I'm another person who agrees with the previous PP that these services are totally unproven for NT kids. As a SN mom, my experience has also been like a few of the other PPs who said that the programs are generally over-inclusive to make sure they catch as many kids as possible so no one slips through the cracks. My experience has never matched others' on this site that "if your kid qualified for EI, then they must really have problems". At the early ages, I feel like they get flagged for ridiculous things. As they age, things level out and any issues they actually have become more obvious and a lot of the other stuff becomes silly in hindsight.

I'm not telling OP to deny these services. I'm just agreeing with another poster that it's worth asking questions and doing your research without blindly accepting that your kid needs to be in therapy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I have two kids with delays. Both did private OT for years. One did private speech for one year. Despite all the hard work, they still have fine motor delays and other motor planning challenges. Neither one of my kids qualified for Early Intervention. If your child qualifies, she is VERY delayed. You should take the therapy.

This really depends on the area and evaluator. Some evaluators will qualify ANY child, usually based on something totally different from the original concern. I've worked in the system, but not in DC area. I'm always amazed when people say it's very difficult to qualify for EI, but it guess that's the case in some areas. What does your ped think about the identified "delay," OP? Also, a child younger than 10 months not crawling is not a delay - strange that you would be referred for that? Does your DD not pick up finger foods at all and is that the only issue?

My guess, as someone who works in MoCo EI and does these early assessments (as an SLP, but we are multidisciplinary during testing), that the child was a ~month premature, which made her adjusted age 9 mos instead of 10. She wouldn't have qualified in gross motor then, but you only need to qualify in one area in order to qualify for services. If they child is having trouble assisting with dressing (balance, motor planning) or feeding herself (motor planning, fine motor coordination, hand-eye coordination, etc) that may be manifesting in that area earlier and just starting to show up in gross motor as delayed crawling. We get Ped. referrals all the time for things that are just mildly behind or not behind at all, but we like to put eyes on the child and see what's going on since we have more time and a more thorough process than a typical checkup. We'd always prefer to screen too many kids than to miss someone who could benefit from early intervention. However, sometimes the test fails and a child qualifies on a fluke but we see no concerns and we're upfront with parents about that. Sometimes we see some atypical development in one area but the child qualifies with a 25% delay in another area and that's how they receive services. We always have the option to qualify atypical development via professional judgment, but if the test picks them up with a 25% delay we go with that.

OP, I really hope you take the services. It's a completely voluntary program that you can end at any time, but that almost never happens. We're here to support you and help you support your child. Maybe she would be fine with no therapy. Maybe she would be fine, but it would take longer to develop on her own. Maybe all you need are some small tweaks to jumpstart things. Maybe there's something going on, and your provider can bring in supports and refer you to those who can address things early. That's less common, but all are possible. It's all individualized, so services last only as long as your child still needs them. I hope you decide to give it a try and see what you think, and best of luck to you both!

Anonymous wrote:OP, I have two kids with delays. Both did private OT for years. One did private speech for one year. Despite all the hard work, they still have fine motor delays and other motor planning challenges. Neither one of my kids qualified for Early Intervention. If your child qualifies, she is VERY delayed. You should take the therapy.

This really depends on the area and evaluator. Some evaluators will qualify ANY child, usually based on something totally different from the original concern. I've worked in the system, but not in DC area. I'm always amazed when people say it's very difficult to qualify for EI, but it guess that's the case in some areas. What does your ped think about the identified "delay," OP? Also, a child younger than 10 months not crawling is not a delay - strange that you would be referred for that? Does your DD not pick up finger foods at all and is that the only issue?

I smell a troll. Nobody in their right mind would consider a 10 month old who isn't crawling delayed and no way in hell that a kid with 1 month delays in any area qualifies unless the kid is 6 weeks old.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a special ed teacher who has provided EI services in Arlington. The county doesn't hand out free services to kids who don't need them. If a pediatrician and a professional's assessment suggest your child needs services, it's almost neglectful to refuse to treat your child. If I were you I'd investigate my inner desire to go against the recommendations of professionals. Especially since it's free.

Argh. One question OP asked is whether EI works. We can't just assume that services work because they are needed. That's just not true and arguably just as neglectful to ignore. Especially when it is something as vague as "activities of daily living" for an infant. OP wants to know more and she's right to. So far I haven't seen a single actually helpful thing posted here.

