy, we are talkign about a one-on-one class for my son, right? we can only have it if we go throught the insurance, which means we'll have to pay out of our pocket as well.

[elmh23]

Where do you live?

In the US, EI stands for Early Intervention. I don't understand why they won't do one-on-one therapy. My ds has been in a 1-1 program since 16 months (he's finally transitioning to the public school in August.)

[trus]

Since 16 months? Don't they usually get a ped approval for that? I know peds are very reluctant to recommend it bfore 2 y o.

THey will do a 1-1 program, if WE pay for it.

[elmh23]

Nope. Early Intervention is a state thing. They do take our insurance numbers and the state has a deal with them that they have to pay a one time fee of like $300 to the state, it's a state law. I didn't even tell our doc until we were already getting services.

Where do you live? If you're in the states and post where you live (or pm me) we could help you find some local services.

[trus]

I just received 2 letters from our Regional Center. The first one is Appointment confirmation for Ongoing - Individual Family Service Plan: "During our meeting, I will be asking you questions about ... health during the past 6 months. Please have available the names and addresses of the local doctors that he has seen. I would alsi like you to share your concerns regarding Eli as well as his strenths, and your experience with the service providers."

It sounds like an interrogtion to me!!!!

[trus]

The second letter: "please find a copy of the schedule for "It takes Two to Talk, a Hanen Program." The orientation meeting occurs on Tuesday from 6 - 8 pm. I look forward to discussing the program when I see you for the Individual/Family Service Plan meeting. The regional center is now required by law for speech therapy services to be obtained through private insurance companies. The Hanen Program is a parent training program which the regional center is allowed to fund for families."

I live in the West Coast, if it helps.)Thank you for your help!

[elmh23]

Originally Posted by trus

It sounds like an interrogtion to me!!!!

In a sense, it is. But in reality it goes like this-

health problems?
easy delivery?
what's he good at?
what does he need help with?

I know nothing about Hanen except our SLP isn't a huge fan.


CA- http://www.dds.ca.gov/earlystart/
OR- http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/results/?id=252
WA- http://www.del.wa.gov/

Is the agency you're in contact with one of the ones listed on those sites (under providers or contractors)?

[trus]

Originally Posted by elmh23

I know nothing about Hanen except our SLP isn't a huge fan.

Really? Why?

I'll check the links right now, thank you!

As for all those questions, we have already answered them during the eval.)))That's why it is becoming a little annoying now.

I spoke to a mom whose child receives 1-1 services, and she lied to them she didn't have any insurance to get it for free.

[elmh23]

Originally Posted by trus

Really? Why?

No clue. Hanen isn't really offered here but she worked with it in another state briefly and just preferred the one on one.

I wonder if your state has a partnership w/ the health insurance companies to make sure all children who need EI get it? Mine does (we're a very poor and rural state.) I'm sorry they're giving you the run around!

[trus]

Originally Posted by elmh23

No clue. Hanen isn't really offered here but she worked with it in another state briefly and just preferred the one on one.

yeah, I prefer that as well, but oh well...

Originally Posted by elmh23

No clue. I wonder if your state has a partnership w/ the health insurance companies to make sure all children who need EI get it? Mine does (we're a very poor and rural state.) I'm sorry they're giving you the run around!

I will call them tomorrow and ask, but I can see they prefer to work with people who lie to them (read my prev post)))

Thank you for your participation!

[APToddlerMama]

Hanen really is a good program with really good results (at least where I worked). As far as all the questions, they are just trying to stick with a strengths based, family centered approach...all kind of "best practice" and research based. Its pretty much what everyone in these programs does, plus they want to screen for anything that would provide clues to why a child has a delay (birth history, medical issues, etc). It really isn't just to be nosey! Trust me...when you see 30 families a week, they start to look all the same and not that interesting anyhow!

[trus]

Somebody has told me today that I should try with a regional center in a different county. This time I should not tell them I hae insurance. She promised to give me their phone number. WHat do you think?

How exactly does 1-1 work? That lady's son is talking pretty much non-stop now. He stands out in the class where we both take our sons.

[APToddlerMama]

Originally Posted by trus

Somebody has told me today that I should try with a regional center in a different county. This time I should not tell them I hae insurance. She promised to give me their phone number. WHat do you think?

How exactly does 1-1 work? That lady's son is talking pretty much non-stop now. He stands out in the class where we both take our sons.

What state do you live in? Your county should be legally obligated to provide you with services regardless of your insurance. Their loop-hole may be that the service they are offering you is Hanen. If your son is still considered to have a speech delay after Hanen, however, they would be required to offer you additional services which at that point would probably mean 1 on 1.

Speech therapy is great, but if your friend's son is suddenly talking, there is probably more to it that some good weekly sessions. One hour a week isn't going to do anything for a kiddo if the parents can't follow through on all the tools the speech therapists use the rest of the week. That is one of the major reasons that Hanen is typically so successful...because it is truly the parents and not the speech therapists who are going to make the difference for their kids. Hanen teaches you the tools that the SLPS use so you can use them more than the hour a week your SLP sees your kid. In your friend's case, her kiddo also may have been a true "late-talker" who would have started speaking without any intervention...or maybe the parents really used the tools they learned from 1 on 1. I have heard speech therapists, including my son's, bash the Hanen program. I think part of this has to do with the fact that they have fewer clients when kids are successful in this program (some SLPS....not all..not trying to generalize). I can't imagine why else they wouldn't like it because statistically speaking, it is a very successful program for many children.

I am really not trying to de-value what speech therapists do or say that it all has to do with the parents. Despite having worked in EI myself, when my son turned two, he was still at a 6-9 month old level expressively. I have also worked with two speech therapists whose own kiddos have had some pretty significant speech delays. Sometimes no matter what the parents and SLPs are doing, the kids just struggle. I love having a speech therapist work with my son so that I can bounce ideas off her and get her expertise. That said, Hanen really is a good way for parents to get an excellent head start and some great tools for working with their kids. And...it is only 8 weeks long so it isn't like you'll be wasting years in the program if you don't find it helpful. Good luck!