Autism/Early intervention

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Expert: - 8/24/2009


Question
Tim,
I have a six month old son receiving EI services in N. California. My son is hitting most of his motor milestones, but at 6 months old he is not cooing or laughing. I requested a speech pathologist to work with him and was denied. I am being told he may not be able to receive further treatment since he is not showing 1/3 delay. He has limited eye contact and other red flags for autism. Is there anything I can do to keep EI to keep working with us? Thanks, Sarah

Answer
Medical doctors say it is very difficult, if not impossible to diagnose for Autism in a 6 month old. This is a topic for you to discuss with your child's doctor. You might consider having your son assessed by a private speech pathologist. This expert can tell you what help your son should be receiving. I am not familiar with the terminology "showing 1/3 delay." The law says that children with "significant" delays should receive services. The courts have ruled what this means for older children. But for a 6 month old I know of no court case rulings addressing this. Again I suggest that you have your son assessed by a pediatric psychologist who works with very young children. They can tell you what services your child should be receiving.

I wish you and your son the best,
Tim Runner, Advocate
Advocates 4 Kids
Email: timrunner@cox.net
Phone: (949) 582-3601
You can learn more at my web site:
www.special-education-answers.com
www.education-advocates.com (for DSL and phone)

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Tim Runner

Expertise

Questions concerning autistic student special education: IEP, assessments, Due Process, mediation, resolution conference, federal law, state law, qualifying for services, residential treatment, special day classes, resource specialists, procedures, having your child assessed, adaptive PE, speech & language, non-public school, FAPE, tuition reimbursement for private schools and treatment centers .

Experience

I have been an education advocate representing students and parents for six years. My experience includes: representing my clients in IEPs, SSTs, Due Process, review assessment results for my clients and for other advocates, and mediations. I have represented clients with learning disabilities, autism, Downs Syndrome, cognitively challenged, emotional problems, learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, and physical disabilities. I have also represented clients to County Mental Health Departments and Regional Centers. My clients range from pre-school to college students in California and various other states.

Education/Credentials
I have a degree in Mathematics from the University of California with minors in Psychology and Physics. I also studied applied statistics in the field of psychology at both the undergraduate and graduate level. I have taught college classes, conducted seminars, written articles for various publications, and testified as an expert witness.

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