Where can I get 2.5 y/o evaluated?

[Anonymous]

I've grown increasingly worried that my 2.5 year old daughter might have some behavioral challenges, but I don't know possibly what.

Kiddo has always been a handful -

1. Very picky eater (sometimes barely eats due to stubbornness and at times I just have to feed her otherwise she won't eat),

2. Always fights at bedtime (screaming, sometimes hitting, wakes up in the early morning hours screaming for one of us and occasionally will bang head on the wall/door). Only ever wants to sleep while touching one of us.

3. Doesn't play well with older sibling - hits, headbutts, throws toys, screams, rarely shares

4. Always crying and hanging on me to pick her up. Very difficult for me to try and do anything because I can't have bodily autonomy.

5. Flies into a full tantrum over the simplest things - full body flailing to the ground, kicking legs, hitting arms, screaming. I'm worried she will hit her head and injure herself.

I'm very exhausted after years of this. My older was never like this in any way.

I feel like we need to get an evaluation of some sort but I am completely lost and don't know where to begin.

Not sure if this is all normal anyways or if it sounds like something, and if so, merely curious as to what from experienced parents.

Thank you for reading from a very tired mom 😞

[Anonymous]

Where are you located and how many months old is your daughter?

[Anonymous]

What’s her language like?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where are you located and how many months old is your daughter?

Fauquier Co - she is 2.5 years old

[Anonymous]

Start with ChildFind.

https://www.fcps1.org/about-us/departments/special-education/special-education-process

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What’s her language like?

She can understand us when we speak to her but I think she is a little behind on language development.

She will communicate and most times I can decipher what she's trying to say.

If I look at my older child, there does seem to be a lag in overall speech development. But I also know you shouldn't compare kids.

So it's a little hard for me to say, maybe? 😬

[Anonymous]

You can also try Zero to Three

https://www.itcva.online/

[Anonymous]

Sounds pretty normal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where are you located and how many months old is your daughter?

Fauquier Co - she is 2.5 years old

Child Find Fauquier County Public Schools
540-422-7144 fcps1.org | [e-mail] Child Find is an ongoing process to locate and evaluate children ages 2 (by September 30th) to 21 who are suspected of having a disability and are in need of special education services. If your child is between the ages of 2 (by September 30th) and 5 years, and you have concerns about his/her development, you may call Fauquier County Public Schools at 540-422-7144 to request a free developmental screening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds pretty normal.

Mother of a teen and elementary and preschool teacher. Head banging is not normal behavior by any stretch of the imagination.

[Anonymous]

OP here.

I appreciate the replies!

If we use Child Find, for example, does that mean we need to have her in the public school system?

I homeschool my older and when I had my younger, wanted to do the same.

Not looking to get into a debate over homeschooling, I am just asking a question because I don't know.

[Anonymous]

Search for a BCBA with active status. You can email some people directly from this website, just keep trying until someone replies. Many will make home visits so expand your search range if you have to.

https://www.bacb.com/services/o.php?page=101135

This won’t be the cheapest option but will be the best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

I appreciate the replies!

If we use Child Find, for example, does that mean we need to have her in the public school system?

I homeschool my older and when I had my younger, wanted to do the same.

Not looking to get into a debate over homeschooling, I am just asking a question because I don't know.

No, you are under no obligation to use public schools. But if they find that your child qualifies for special education preschool, then you should seriously consider it - to get the benefit of their expertise (teachers with special education degrees and experience) and to give yourself a break as you say that you are exhausted. Just because you use a special education preschool doesn’t mean that you aren’t able to homeschool at some point. Also, kids with special needs, especially very young ones, are difficult to diagnose because of the wide variation in behavioral norms. You will someone else’s “eyes” on her to see how she acts in different situations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Search for a BCBA with active status. You can email some people directly from this website, just keep trying until someone replies. Many will make home visits so expand your search range if you have to.

https://www.bacb.com/services/o.php?page=101135

This won’t be the cheapest option but will be the best.

Thank you for the information!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

I appreciate the replies!

If we use Child Find, for example, does that mean we need to have her in the public school system?

I homeschool my older and when I had my younger, wanted to do the same.

Not looking to get into a debate over homeschooling, I am just asking a question because I don't know.

No, you are under no obligation to use public schools. But if they find that your child qualifies for special education preschool, then you should seriously consider it - to get the benefit of their expertise (teachers with special education degrees and experience) and to give yourself a break as you say that you are exhausted. Just because you use a special education preschool doesn’t mean that you aren’t able to homeschool at some point. Also, kids with special needs, especially very young ones, are difficult to diagnose because of the wide variation in behavioral norms. You will someone else’s “eyes” on her to see how she acts in different situations.

Thank you, this is very helpful! I appreciate the information!