Devontae’s family is African-American, and they live in a
medium-sized city (think of Roanoke, VA or Charlottesville, VA). Both parents
are medical doctors, Julius works as an ER doctor in the local hospital, and
Sasha is an OB/GYN in a local private practice. They practice Islam and
regularly attend the local mosque; they are part of a large group of friends
who are all roughly the same age and are all professionals in one field or
another. Both sets of grandparents are still living and live close by.
Additionally, Julius’ two brothers live in the same town, and Sasha’s sister
lives 30 minutes away.
Now at age 4, the Jones’
have found a way to begin to understand their son and his condition. It is
still tough. Sasha and Julius are ever confident that they can love Devontae so
much that he won’t even know of his difference. In spite of how difficult having
a child with a disability can be, Devontae has helped Julius and Sasha to
become closer. They have been able to hire a full-time, live-in nanny for
Devontae so that he has someone to provide him care when his parents are at
work. The nanny is highly qualified and has had training in ABA; he works
closely with a local university to have students come out to help as well. The
Jones family could not be happier with his work and his care for Devontae.
Devontae also has the
chance to be with those in his extended family – he goes to each grandparent’s
home once a week and gets to see his uncles regularly too. Though he is still
non-verbal, he is remarkably communicative with those eyes. Everyone that meets
him can see that he has so much going on in his little head – he just can’t
express it.
Devontae has done well with
sign language and knows several different words. He continues to improve in
this area. His parents are learning too, and this helps with meeting his needs
on a regular basis. Of course, he has his moments of severe dysregulation which
usually mean a tantrum on the floor and some physical containment by his
parents.
1) Contrast what the Jones’
are able to do for Devontae with the typical service plan for a child who has
Medicaid. What Medicaid-funded services would be available for Devontae from
birth through age 4? What service would be available under IDEA Part B and IDEA
Part C from birth through 4?
2) What are the typical
developmental milestones for a 4 year old? How far off is Devontae likely to be
from these?
3) What is known about the
causes of Autism?
4) If Devontae were to
attend preschool, develop some goals and objectives that might be found on his
IEP.
DECISION POINT ::: Does
Devontae attend preschool? If so, where? Public or private?
Devontae will receive several services through Medicaid waivers towards his care. Devontae is eligible for adaptive technology, environmental modifications, respite care, day and residential habilitation with prevocational services, family education, plan of care of support services, consolidated support services, and a live-in companion. This allows for him to remain at home with all the support he needs so he does not have be institutionalized. There are mandatory benefits he receives such as physician care, early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment (EPSDT) services, hospital services, home health care and skilled nurses. Optional benefits that can be covered depending on the state he lives in are prescription drugs, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech, hearing and language disorder services, respiratory care services, dental care, mental health care, and eyeglasses. Both the IDEA Part B and IDEA Part C from birth through 4 provide quality of personal where special education specialists have to hold certification in their state for special education and a license to teach. IDEA hold standards too where plans for assistive technology will be incorporated for children with disabilities along with appropriate early intervention programs and cognitive behavioral programs. Also transition services are provided including instruction and community experiences. Devontae is guaranteed all kinds of services including a physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech-language therapist, and educational support under IDEA.
ReplyDeleteWhen a child reaches the ages of three and four, a sigh of relief takes over because the terrible twos are officially over! When a child turns four, he or she will be going through many changes involving movement, language, cognitive, social and emotions. Involving movement, a four year old child should be able to go up and down the stairs without support, kick a ball and throw a ball over handed, he or she can also walk forward and walk backwards. The child should be able to use scissors, draw shapes such as circles and squares and draw people figures. On the language note a four-year-old child; he or she should understand the difference between same and different. Some children can speak in sentences up to six words and can tell stories. On a cognitive level, a child will know the names of colors; understand counting and the purpose can look at a problem but only from one point of view. He or she can follow certain commands, and begins to play fantasy and use his or her imagination. A child of four years old is very interested in new experiences and ideas. He or she can play and cooperate with other children and they love to play “house”. A typically four year old can also get themselves dresses and undressed and are overall more independent. Based on the facts of a typical four year old, we believe that Devontae is behind compared to children his age. Devontae is still nonverbal so he is lacking in language milestones. On a cognitive and mental level we also believe that Devontae is far behind his peers; which is typical for children with autism. He is not independent which a typical milestone is for someone at this age but with the improvements he is making in his language with using some words and with sign language he might be able to become more independent.
The parents of children with autism always ask themselves, “What did we do wrong?”, “Should we have done something different?” Parents can potentially drive themselves crazy looking for answers of why their child has autism and it is very rare that anyone will ever know what caused their child to have autism. It is shown that a few rare genetic disorders and toxic exposures have been known to cause autism. It is also found that there is no single cause of autism. Two children with autism can be very different is every aspect. If there was one cause, every child that is diagnosed will be exactly the same. It has been proven that a number of autistic children have many genetic problems or factors, as it is seen that autism runs in the family. Scientists pay special attention to chromosome 7 where it is identified as a potential source for autism. The environment is another major cause of autism as it contributes to the a child being born with the disease since some people are more susceptible to it than others.
ReplyDelete.
Devontae’s goals should be measurable, applicable, and specific within his IEP to make sure he achieves them. A communication goal for Devontae can be learning to ask for help and understanding facial expressions. Socially Devontae could stay involved in the classroom activities and interacting with what is going on. Devontae should start handling his frustrations with less of a meltdown and physically tantrum where he would interrupt the class. The occupational therapist should be able teach Devontae to draw shapes and zipping up his clothes. IEP should cover all the transition needs he will encounter going into kindergarten such as school readiness, behavioral concerns, and learning from his early intervention classroom experience. Over the years, Devontae should be able to hit developmental milestones and become more independent.
DECISION POINT
Devontae will attend public pre-school since it is in his best interest to keep developing and achieving his goals. He has a great support system and his parents are able to give him the opportunity to send him. Devontae may not be like the other children but he is guaranteed all the services he needs with the IDEA law and his IEP. Since his family is close by, even living in the same town, it would be just as beneficial for Devontae to attend public pre-school since they would have the same services as private but he would be closer to his family in case of an emergency.
References:
ReplyDeleteAges & Stages. (n.d.). Healthy Children. Retrieved May 30, 2012, from www.healthychildren.org/english/ages-stages/preschool/pages/developmental-milestones-3-to-4-year-olds.aspx?nfstatus=401&nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&nfstatusdescription=ERROR%3a+No+local+token\
Autism: Causes. (May 27, 2010) Mayo Clinic. Retrieved on May 30, 2012 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/autism/ds00348/dsection=causes
IDEA 2004. (n.d.). U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved May 29, 2012, from idea.ed.gov/explore/home
Kirk, S. (2011). Educating exceptional children. S.l.: Wadsworth Publishing Co I.
Medicaid Benefits | Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Medicaid.gov - the Official U.S. Government Site for Medicaid. Retrieved May 30, 2012, from http://www.medicaid.gov/Medicaid-CHIP-Program-Information/By-Topics/Benefits/Medicaid-Benefits.html
Medicaid Waivers For Individuals With Autism . (n.d.). A Child With Autism Can Get Their Needs Met… From Preschool To Adult Services.. Retrieved May 30, 2012, from http://www.child-autism-parent-cafe.com/medicaid-waivers.html
Rain, E. (n.d.). Autism and Pre-K IEP Goals. Autism spectrum disorders | Signs of autism. Retrieved May 29, 2012, from http://autism.lovetoknow.com/autism-pre-k-iep-goals