Insurance for therapy...

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-20-2006
Insurance for therapy...
4
Tue, 08-22-2006 - 10:15am

Hello,

I have been here before and posted so maybe some of you remember me. It has been a while since I've been here.

This past week my son's behavior has not been so great. He will start kindergarten next week at my other child's school. It is a school that is teaches more advanced curriculum, so I have doubts that this is going to be the right fit for him but we will see. He is bright but he doesn't like to do the work. I have been working this week on him writing his name and he has fits. He will squeal (that's the best I can describe it.

I have not gotten a diagnosis for him yet though he's been to two different specialists. I wish we could get an explanation for his behavior and maybe get some help. My friend who's son is autistic is in a support group and I think that would be helpful but I don't think I should go if he really doesn't have anything (which I know in my heart he has Asperger's) His pediatrician sensed a problem (I've been telling him for years) and referred me to a neurologist and scheduled therapy but I got a letter from the insurance company that they don't cover anything related to autism. I find that unbelievable! Is that the same for the rest of you or maybe things have changed since then.

My friend who's child is autistic says that I should wait for kindergarten (now that's only next week) to see how he does. In preschool, his teacher always said he was fine and that she didn't think there was anything wrong. But then he never spoke to her either. I have thought about whether to let his new teacher know my thoughts up front or not. I don't want to "plant ideas" into her head but then she needs to know. I know it's important for me to tell her. Even if he does do well and doesn't notice anything, it's still there.

I think I need to keep searching for someone who can help us, though I don't really know what they can do. Really, I just feel sort of confused.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2003
Tue, 08-22-2006 - 1:28pm

"In preschool, his teacher always said he was fine and that she didn't think there was anything wrong. But then he never spoke to her either."

Are you saying your son never spoke in preschool but he speaks outside of school? If so I have some info for you.

As far as the insurance, yes most refuse payment for autism. But that doesn't mean you can't get therapy. If the Dr. and therapists are aware of the insurance problem they can get creative in the diagnosis codes they use and get payment.

Samantha

Samantha
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-20-2006
Tue, 08-22-2006 - 3:38pm
Thanks for the info on the insurance. My son speaks at home, often times in his own peculiar language or baby talk but at school, he would not speak to the teacher until towards the end of the school year, he did finally talk to her a little. I have another child who is extremely shy and I have given thought to that being the case with this child but shyness does not sum it all up. There are so many other things going on.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2003
Tue, 08-22-2006 - 6:23pm

I was asking because my daughter had selective mutism, an anxiety disorder. The talking at home but not at school is a key feature of the disorder. If may want to check out www.selectivemutism.org It is often mis-diganosed as aspergers/pdd.

Samantha

Samantha
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-20-2006
Thu, 08-24-2006 - 1:34am
I don't know but there is more to it than that, but it could be part of it. This evening he went to meet his teacher at open house and when she spoke to him, he hid behind me and wouldn't talk. Then she asks him if he found his cubby and said "let me show you where your cubby is" and he follows her and starts talking to her. I'm so glad that this teacher has a way of making him feel comfortable. I have to call her this weekend to let her know about my concerns about him. She's great. She tells parents to call her at home with any questions or concerns. I don't even know where to begin with that. I guess I will say "have you ever heard of Asperger's Syndrome? Well I think my son has that, though he has not been diagnosed but he has been diagnosed with SID......"
If anyone reads this, feel free to give me your thoughts.