Do you even have kids who have had delays and gotten servives? If not, please stop playing games. These services can help op's kid. Moreover, they can't possibly hurt. I get you want to have an argument where you're the intellectual winner but you're playing with the well being of other kids when you try to convince their parents EI services are useless.

Yes, I do in fact. I am not saying EI is useless. I am saying that OP is right to pursue more information about the delay noted, the reasons for the services provided, and the underlying condition if any. I mean it's possible there's something going on she should investigate further with her ped or other specialists. The EI assessor is likely not even an MD. I am confused why anyone thinks the end of the story would be a blanket "early intervention works and it's free." That's not how I approach any medical issue in my own life or child's life. Not sure why it's so offensive to ask for the facts about what's going on and what might work.

You're full of it. If your child has special needs there is no way you would not be advocating her to accept these services.

Did you see me advocating not to accept the services? No, you did not.

You advocate her "knowing more" about whether they're "useful." You can try to get someone to debate with you but quit lying about being a SN parent.

and why would it be inappropriate to know more about the treatment and whether it will work??? Maybe it's ineffective. Maybe she needs *more* services than offered. maybe a 2nd opinion or a dev ped would shed more light.

So then tell her to start taking the services while waiting to get a second opinion or in to see a developmental pediatrician. That can 4-6 months and the window where EI services are offered in the home, at the lowest cost and most convenience to families closes at 3.

MY child went through extensive EI. We had OT, PT, play skills and speech multiple times per week. Yes, he qualified for that much service (different state). Looking back, we had very skillful staff who not only addressed the areas of concern but we're able to play with him and introduce concepts/ skills in a way that was different than how I did. My child has a genetic disorder which has a lot of issues related to rigidity/lack of flexibility. I can't quantify it, but I truly believe that the different EI staff working with him was of tremendous benefit to him due to the differing methods and repertoire from mine. They also went to my childcare and worked with him there and with the childcare providers. I cried when the services ended.

OP, I have two kids with delays. Both did private OT for years. One did private speech for one year. Despite all the hard work, they still have fine motor delays and other motor planning challenges. Neither one of my kids qualified for Early Intervention. If your child qualifies, she is VERY delayed. You should take the therapy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a special ed teacher who has provided EI services in Arlington. The county doesn't hand out free services to kids who don't need them. If a pediatrician and a professional's assessment suggest your child needs services, it's almost neglectful to refuse to treat your child. If I were you I'd investigate my inner desire to go against the recommendations of professionals. Especially since it's free.

Argh. One question OP asked is whether EI works. We can't just assume that services work because they are needed. That's just not true and arguably just as neglectful to ignore. Especially when it is something as vague as "activities of daily living" for an infant. OP wants to know more and she's right to. So far I haven't seen a single actually helpful thing posted here.

Do you even have kids who have had delays and gotten servives? If not, please stop playing games. These services can help op's kid. Moreover, they can't possibly hurt. I get you want to have an argument where you're the intellectual winner but you're playing with the well being of other kids when you try to convince their parents EI services are useless.

Yes, I do in fact. I am not saying EI is useless. I am saying that OP is right to pursue more information about the delay noted, the reasons for the services provided, and the underlying condition if any. I mean it's possible there's something going on she should investigate further with her ped or other specialists. The EI assessor is likely not even an MD. I am confused why anyone thinks the end of the story would be a blanket "early intervention works and it's free." That's not how I approach any medical issue in my own life or child's life. Not sure why it's so offensive to ask for the facts about what's going on and what might work.

You're full of it. If your child has special needs there is no way you would not be advocating her to accept these services.

Did you see me advocating not to accept the services? No, you did not.

You advocate her "knowing more" about whether they're "useful." You can try to get someone to debate with you but quit lying about being a SN parent.

and why would it be inappropriate to know more about the treatment and whether it will work??? Maybe it's ineffective. Maybe she needs *more* services than offered. maybe a 2nd opinion or a dev ped would shed more light.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a special ed teacher who has provided EI services in Arlington. The county doesn't hand out free services to kids who don't need them. If a pediatrician and a professional's assessment suggest your child needs services, it's almost neglectful to refuse to treat your child. If I were you I'd investigate my inner desire to go against the recommendations of professionals. Especially since it's free.

