Health
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    • Topic: 
    • Help, mom loosing her mind!
  • From: jennhplus2
  •   To: All
  • 1 of 2
  • 10/23/08

I need some help.  My daughter is 6 years old.  I took her to a neurologist here in St. Louis.  The doctor said "she is quirky."  He said he could not rule out aspergers.  She definitely has issues with Sensory Intergration, and Pragmatic Skills.  She regularly plays on the swings at school.  She does not have any friends nor does she speak to them.  To me it seems when I speak to her she's not there or the information does not seem to seep into her little brain.  She does not like loud noises at all.  Most of the time she avoids eye contact.  She goes ballistic if things are not what she's use to or are changed.  I noticed it more when my 3 year old is able to retell what happened at the babysitting location and my 6 year old is not able to.  I am loosing my mind and need help! 

I have called several places here in St. Louis.  Almost all have a year waiting list or do not take insurance at all for an evaluation.   She has been to an OT for evaluation and has come out with Sensory Integration Disorder.    I don't feel they are doing anything thus far to help her.  Not only do I need help for her but we need as parents to know what we can do to help her. 

I have contacted the sources listed on your website, one is $340 and waiting list until March.  A center in the hospital is $280.  How do people afford this?  Why is it not covered by insurance?  Then what is insurance for?  I think my only option if it is true they accept insurance maybe at the University that is 3 hours away.  If not, I don't know what to do. 

Sincerely,

Jenn H.

Mom loosing her marbles!

  • From: _ABCNewsMedUnit_
  •   To: jennhplus2
  • 2 of 2
  • 10/28/08

*****FROM ABC NEWS MEDICAL UNIT*****

 

Hi Jennhplus2 and thank you for your question. Here is an answer to your question from Sheila Wagner, M.Ed., Assistant Director, Emory Autism Center:

 

Hello Jenn,

 

I'm sorry that you are having such a hard time getting help. Unfortunately, there is no substitute for a good solid, comprehensive evaluation to see if your daughter does indeed, have Asperger's Disorder. 5 months seems like a long time to get an evaluation, but in this business, because there are so few that really understand how to do a full, comprehensive evaluation, that is quite short. Please continue to pursue the evaluation. Also, contact your school's special education department and tell them that your daughter is having great difficutly and you want to have her evaluated for services. Send a written letter outlining all the areas of difficulty that she is having and request a meeting to discuss it. Has she already been through the Student Support Team process? If not, ask your daughter's teacher to discuss that process with you. I cannot answer the insurance question, but I know it is a struggle for many. That will have to be taken up with your insurance commission in your state.

 

I hope this was somewhat helpful to you and wish you the best of luck.

 

Sheila Wagner

 

NOTE: Top medical experts on allergy answer questions like these on the OnCall+ Autism site: http://abcnews.com/autism

 

*****FROM ABC NEWS MEDICAL UNIT*****
 
 
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