should i seek occupational therapy for my seven year old through the school or private setting

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At least in MCPS you cannot get an IEP solely for OT because it is a related service only. You have to first qualify for a primary special education service like resource or speech, and only then can you get OT.

I don't think that's true. We got OT and not speech initially. We got speech a year later.

[Anonymous]

In FCPS, I understand it is very difficult to get OT services. Pursue both school and private OT.

[Anonymous]

i have heard of a 504 plan. if i get OT services privately can i get a 504 plan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At least in MCPS you cannot get an IEP solely for OT because it is a related service only. You have to first qualify for a primary special education service like resource or speech, and only then can you get OT.

I don't think that's true. We got OT and not speech initially. We got speech a year later.

In MCPS? We were also told its a related service. DS had significant OT issues in kindergarten and the school told me this was the case but they would also look at this speech bevause maybe he would qualify. Thankfully, he did qualify for speech and thus got OT. Later when he was finished with speech, his primary code was changed to LD so he could continue receiving OT.

Even when you do qualify for speech, getting OT is difficult. My other child had a severe speech disorder was denied OT services even though we had a private OT and developmental pediatrician recommendation. We even hired an advocate.

For both we did private OT. What the school provides is very minimal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i have heard of a 504 plan. if i get OT services privately can i get a 504 plan.

If she has a qualifying disability you might be able to get one. A 504 provides only accommodations and not services.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i have heard of a 504 plan. if i get OT services privately can i get a 504 plan.

If she has a qualifying disability you might be able to get one. A 504 provides only accommodations and not services.

Some jurisdictions allow using "developmental delays" up to age 9 as a qualifying disability for an IEP. I know the cutoff in DC is 6, not sure about Maryland and VA.

[Anonymous]

I'm also skeptical that you will be able to get an IEP and OT services from school given the fact that your child has been accepted into the gifted-talented program (not that you shouldn't in a perfect world but it's going to be hard).

But perhaps you could get a 504 plan that would allow your child to get extra time for tests and perhaps an accommodation for a keyboard to type some assignments ir a scribe for essay tests.

If you can swing the expense I"d do private OT so you don't lose weeks / months fighting with the school system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At least in MCPS you cannot get an IEP solely for OT because it is a related service only. You have to first qualify for a primary special education service like resource or speech, and only then can you get OT.

I don't think that's true. We got OT and not speech initially. We got speech a year later.

In MCPS? We were also told its a related service. DS had significant OT issues in kindergarten and the school told me this was the case but they would also look at this speech bevause maybe he would qualify. Thankfully, he did qualify for speech and thus got OT. Later when he was finished with speech, his primary code was changed to LD so he could continue receiving OT.

Even when you do qualify for speech, getting OT is difficult. My other child had a severe speech disorder was denied OT services even though we had a private OT and developmental pediatrician recommendation. We even hired an advocate.

For both we did private OT. What the school provides is very minimal.

Yes, MCPS. I'm convinced that there is no rhyme or reason to who gets what services.