I am currently trying to get a screening for my 2 yr old with a speech delay through my local service provider for my state's Child Find program. I was given the Head Start program telephone number and have left a message for the person I was told to call. I am not optimistic that this is going to get me very far as most of my school district lives in poverty according to federal poverty guidelines, and we do not. I know they keep a small amount of spots open for kids with disabilities but I also know my older child could not get into the public preschool program on the need for speech therapy alone. I'm not even looking for head start, just a screening and therapy services.
I am under the impression this is how I need to go about it, as my kids' PCM (a civ. ped.) is the one who told me to call Child Find.
Since I am not optimistic on what will result from this, I am in the meantime trying to find out if this is something I could also go through Military One Source, or the Family Services Center on base, or even Tricare (but since my kids ped referred me to the program I am not sure what else Tricare would do).
I am going to wait to see what the state program says before I pursue alternate options. He definitely has a significant delay (he spent the last 6 mos healing from a ruptured eardrum from a rapid-onset ear infection - I had no idea he was even sick til he had the fluid coming out of his ear) and I am working on it at home, but I'd like a professional to work with him and I'd rather not wait til he turns 3, because we will be moving shortly after that.
Our son was born with obvious physical handicaps, later attributed to a genetic condition. Regardless of income, that made him eligible for our state early intervention program for children under age 3. THe state programs vary wildly by state. We have an early interventionist come out to our home weekly-she has a special needs child of her own and had bluntly advised us that moving to just about any state north of FL would get him better services.
However, Tricare has been really wonderful for us. We got a referral for Speech therapy (for feeding issues) from our PCM. We found the best private therapy office nearby & made an appointment for an evaluation. The same office also offered PT and OT evaluations and services. We now get weekly therapy services, all covered by Tricare. If we had pursued it through the state program, it would have been at least a 6 month wait for services. You may have to ask around with other moms, the special education program int he local school system or even a nearby university but see if you can get recommendations for a private place to evaluate your child, instead of waiting. In my experience, the programs change after age 3 as well.
You may want to call Tricare but they've told me if the PCM gives you a referral for medically necessary care/therapy, they will cover it-they have a great reputation with our providers. And it will hopefully go much faster than being in the state program.Good luck.
I guess my game plan is if I can't get the county/school district (the school district told me they don't handle the under 3 kids and sent me to Head Start) to do the screening, I will go back to the Pediatrician and ask for a referral (and I think I will ask the SLP at our elem school who works with my 6yo if she knows anyone local she would recommend so I can go to the ped with a name).
Hm - just thought of something - maybe I will ask the SLP how to access the early intervention (Child Find) program if I can't get anywhere with the Head Start people.
