early intervention

[BIGJAVSMOM]

NJ EIP seems to be feeding me some b.s.
Javier with one paralyzed arm- no function at all, may not qualify for OT because he is not cognitvely delayed. He walked "on time" and gets around well for his age. Ummm- I thought OT was also used to teach people how to function with a disability. He only goes to Shriner's once a week and I feel like he should be having more therapy. He is only 6months post- primary. What to do, what to do? I guess I could try to get more sessions at Shriners. I will ask Dr. Kozin what he thinks.

Marlyn

Any EIP or NJ EIP tales or advice are appreciated.

[TNT1999]

I think you should still fight to get the EI. Have they done an eval. yet? How can they make a determination w/o a full eval.? Although he can walk, did he crawl?...

http://ubpn.org/messageboard/thread ... hread=1233

~Tina

[TNT1999]

Sorry, I must've backspaced over the last number on the link I posted above. This s/b the correct link.

http://ubpn.org/messageboard/thread ... read=12332

[tcon]

sometimes erb's palsy or bpi automatically qualifies a child. other times neurological impairment(which BPI falls under) is an automatic qualification (I went thru this with CT Birth to three and NY EI) get a list of automatic qualifications and start there. Most case managers are not aware of all the different names so make sure they know that Erb's Palsy is a classification of BPI and as always, be prepared for a fight.

[BIGJAVSMOM]

thank you both- his eval is scheduled for 9/2. I will definately let you know hpw it goes.

Marlyn

[tcon]

i just reviewed my notes...it is not neurological impairment but rather spinal cornd injuries (at least in NY) that are automatically eligible and a BPI is considered a spinal cord injury. The problem we ran into was they didnt know erb's palsy was BPI

[katep]

I second the recommendation to not use BPI but instead "Erb's Palsy". EP is the term most case workers are aware of. When we originally called, the person I talked to didn't think we qualified when I called it a Brachial Plexus Injury but instantly said, "Oh, yes... Erb's Palsy qualifies". Urgh.

Kate

[blades]

This exact same thing happened last week. EI from our school district sent a PT out, and after her visit she said Ava wouldn't qualify because developmentally she is not behind. I told her that Ava's other abilities weren't in question but asked if BPI would or should be an automatic qualification. She said no!!! I was so mad, so far Ava has not had any formal PT or OT except for our monthly visits to Gillette and that has only been 3 times!! Ava is 5 months old and we go back to Gillette on Tuesday for her 2nd EMG to determine if she needs surgery. I don't know what we should do?? I keep reading posts about babies who have seen PT/OT since birth?! I don't know where to go from here..... Tara

[BIGJAVSMOM]

OK- I found my argument if I should need it after the eval. I got the EIP paperwork in the mail just now and according to their words, Javier is behind in 3 areas. To qualify it needs to be at least 33% delayed in one or any % in more than one area. His are of course 1.self-help 2.fine motor 3. sensory. Why they are sending a speech therapist also is beyond me. Even if he was delayed in speech, could you really really tell at 1?


MArlyn
keep your fingers crossed

[TNT1999]

Marlyn, when Nicole had her first EI eval. at a 2 months old, they sent a PT and an ST. I think it's b/c 2 therapists typically go out to do the eval. and one of them is also a service coordinator and I think I recall being told that the svc. coordinators are usually STs. Also, the ST was checking out Nicole for other issues, such as any feeding / sucking problems. As far as could they tell if there's a speech delay at age 1, yes, I believe they can. I know of some babies with BPI that qualified for svcs partly due to speech delays. So, if you do findout that Javier has a speech delay, try to look at the bright side of it -- at least he will get the PT and / or OT svcs he needs for his BPI and he will also be getting the ST svcs to help with speech if he needs it. I'm sure you'd rather it be the BPI directly that gets him qualified, but the most important thing really is for him to get svcs. Right? I've also heard some parents say that they believe their child's speech was delayed b/c they were concentrating so much on developing the delayed gross and fine motor skills. That, however, has not been the case with Nicole as she was always quite advanced in the area of speech. Whenever anyone compliments her on her speech skills, I tell them that she gets a lot of practice. LOL! Keep us posted.

~Tina, bpmom@comcast.net