Argh. One question OP asked is whether EI works. We can't just assume that services work because they are needed. That's just not true and arguably just as neglectful to ignore. Especially when it is something as vague as "activities of daily living" for an infant. OP wants to know more and she's right to. So far I haven't seen a single actually helpful thing posted here.

Do you even have kids who have had delays and gotten servives? If not, please stop playing games. These services can help op's kid. Moreover, they can't possibly hurt. I get you want to have an argument where you're the intellectual winner but you're playing with the well being of other kids when you try to convince their parents EI services are useless.

Yes, I do in fact. I am not saying EI is useless. I am saying that OP is right to pursue more information about the delay noted, the reasons for the services provided, and the underlying condition if any. I mean it's possible there's something going on she should investigate further with her ped or other specialists. The EI assessor is likely not even an MD. I am confused why anyone thinks the end of the story would be a blanket "early intervention works and it's free." That's not how I approach any medical issue in my own life or child's life. Not sure why it's so offensive to ask for the facts about what's going on and what might work.

You're full of it. If your child has special needs there is no way you would not be advocating her to accept these services.

Did you see me advocating not to accept the services? No, you did not.

You advocate her "knowing more" about whether they're "useful." You can try to get someone to debate with you but quit lying about being a SN parent.

I am not sure at all why this touches a nerve or what you are projecting on me. OP has been informed by a non-MD of something very concerning about her child (a developmental delay that requires treatment). She is engaged in a pretty reasonable line of learning to figure out what to do. I in fact have been in a very similar situation, actually fought for services, but have been frustrated by the exceeding vagueness of actual guidance on how services work and what they do. As a parent I'm not satisfied with slogans like "early intervention works!!" without more.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a special ed teacher who has provided EI services in Arlington. The county doesn't hand out free services to kids who don't need them. If a pediatrician and a professional's assessment suggest your child needs services, it's almost neglectful to refuse to treat your child. If I were you I'd investigate my inner desire to go against the recommendations of professionals. Especially since it's free.

Argh. One question OP asked is whether EI works. We can't just assume that services work because they are needed. That's just not true and arguably just as neglectful to ignore. Especially when it is something as vague as "activities of daily living" for an infant. OP wants to know more and she's right to. So far I haven't seen a single actually helpful thing posted here.

Do you even have kids who have had delays and gotten servives? If not, please stop playing games. These services can help op's kid. Moreover, they can't possibly hurt. I get you want to have an argument where you're the intellectual winner but you're playing with the well being of other kids when you try to convince their parents EI services are useless.

Yes, I do in fact. I am not saying EI is useless. I am saying that OP is right to pursue more information about the delay noted, the reasons for the services provided, and the underlying condition if any. I mean it's possible there's something going on she should investigate further with her ped or other specialists. The EI assessor is likely not even an MD. I am confused why anyone thinks the end of the story would be a blanket "early intervention works and it's free." That's not how I approach any medical issue in my own life or child's life. Not sure why it's so offensive to ask for the facts about what's going on and what might work.

You're full of it. If your child has special needs there is no way you would not be advocating her to accept these services.

Did you see me advocating not to accept the services? No, you did not.

You advocate her "knowing more" about whether they're "useful." You can try to get someone to debate with you but quit lying about being a SN parent.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a special ed teacher who has provided EI services in Arlington. The county doesn't hand out free services to kids who don't need them. If a pediatrician and a professional's assessment suggest your child needs services, it's almost neglectful to refuse to treat your child. If I were you I'd investigate my inner desire to go against the recommendations of professionals. Especially since it's free.

Argh. One question OP asked is whether EI works. We can't just assume that services work because they are needed. That's just not true and arguably just as neglectful to ignore. Especially when it is something as vague as "activities of daily living" for an infant. OP wants to know more and she's right to. So far I haven't seen a single actually helpful thing posted here.

Do you even have kids who have had delays and gotten servives? If not, please stop playing games. These services can help op's kid. Moreover, they can't possibly hurt. I get you want to have an argument where you're the intellectual winner but you're playing with the well being of other kids when you try to convince their parents EI services are useless.

Yes, I do in fact. I am not saying EI is useless. I am saying that OP is right to pursue more information about the delay noted, the reasons for the services provided, and the underlying condition if any. I mean it's possible there's something going on she should investigate further with her ped or other specialists. The EI assessor is likely not even an MD. I am confused why anyone thinks the end of the story would be a blanket "early intervention works and it's free." That's not how I approach any medical issue in my own life or child's life. Not sure why it's so offensive to ask for the facts about what's going on and what might work.

