I know in one of my recent posts I told everyone one day I would get around to blogging about Tyson's speech. Well today is that day.
So here is a brief run through of this craziness: I requested, to Tyson's teacher, back in May 2009 for him to be able to receive Speech Services. I knew he had a delay, and I was very anxious to get it corrected before Kindergarten started. Tyson is in a Headstart class where these services are available. I chose to put him in that class for the very reason that I knew he would be able to receive help. She told me she would get the process started, and let me know as soon as he could start. She did mention it wouldn't probably start until September 2009. Since it was almost the end of the "school year", and speech is done through the district. I was completely thrilled, and looking forward to that. Well in September that teacher left. I let the new teacher know what was going on, and we continued to work forward on that process. Finally in October, I said do you know where we stand? Well, come to find out the previous teacher had never filled my request. So no paper work, or calls had been done on my behalf. The children have to have a referral from the teacher. So basically, we were back to square one! I was very frustrated, more for my son's well being, then anything else. After several evaluations, weeks of waiting, phone calls, paper work, more phone calls, more weeks of waiting, more paper work, and one IEP meeting, I am happy to report that Tyson is now receiving speech services! YAY!!! I was finally able to sit down with the district today.
Tyson does what they call "Fronting", the correct term for it is "The Phonological Process". The sounds that Tyson should be making in the back of his throat (such as; car, cake, green, girl) he is making in the front so they come out as tate, tar, jeen etc.. He is the 12th percentile for children his age, so he defiantly requires service. His score was not low by any means. He actually scored very high in his testing. Although due to his age, and how he is making those sounds it dropped his percentile. So his speech therapy will include 30 minute speech sessions, for 30 weeks in a year, over the next 3 years then we will reevaluate. Hope that didn't confuse anyone! The speech therapist was amazing, and had nothing but positive things to say about Tyson. She believes that Tyson will learn, and correct this behavior quickly. She was very impressed about his cognitive skills, and thought he was very smart. There were no other concerns, he doesn't stutter, his hearing is fine, there aren't any abnormal voice problems. It's just this "fronting" that is the issue.
What I have learned from this process, DON'T GIVE UP!!! I fought so hard for this. The nice thing is...as long as Tyson is in need of help, the government is legally required to give him those services at no cost, until he graduates from high school. Obviously, he wont probably need it clear through, but it stands true for anyone. I learned that boys usually require speech, over girls. I thought that was interesting. Also, thanks to early testing we will not have to repeat this process for Kindergarten. Now that it is taken care of Tyson will be in speech starting DAY 1. Which will actually benefit him. My only fear is he will transfer from this District, to a new school district. So hopefully there wont be any hold ups there.
I'm thankful for Tyson's teachers who have been there fighting with me every step of the way, and helping me fulfil this goal for my son. It's nice to know I have people on my side. Plus all the people with the district were amazing. I am thrilled we are on our way, and starting a positive chapter for Tyson's education, and well being! :)
