update

[Honeysmom]

I am finally getting somwhere! Our insurance will not cover any of the programs at all I want to take Honey to. There are no out of plan benefits. (HMO's )

Instead I took a different route. I called a social worker, who put me in touch with the Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP.) They are a non-profit group who will evaulate him and dx him, if approiate, and then work with me to get the insurance (state aid) he needs to get help.

After talking to human services I am told that they do not recognize ADHD as a disability (or ODD), but if dx'd that Autism or PDD is a disability. WEAP also will treat him, in home, and what is not covered by insurance will be covered by private grants, state and federal grants, sliding scale fees, and lastly, done for free by volunteer doctor and therapist time.

This is a big step forward so now I am just waiting for the paperwork to arrive. My only concern is that it is a very intense program, they ask that you keep the kids out of public school for a year and they will school them in your home. The social worker at WEAP also said that an evaluation for him is definately in order.

[Linda]

Oh my gosh I am so happy for you that FINALLY you are going forward......keep us updated.

[jdmom]

I'm glad to hear that you are finally getting somewhere! My fingers are crossed!
About the school thing....isn't Honey pretty young? Lots of people hold their kids back (especially boys) 1 year before they start kindergarten if they think they are not ready for school yet. I was thinking that Honey was just about 4 or so, correct me if I'm worng. IMHO, if Honey really is that young, I wouldn't worry about the school thing at all. You've got enough on your plate already without having to get the schools involved (sooo much fun ).
Let us know how the diagnosis turns out. Do you think that he is autistic? Are they going to eval him for autism only or will they be able to diagnose something else? Good luck!

[Amsmom]

Awesome job, Becky!!!!!!!!!! I told you that you are determined and that Honey is lucky to have you as his mom!!!!!!!!! I'm so happy for you. The program sounds fantastic!!

[Honeysmom]

Jdmom, Yes, I do think that he is either Autistic or has PDD, which is a develpomental delay or disorder.

He is only 4, just about 5 now, and he is in school already. Our school district requires (I just found this out last week) that they kids go to school at 4. I don't know if they inforce it, but they do push it really strongly. I don't have a problem taking him out of school if that would be best, the idea just seems drastic. If it helps him I would. I also have no problem holding him back if he needs it. He is in 4K and they generally do not hold kids back at that age, they give them one more year and then hold them back at the end of 5K. Kindergarten is hard in our district, the expectations are very high. By then end of next year he is supposed to know how to read and write. Kindergarten is no longer fun, it is the same a 1st grade here.

They will be able to dx pretty much anything, but they only work with autism, but they will coordinate care with other doctors. It will be interesting to see how this goes.

[Honeysmom]

Thank you Amsmom, you are too sweet!!!

;D

[dansmommy]

Wow, Honeysmom. My niece is 16 and severely autistic, and she's on the Lovaas program, which I think is what they offer in Wisconsin. That program says if you take five year-olds with a diagnosis of autism and use their program, by eleven or so, you wouldn't be able to pick those kids out of a classroom. It would be so worth it if he qualified! It's very intense, but it has research that seems to show that it really works. I hope if he has an appropriate diagnosis that it works for you, because I think it can make such a big difference in a child's life. I wish they had had it when Anna was four, but she's more disabled than your ds anyway -- I don't think she really had any language at five. Christie

[Honeysmom]

That is intersting, I'm going to see if I can find any info on that program.

That is the main reason I am pushing this so much. I am a firm beleiver that early intervention in any mental, physical, or emotional problem in best. Time goes too fast to wait, and if I am wrong, I will be the first one to admit it. If not, then it is good thing I am pushing this.

I am very lucky that I do not think Honey has a severe problem, but a few things do need to be addressed. I hope your neice is doing well. Thanks for the info....Becky

[jdmom]

Wow! I never realized that some schools were making k4 mandatory.
Most schools around here (but not all) offer K4, but it is not required. Is it all day, every day in your district? Some schools around here do all day, some do half day and some do only 3 days a week.
Jarrett attended an all day 3 year old preschool (though after lunch was an hour long nap and then centers and play time) and all day 4K, which was more along the lines of kindergarten. I noticed in kindergarten and 1st grade that he (and my nephew who also did the programs) was more advanced than the other students. So I guess in that way it would be beneficial, but some children are just NOT ready to start school so young, IMHO, especially boys. I put Jarrett in the programs because they were free and had a daycare service which would keep the kids until 5:30, which was also free, and it was a 5 minute drive from my work.

Well, I'm glad that they will be able to help whether the diagnosis is autistic or not. I bet it's like a weight off of your shoulders! Was your hubby happy with the way things turned out, too? I'll bet your hands are just itching to get a hold of that paperwork. Did they say how long it will be before they can get things rolling?

[Honeysmom]

His school is only 2 days a week all day. He acutally is supposed to be in Early Childhood, which meets Tue, Wed, and Thu from 8-1 and all day Friday, but the two classes blend all their time anyway and his teacher (and I) don't want him switched b/c he EC teacher is so overbearing that he is scared of her. Since he has an IEP he can be in either program. Next year is full time 5 days a week.

My DH is actually being really good about this. I sort of did a bad thing last weekend. My sister took both of my kids on Friday and Saturday night just for the fun of it and we went out. I may have had a little too much to drink and ended up giving DH a very teary explaination for my detrmination on this once we were home. I knew exactly what I was saying, a few drinks just made it a little easier, (I was not bombed or anything, just had a little of that false courage) and since I was upset he listened and didn't argue. He also acknowledged that he is at a loss for what to do. I have to be careful b/c he gets defensive towords his little boy really quick. I have to remember to give him time, he only became concerned about these issues recently and if I overwhelm him he'll get protective again. It's taking him a while to accept that all the BS we go through is really for a good cause.

It is going to take a few weeks to get everything going. I spoke to another woman today at an institute close to here today. They kids they take are very severe, but she said that if he is dx'd she would like us to come and see how the school runs so that if he ever needs IEP changes or a 504, I would know some good accomodations to ask for. I thought that was so nice of her. I have hit a streak of good luck with helpful people. I must have done something good for all this good karma?!?!?

[dansmommy]

It sounds like you deserve a little good karma for a change, honeysmom. I made a mistake earlier -- half of autistic kids would appear normal at age 11 if they start Lovaas therapy at age five. Christie

[mctavish23]

Wonderful news! I don't know where ya'll live in Wisc, but the Medical College of Wisconsin has some outstanding programs as well.

I wish you much luck.


mctavish23(Robert)

[finnmom]

Hi Honeysmom
that´s great new´s. i´ll be interested to hear about your resalt´s. let us know!
Good luck!
Marja

[Honeysmom]

I got all of the paperwork today, it is as big as a Bible!! I have my work cut out for me.

The program they use is the Lovaas Program, but the call it a differnt name, I think it was Applied Behavior something.