What comes after EI?

[Llyra]

I figured you experienced mamas here in SN might know how to answer my question. My DD2 is four, and I am coming around to realizing that she needs help with her speech. She's got intelligibility issues-- I've heard she should be like 80% intelligible to other adults-- she's not. Every adult involved in her life has commented on it. I guess I've been in denial-- my other DD was a "late talker" who caught up all on her own, and I was expecting the same this time.

I've done EI-- DD1 was 18 months when she was evaluated. But I don't know who to reach out to, since DD2 is too old for EI. She's not in preschool, although she's enrolled to start in the fall. I hate to wait that long. My ped is no help-- she's a die-hard believer in preschool and daycare, and keeps just telling me there's nothing anybody can do if I won't "put her in a center." Is there a resource similar to EI, for kids over 3? I'm in NJ, BTW.

[~cassie]

Some local universities have speech centers. My son goes to one and he has speech from the students and they do a terrific job! Contact the school and see if they can do speech without attending the school. My niece did that from age 3-5.

[melissa17s]

You could get her evaluated by your school district's speech pathologist.  If they can not do it, than ask the ped for a referral to a local speech pathologist for evaluation for therapy.  You could check with your insurance to see, if they have any requirements or preferred providers.  

[PikkuMyy]

You should contact your local school district and find out who is in charge of special education evaluations to request one. They'll do a speech eval to determine whether she is eligible for services through the school.

[Drummer's Wife]

Do you have Child Find in your area?  Here in NM, and when I lived in CO, EI was for 0-3, and Child Find was typically used for 3-5 years.  After that, it was assumed you would get help through your local school district, even if homeschooling (as in, their resources and diagnosticians were available to you). 

[Llyra]

Originally Posted by PikkuMyy 

You should contact your local school district and find out who is in charge of special education evaluations to request one. They'll do a speech eval to determine whether she is eligible for services through the school.

See, that's what I don't understand. Or maybe I'm just being dense. Doesn't she have to go to their school, in order to get services there?

[Drummer's Wife]

Originally Posted by Llyra 

Originally Posted by PikkuMyy 

You should contact your local school district and find out who is in charge of special education evaluations to request one. They'll do a speech eval to determine whether she is eligible for services through the school.

See, that's what I don't understand. Or maybe I'm just being dense. Doesn't she have to go to their school, in order to get services there?

Not necessarily.  The school district you reside in will often extend services to those kids not enrolled there (whether they are too young, or are homeschooling).  Probably b/c tax dollars from your area go to fund that school, yk?

My DS's first speech evaluation was 6 months before he even started pre-k (through Child Find who works with our school district here). 

If you can't get anywhere through the schools or they don't offer you resources for younger children, the idea to call the university is a good one.  Most SLP grad programs have clinics and see clients from the community - either for free or low cost. 

[LoriAtYCT]

Hey there!
 

I'm an SLP, so thought I'd toss this out. Many districts assume responsibility for the 3 to K population because that's part of the IDEA legislation.

Call your local school district's office and let them know that your daughter is in need of speech therapy and ask how those kids are handled. 

However, some districts require a pediatrician's referral (they couldn't accommodate every parent request - they use the doctor to help screen for kids that are truly having problems). But if your pediatrician knows that there are services available maybe she'll go ahead and refer.

However, I feel like I should throw out that 99% of the intervention that's truly helpful for SN kids is done by the caregiver - whether that's a parent or a preschool/daycare center. So I'm not sure why you aren't just as qualified as your local preschool!

Good thoughts for you!!