Washington State Funded Programs

All states are mandated by Federal law to provide special service for children who would have difficulty learning if they didn't receive extra help. Their services cost nothing financially.

Have you talked with Multnomah County Educationas Services? This is the office that co-ordinates and provides numerous services. I don't know how Washington State could provide any better services. This service is mandated by federal law. They are funded with Federal moneys. IT is the same in both Washington and Oregon.

My grandson is in a special needs kindergarten and receives speech therapy, occupational therapy, and something else that I don't remember. He has an IEP (individual education plan.) His mother pays nothing for this program.

My grandson is also covered by Kaiser Permanente Insurance and he's been able to receive speech therapy with only a co-payment of $20.

Before you take the drastic step of moving research what is available in Oregon thru the Multnomah County Educational Service Distric.

Washington State does have great programs. Start with calling Pride For Kids. Through them, your son would attend a preschool class. He would also receive whatever therapy he qualifies for, once a week. (Sensory, feeding, occupational, speech, and physical therapies.) Their information is:

6511 NE 18th St
Vancouver, WA 98661
###-###-####

Then, once he turns 3, he will transfer into a preschool program. All of these services are free of charge.
Our daughter is 5 years old, and has down syndrome. We have had a wonderful experience in Washington State. I would be happy to help you further. My email is ____@____.com. I would be happy to share the program we went through and give you specific people to contact, if you are interested.

By the way, we have know several people who lived in Oregon, and either moved to Washington or have payed out of pocket to attend the Washington State programs. I have heard that kids in Oregon receive therapy fewer times a month than in Washington. So, I am assuming that is why you are looking into Washington? Because, services are also available in Oregon.

R. Waters

Hi, my son has a speech delay and has been enrolled in Washington State infant/ toddler early intervention program since he was about 15 months old. They bill insurance first, then the school district, then find other sources to pay for services so that nothing comes out of your pocket. The infant toddler program is only for little guys from birth to 3 years and then they transfer into the school district and receive care on the same schedule as the school year.

http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/iteip/

This is the link to the program. I would call somebody and ask about residency and the next stage after infant/ toddler and of course any other questions you have:)

All the people I worked with within the program were very nice and easy and the school I chose for my son, which I loved, was Pride for Kids on 18th ave.

Good Luck Mama,
R.

Have you already been accessing Early Intervention services?

I don not know of WA state programs but I do know of a really fantastic doctor in Lake Oswego that has her own Austic/ADHA program. Dr. Tanya Hudson ND ###-###-####. It is worth checking out.