Suggesting Child Needs To Be Evaluated

[WImom]

Do you have a form, do you talk to them? What do you say?

I have a 3.5y old DCB that I think needs to be evaluated. I have mentioned things to his parents a few times but not a formal "get him evaluated"

Any advice?

[MotherNature]

You could always print out the developmental checklist for your state & check the stuff he does or doesn't do.

[WImom]

Yeah I did that already in December. I guess I could do another one and show the items I didn't check are still unchecked.

[TwinKristi]

We have a program here through the Early Learning Institute that parents can agree to have the child evaluated at your setting and their's and based on the evaluation recommend services, further evaluation, etc. I had a boy evaluated last summer at 22ish months for lack of speech and some physical stuff. He had maybe 2 words? Not mama, dada, etc. but ball and hi I think? Anyway, we had him evaluated (at a 12-15 month at almost 2) and he qualified for speech and physical therapy and has recently started occupational therapy as well. At 3 they can receive services through the school district and special preschools for therapy on site.
I would do the same evaluation from Dec and then one for his next "milestone" and show them the areas he's behind, and soon to be even further behind, the and recommend formally (in writing on letterhead to keep in his file) that he be evaluated by a professional for delays. Reiterate to them that he's falling further behind every time he doesn't pass his milestones. So if he's behind in even a 2yr old sheet that's a significant period of time. Just be matter of fact and not judgey or in a sympathetic "I'm so sorry" manner. Explain that this is just part of "your job" and if you didn't recommend this that you wouldn't be following protocol for the state, licensing, etc.

[Heidi]

"So dcm, do you remember back in December when I did the developmental screening for dcb? As you know, there were a few things I thought we should keep an eye on. Now that a few months has past, I'd like to do another one, and then sit down to see if we're seeing the same thing. Would next Tuesday after daycare work for you, or should we go over it over the phone?"


I think giving them a 'heads up" that you have concerns without being specific (yet) might be easier to take, especially if you are inviting their input. Once you do the screening, you can have the information ready about who should do a formal evaluation.

If you get a chance to go to the Ages and Stages training, it's pretty good. I don't use it, because honestly, my dcp's would not participate, and in my small group, everyone is very much "on pace". But, with your group and setting, it might be a good tool to have. http://agesandstages.com/

Check on The Registry or with your R&R or Youngstar consultant about getting that training. It should be free or you could use your next grant to pay for it.

[WImom]

Thanks! I printed out an ages and stages questionnaire for both me and his parents. Hoping this will help!!

[Leigh]

You could probably set up a time for a Birth to Three evaluation for all the kids at daycare, and just hand the parent a consent sheet, and tell them that this is a new "service" you are offering them. I doubt many parents would refuse it if you just hand them the sheet and ask them to sign it.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

You could always print out the developmental checklist for your state & check the stuff he does or doesn't do.

I did that and wrote up a list of concerns. They evaluated at his home and said he just had speech issues. Slp says no re-evaluate. They came here and saw/heard EVERYTHING. Diagnosed with autism.

[WImom]

Sad....I sent home the ages and stages evaluation 3 weeks ago along with some scissors in a bag (There was cutting practice in the evaluation). When I didn't hear anything or receive it back I sent a note home asking for them to return the form and scissors or just the scissors if they were not going to complete the form.

Guess what came back today!!....scissors only.

I don't get it, your child will be 4 end of August and still can not put on his pants, shoes, etc. Not potty trained, will go #1 if I take him but will sit in #2 without a word. He can not put puzzles more than a few pieces together. He is getting better at speech but is not as clear as other children younger them him here and I can't understand him most of the time unless I can tell by sight what he means. Is FINALLY able to wash his hands independently and tell me his name in the last two weeks which is progress.

I really think it's lazy parenting. I think he could know how to do many of these self help skills but everyone does them for him and then I'm always the one fighting with him to do it himself.

[cheerfuldom]

Sad....I sent home the ages and stages evaluation 3 weeks ago along with some scissors in a bag (There was cutting practice in the evaluation). When I didn't hear anything or receive it back I sent a note home asking for them to return the form and scissors or just the scissors if they were not going to complete the form.

Guess what came back today!!....scissors only.

I don't get it, your child will be 4 end of August and still can not put on his pants, shoes, etc. Not potty trained, will go #1 if I take him but will sit in #2 without a word. He can not put puzzles more than a few pieces together. He is getting better at speech but is not as clear as other children younger them him here and I can't understand him most of the time unless I can tell by sight what he means. Is FINALLY able to wash his hands independently and tell me his name in the last two weeks which is progress.

I really think it's lazy parenting. I think he could know how to do many of these self help skills but everyone does them for him and then I'm always the one fighting with him to do it himself.

In this case, I would just ride it out till he goes to school. As long as his behaviors are not disruptive to your program, there is nothing else you can do for now, unless you see some neglect here that you feel is reportable. Not providing resources to a special needs child can be considered neglect but in this case, it sounds like it could be a mixture of lazy parenting, unmotivated or late-bloomer type child.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

In this case, I would just ride it out till he goes to school. As long as his behaviors are not disruptive to your program, there is nothing else you can do for now, unless you see some neglect here that you feel is reportable. Not providing resources to a special needs child can be considered neglect but in this case, it sounds like it could be a mixture of lazy parenting, unmotivated or late-bloomer type child.

Yeah, I'd likely do the same then. How sad that they just sent back the scissors with no form.

[DaisyMamma]

Yeah, I'd likely do the same then. How sad that they just sent back the scissors with no form.

Some parents are just completely in denial of how delayed their child is.

[daycare]

this same exact thing happened to me. I sent home the eval permission slip, it never came back. The child was almost 5, just a few months before he was about to start kinder, not PT and you had the speech/self help abilities of a 2 year old.

I tired one last time with the parents and they responded with "our child suffers from genetic laziness" I was going to term on that note, but only had 2 months left before the child left for school so I didn't.

The child was held back and I know ended up with and IEP. It is so sad that the parents never got on board with me, but you can't make someone get help that does not want it.

Just love the child as much as you can and keep doing what you are doing. Unfortunately, we can't save them all........