We got Jude's assessment in the mail over the weekend. For you child development gurus, the test they did was the "Battelle Developmental Inventory 2nd Edition." According to the report, a child must score more than 1.5 standard deviations below the norm in a category to be eligible for services in that area. Jude scored -1.67 in expressive communication and thus did qualify for "early intervention services and consultative support from a Speech pathologist." I have all of the numbers if they mean something to anyone.

The case worker is coming out tomorrow to go over it with us. I wanted to tell her that we know how to read and really don't need her to come out again, but that seemed rude or against protocol or something.

I had been telling myself that I was just being proactive about Jude's speech and that I wasn't worried about it or anything. I shot that to hell today. Today at work a woman brought her son, Gage, in for a visit. He is almost exactly a month younger than Jude, so we are often chatting about what the kids are doing. I had never met him before, though. His Mom was doing some things at work and was out of sight a couple of times. Whenever she did this, he would calmly say "Mama?" and she would pop back in sight. It sounds ridiculous, but it really cut through me. Jude has never called me anything. If he was looking for me, he would have to cry or yell or grunt to get my attention. Gage had all sorts of words, but the Mama thing really got to me.

I think they will only cover one speech therapy session a month. I'm hoping my insurance covers some, but I think probably not. This is what my coverage book says:

Speech Therapy - In order to be considered a Covered Service, this therapy must be performed by a certified, licensed
therapist and be Medically Necessary due to a medical Condition such as:
• a congenital abnormality;
• a stroke;
• aphasia;
• dysphasia; or
• post-laryngectomy

I don't know *exactly* what aphasia or dysphasia are. Would one of these be Jude?

This is in the "not covered" area:

54. Services provided in connection with autism, pervasive developmental disorders or learning disabilities except for
the purpose of diagnosis of the condition

I'm guessing they would throw speech therapy for a toddler into this area.

My work is switching insurance in July...