You're full of it. If your child has special needs there is no way you would not be advocating her to accept these services.

Did you see me advocating not to accept the services? No, you did not.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a special ed teacher who has provided EI services in Arlington. The county doesn't hand out free services to kids who don't need them. If a pediatrician and a professional's assessment suggest your child needs services, it's almost neglectful to refuse to treat your child. If I were you I'd investigate my inner desire to go against the recommendations of professionals. Especially since it's free.

Argh. One question OP asked is whether EI works. We can't just assume that services work because they are needed. That's just not true and arguably just as neglectful to ignore. Especially when it is something as vague as "activities of daily living" for an infant. OP wants to know more and she's right to. So far I haven't seen a single actually helpful thing posted here.

Do you even have kids who have had delays and gotten servives? If not, please stop playing games. These services can help op's kid. Moreover, they can't possibly hurt. I get you want to have an argument where you're the intellectual winner but you're playing with the well being of other kids when you try to convince their parents EI services are useless.

Yes, I do in fact. I am not saying EI is useless. I am saying that OP is right to pursue more information about the delay noted, the reasons for the services provided, and the underlying condition if any. I mean it's possible there's something going on she should investigate further with her ped or other specialists. The EI assessor is likely not even an MD. I am confused why anyone thinks the end of the story would be a blanket "early intervention works and it's free." That's not how I approach any medical issue in my own life or child's life. Not sure why it's so offensive to ask for the facts about what's going on and what might work.

You're full of it. If your child has special needs there is no way you would not be advocating her to accept these services.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a special ed teacher who has provided EI services in Arlington. The county doesn't hand out free services to kids who don't need them. If a pediatrician and a professional's assessment suggest your child needs services, it's almost neglectful to refuse to treat your child. If I were you I'd investigate my inner desire to go against the recommendations of professionals. Especially since it's free.

Argh. One question OP asked is whether EI works. We can't just assume that services work because they are needed. That's just not true and arguably just as neglectful to ignore. Especially when it is something as vague as "activities of daily living" for an infant. OP wants to know more and she's right to. So far I haven't seen a single actually helpful thing posted here.

Do you even have kids who have had delays and gotten servives? If not, please stop playing games. These services can help op's kid. Moreover, they can't possibly hurt. I get you want to have an argument where you're the intellectual winner but you're playing with the well being of other kids when you try to convince their parents EI services are useless.

Yes, I do in fact. I am not saying EI is useless. I am saying that OP is right to pursue more information about the delay noted, the reasons for the services provided, and the underlying condition if any. I mean it's possible there's something going on she should investigate further with her ped or other specialists. The EI assessor is likely not even an MD. I am confused why anyone thinks the end of the story would be a blanket "early intervention works and it's free." That's not how I approach any medical issue in my own life or child's life. Not sure why it's so offensive to ask for the facts about what's going on and what might work.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a special ed teacher who has provided EI services in Arlington. The county doesn't hand out free services to kids who don't need them. If a pediatrician and a professional's assessment suggest your child needs services, it's almost neglectful to refuse to treat your child. If I were you I'd investigate my inner desire to go against the recommendations of professionals. Especially since it's free.

Argh. One question OP asked is whether EI works. We can't just assume that services work because they are needed. That's just not true and arguably just as neglectful to ignore. Especially when it is something as vague as "activities of daily living" for an infant. OP wants to know more and she's right to. So far I haven't seen a single actually helpful thing posted here.

Do you even have kids who have had delays and gotten servives? If not, please stop playing games. These services can help op's kid. Moreover, they can't possibly hurt. I get you want to have an argument where you're the intellectual winner but you're playing with the well being of other kids when you try to convince their parents EI services are useless.

Anonymous wrote:I'm a special ed teacher who has provided EI services in Arlington. The county doesn't hand out free services to kids who don't need them. If a pediatrician and a professional's assessment suggest your child needs services, it's almost neglectful to refuse to treat your child. If I were you I'd investigate my inner desire to go against the recommendations of professionals. Especially since it's free.

Argh. One question OP asked is whether EI works. We can't just assume that services work because they are needed. That's just not true and arguably just as neglectful to ignore. Especially when it is something as vague as "activities of daily living" for an infant. OP wants to know more and she's right to. So far I haven't seen a single actually helpful thing posted here.