Readers: The following is an interview with Dr. Ellenmorris Tiegerman, Founder and Executive Director of the School for Language and Communication Development. She is an expert in the field of early childhood development, and her insight and wisdom is tremendously valuable.
Hello, Dr. Tiegerman. Introduce yourself, and tell us a little about the school you founded.
Hi, everyone. I am the Founder and Executive Director of the School for Language and Communication Development (SLCD) which provides educational services for children 18 months to 21 years with language and autism spectrum disorders. I started this program in 1985 when I was teaching at Adelphi University because I grew up with a younger sister who had a developmental disability. My sister’s problem had a devastating impact on everyone in the family which brought us all together. My experience with my sister was the underlying impetus to start a school later on in life.
It’s often difficult for parents of young children to tell whether their child is just a bit slower than other kids or whether there is a real problem. When do you think parents should be legitimately concerned that something is developmentally wrong with their child?
I always tell parents to listen to the “little voice inside of themselves.” It is true that there is a difference between a delay and a disorder. When you are concerned, do not ever be uncomfortable about asking professionals for help. There are three areas in young children that are important to look at: talking, playing and socializing. If you have a concern that your child is not developing typical skills, definitely look on the Internet at sites such as www.asha.org which will give you developmental information about the sequence of skills that young children develop. Does your child have all of these skills? Next, I recommend that you look carefully at your child on a playground or in a play group to see how he is talking, playing and socializing with younger and older peers. Very often children with developmental delays will not engage in peer interactions but play by themselves off in a corner. You also need to take into consideration that some children are shy in new situations. Last but not least, you need to speak to your pediatrician very directly about your concerns. There are always differences in the rate of development in typical children. Development includes a range and often a developmental difference of six months turns out to be just that – a difference in learning and nothing else.
You often suggest using a child’s social settings as a measurement tool. Can you tell us what that means?
How does your child play with other children? Does he approach? Does he imitate? Does he share his toys with peers? How does he manipulate the toys? Are they manipulated appropriately? Play is a very complex process and is reflective of children’s developmental skills play becomes more sophisticated overtime. Is he anxious with peers? Another area to consider is how your child talks to other children. Is he using words and gestures? Is he using full sentences?
What are the most important first step parents can take once a developmental delay is obvious?
If you are concerned about a developmental delay, you must start with your pediatrician. Early intervention services require evaluations by a medical practitioner, a speech language pathologist and a psychologist. Your pediatrician will help you contact a social worker and/or initial coordinator to begin the evaluation process to determine if your child is eligible for therapeutic services.
Why is early intervention so important, in your view?
Developmental problems are not going to go away. As difficult as it is to acknowledge that your child may have a learning difficulty, it is better to know and address the issue as early as possible. Children who receive early intervention services during the first three years of life have the best prognosis for future development. Early intervention services “reteach” your child. Early intervention services provide direct and individualized instruction to ensure that skills which are not being developed are developed. We are very fortunate in the United States to have such an extensive early intervention system which provides a range of clinical services: speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, nursing services, audiological services, etc. But for your child to receive these services, you must acknowledge that your child needs those services.
Can you walk us through a typical path to diagnosis?
Depending on the state that you live in, your pediatrician puts you in contact with a clinical provider within the early intervention system. The social worker or coordinator will sit down with you and your family to identify the concerns that you have about your child. This becomes the framework for a clinical document. Based on those concerns, specific evaluations will be scheduled in your home and over the next several weeks, evaluations and reports will be completed. The early intervention team will then sit down with you, go over the results and inform you about your child’s need for services. Some states require anywhere from a 6 to a 12-month difference in development before a child below the age of 3 can receive therapeutic services. When your child turns age 3, you have access to the preschool special education system. In preschool, you are required to contact your local school district which will also schedule a series of evaluations and then determine your child’s need for special education services. Most states use a generic label such as “preschool child with a disability” rather than providing a specific label such as autism. It is not until children reach school age that educational labels are actually used.
Parents are often overwhelmed with disappointment, frustration, and worry when their child is diagnosed with a developmental delay. What advice would you give?
I know how hard and painful this process is so my advice to parents is that you need to grieve and express your frustration and anxiety but those feelings cannot interfere with the need for your child to receive his services. I also tell parents that this is a long and complicated road. My sister graduated from college. Many, many children with disabilities go on to lead independent and meaningful lives. In addition, most of the parents that I work with acknowledge the fact that all children are a blessing and that all children are special. Some children need help and that’s okay. We learn a great deal from our children as parents. Children are wonderful teachers. And our disappointments are just that – our disappointments. Our disappointments should not be a reflection on our children whether they are special or not. Finally, having been in this business for over 30 years, I have learned that children with special needs also have special talents and gifts and that’s what I look for. As parents, you need to look for those talents and gifts in your own child.
Are there any particular resources you might recommend?
First, parents need to look within their community for organizations that are run by parents and provide seminars and lectures. Go and listen to what other parents have to say. The parents that you will listen to may be starting out and have the same feelings that you have. Parents may also be much further along in the process and provide you with a wealth of information. Next, look for national and/or state organizations and put yourself on the mailing lists. If your child has a developmental disability, you need to learn about his problem. Finally, you must be your child’s advocate. I tell parents that they cannot take a “pass” on this issue. No one can speak for your child as effectively or as forcefully as you can. You must be his voice when he cannot speak. Do online searches for guide books, newsletters and materials which are available to parents who have children with special needs. Do not be afraid to call professionals or write to them to ask for advice. At the end of the day, the more you learn about your child, the more you will learn about yourself.
Thank you so much for helping our readers who may be going through a very difficult experience raising their child(ren). It’s been a pleasure interviewing you.
Parents can get in touch with Dr. Tiegerman and the school at the following:
School For Language & Communication Development, Middle / High School, 70-24 47th Avenue, Woodside, NY 11377 Tel: 718-476-7163
School for Language & Communication Development, 100 Glen Cove Avenue, Glen Cove, NY 11542 Tel: 516.609.2000 Fax: 516.609.2014 Email: info@slcd.org
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