I know it is hard being I have one with trouble too. One thing that helped Ansley a little is reading books that interest her. I let her read anything she likes for school time. Praying for her.
Ok. The insurance company has said they will not cover any of the costs. So, we can't get her the help she so desperately needs. The dr. wants to see her 4-5 times a week, and she wants to work with her 2 hours a day($40/an hour). We are only going to be able to afford once a week. This is going to be a very long and expensive battle, but I know God is able. So, please pray God will make a way. What happens to children in PS? How do they get help, or do they? I'm working with her on what they told me yesterday. It has been hard today. Lorna, They told me to let her read what she was interested in. So, thank you for the good advice and your prayers. Blessings, Melanee
Melanee.... I do know with speech delays or problems in speech, as a homeschooler, you can enroll them in public school to use the speech therapist. Of course, we know this in our area, but it is not something the ps advertises. We also use discretion when we tell homeschoolers as we want the ps to be able to work with us when we need this service. Some hsers enroll, then don't go or do it haphazardly and thus make a bad name for the other hsers,kwim?:roll: I even know of some that had unusual demands for times and schedules...PLEAZZZEEEE. You know what I mean...just a handful is all it takes to make a bad name...I know that doesn't happen in all areas.. Most ps don't have any problem with this because you enroll them and they like having the student counted and enrolled for money purposes to the school.;-) I have not come across anyone using the ps for kids that are dyslexic, but it be worth checking into with your local group and if not the local group, the regional group might know of such a public service for special needs. I know in our area, my sister just had to pay gas money and of her course her time in going back to the ps every day for speech, but it DEFINETLY paid off and saved tons of money. Not to mention, she continued hsing. I could be wrong, but it would stand to reason that such a service is provided by the local ps. In our area with a severe problem the child would have an IEP (individualized education plan) meaning that she would have a special teacher in addition to her regular teacher and/or special curriculum and/or hands on time. I can't remember which state you are in, but I would start with the local group first and then go on the regional group and get information first before you call the ps so you can see what is *customary and ordinary* for your area. Then when you do call the local school, you are more *armed* with info. as to how they work. Barring that, my best advice would be to go talk to the ps in person and let them know your dilemma. Letting them know you want to still hs, but need help. I know the ps officials in our area are very nice and work well with us. Especially a face to face shows very serious concern and love.. I hope that helps!
Tina, she should check with HSLDA about therapy in schools. It seems to vary from state to state. We had a gal from Ohio on here for a while who had a hearing impaired son. She was feeling pressure to put him back into the public school because the super (who had already lied to her in one area) told her they didn't have to give her son therapy unless he was enrolled. I didn't think this was right, so I talked with a HS'ing friend with a daughter that has Down's. Her sister works for the state department as an advocate for special needs students. To make a long story short, we were told that the district does NOT have to provide therapy to HS children. And many districts won't allow you to enroll full-time (ie: just to get therapy).
Melanee, you might want to check with Melinda Boring at www.HeadsUpNow.com She is a speach pathologist in Ohio that homeschools her kids, two with specail needs. She might be able to get you in touch with someone or might herself have an idea of what can help you.
Thanks again everyone for being patient with me and understanding. Thanks also for the wonderful advice. I will let you know what happens. Thanks, Melanee
Hey Jackie girl...yep, I know here in Texas being so huge in #of homeschooling students, that we are a *force* to be reckoned with:razz: The school districts here loooovee enrollment for purposes of speech therapy only...they don't mind a bit that you homeschool them..one less student for them to teach:roll: Of course the Texas Home School Coalition is so *in their face* and keeping the ps updated, they have no choice..:razz: Like you said, each state is different.....so thats why I figured the *regional* group would have a *good handle* on it first, then the state group..That is what THSC is, our state group. Being their *home base* the state or regional group would have first hand knowledge. But too, Melanee, your state group may not be as strong as it is here in Texas, :-? so for sure like Jackie said check with HSDLA too for more options.. I realize too that Texas has the hugest amount of homeschoolers so things are a lot easier here than other places...<sigh>
We're the opposite of Texas, Tina! Our speech therapists are so overworked, at least in the district I worked in, that the LAST thing they want are more kids that aren't "their" kids. The attitude is kind of, "You want them at home, FINE!!! Then don't ask US to deal with them!!!"
My experience is that the local pses usually don't have a clue as to what the state requires them to provide. Your area might be different. I would suggest getting ahold of the state board of ed. to see what the ps is required to do for you. That way you can avoid contact with the ps until you know exactly what you want to request, kwim? Not all pses are ignorant of the laws or unwilling to help, but I always like to know just what they are supposed to do before I ask.
The schools where I live are like Jackie's. I'm in Alabama. THey want to leave it up to us since "we think we can do a better job." I am going to check on the laws here. By the way HSLDA was helpful; however, They could not help us. Scholarships are available for those of you it could help.
Hey Melanee.. I have one more site for you..;-) I had forgotten about a state site for special kids and it has a link for dyslexic children.. http://www.dyslexia-teacher.com/index.htm Yeah, as far as what I understand about the *disabililty act* which is what I think this falls under, it's up to each ps district as to what they do, if anything. Ps use to be a lot more helpful, but with a new federal law that was enacted either in 1999 or 2000, as far as I understand it, it up to each ps. I know those helpful, caring ps probably still exist, but probably are few and far between.:sad:
I like your new signature quote, Tina! I didn't realize that there was a federal law now that allows a ps to choose.
I was told by someone (don't know 100% if it is true or not) that if you sign your child up as a child with a disability they can not get a diploma from any association. Does anyone know for sure?
Hey Brooke..I was going to do one of my favorite scriptures, but there are sooooo many,:shock: :grin: and this one looked good too... Yep, the federal law is called IDEA.. Individuals with Disability Education Act. I think it was in 1997 then changed in 1999 or 2000 again. I'm not sure how it's applied in each state, but the way I understand it in our state is that yes, special funding is set aside to help these children, but when it comes to private school children or charter schools (as homeschoolers we fall under the same provisions as private schools) then each state or district applies that basically how they want to, i.e. *whether they want to help or not*.. It is called *dual enrollment*. So the federal law says yes there is money but only thing I can gather from this (regarding other states) is that if homeschoolers do not fall under state law as being private schools or charter schools they can't even be considered. If they are considered, it still reads best I can remember to be something that is up to the school. Or thats how I would understand it as a lay person. It has been a while since I have read about it,etc..but that is probably the reason for the latitude and nonconsistency between states and ps,kwim?:roll:
Thanks Thanks so much for the website. It was absolutely wonderful, it has answered alot of my questions. In Alabama, dyslexia is pushed under the rug. People actually pretend it doesn't exist. How frustrating! My dd had her first training session tonight. It went well. I met a couple that have a ds that has the same type of dyslexia and same severity of dyslexia as my dd has. They informed me that BC/BS is paying 70% of their sessions. BC/BS federal refuses to pay anything for us. I can't understand why they don't help us since we are paying so much for our insurance each month. My dd really needs more than once a week sessions. Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks for your help and understanding. :grin: Blessings, Melanee
Is there a way for you to submit it to your insurance again???? There was a man at our church who needed a liver transplant and the insurance person who made the decision said he was not a candidate. Well, our church went into prayer about it and a few weeks later that insurance person called this guy to tell him that she changed her mind!!!!! \o/ \o/ \o/
There's some places that automatically turn things down the first time. They figure that if you're not willing to b**** about it, then you don't really "need" it.
