Diagnosis of PDD-NOS

I would request additional OT if what he is getting right now is not sufficient. They may require additional documentation from the neurologist, but if it helps, why not? Some insurance companies will cover OT as well, so you could check with your carrier and see.

Other agencies that might be able to help obtain services are California Children's Services and Alta Regional Center.

Also when you see the neuro again, ask the doctor if there is other therapy/services that would help with this diagnosis. They may have ideas of things that have worked that you can ask for in the IEP.

Val

K. -
I feel your pain. My son probably has the sensory integration disorder but in a different mix. He gets overstimulated and gets aggressive and impulsive. We are getting ready for a neuro visit next month. You might want to check out this website if you haven't already http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com
I have found it very useful. At his IEP you should ask for more OT. You can call the California Department of Education and get information on what is appropriate to ask at an IEP. People there are generally helpful.

Good luck!

M. S.

Dear K., we are pearents of speccial need child. We went to many Therapy clinics( Poland, Oregon, LA) but the best answer came with good nutrition and execises. We avoided surgeries, pump, injections. If you are not affraid of sales pitch, we are inviting you to talk to parents, what they've done for their kids with PDD.

Contact the Warmline Family Resource Center. It is a non-profit group ran by parents of special needs kids. Their Roseville number is ###-###-####. They can help with IEP support, community resources, support groups, etc.

Remember that any therapies from school is to only make them functional in the classroom or more successful in their academics. Therapy from the school is not there to make them successful in the community or at home. Talk with someone from the Warmline more about this and other therapies that may be available in your school district like social skills groups.

L.

I sent you a private email with a personal story and some ideas but wanted to share that all materials must show that his disabilities and areas of suspected needs (not the DX specifically) drive the Goals and Objectives. You have to get appropriate and accurate assessements done. You need to make sure you understand those results and can have someone neutral verify the tests are complete and what the results truly mean.
You need the right age aprropriate tests and sometimes there is a gap..as in the Kaufman language test. It only goes up to 74 months or something and my kiddo was right over that and there was reportedly no other test. So he would test high on that.
Also, All medical information needs to explain how your son's diabilities are manifesting problems for him in an EDUCATIONAL setting, impacting his ability to learn, access his schooling and also if it is impacting others.

Once you get testing, (from speech, ed psych, SIPT, Processing, motor planning, technology, Adaptive PE assessments, not Screenings, then sit down and write goals
Goals and objectives are tricky. I can get some good tools for you.

He will need accomdations and modifications ( I am not talking about watering down curriculum as you stated he is bright, but teaching him the way he learns..visually no doubt, sitting arrangement, sensory diets, brakes, positive support, headphones for noise, an exit plan at assemblies, prep for transitions, changes, as much notification if there is a sub (which is hard) but anything that can throw him until he is regulating better( hello, OT OT OT) and he will need this.
We know some great OT in our neck of the woods but not sure you want to drive that far.
I am reading the Sensational Child right now. Can only read out of sync books so many times..

Best K., hope you got my message

To my knowledge, the IDEA act is also about being able to access community and leisure as well as education. It is a slippery slope area. Email me if you want.

K.,
Are you able to put the meeting out until you have the testing results? I would also research online the diagnosis that you have already to see what more they could be doing to help him now. Remember as the rules state what the parent says goes...don't let them intimidate you. I have navigated my son thru this system for years.
W. M.