Developmental preschool/services

[eav2c]

I don't know what else to title this, sorry.

Whose kids are starting this fall? What are the hours? Will they be attending another daycare/preschool in addition? What other services will they be getting?

Colin's IEP meeting is June 4th. Initially the evaluator felt he only needed speech services but he is now having a full assessment on Monday because he is high risk due to epilepsy and might also have a receptive language delay (initially were just told expressive). I'm on the fence with regards to the developmental preschool. Some of my reasons being genuine and others somewhat selfish.

Curious as to what the schedules of your littles are shaping up to look like.

[TrudyCampbell]

Violet is going to a full day program, it's something like 8:45-1:45 or 2:45. It's long. She will get all of her services in house (3x a week each of PT, OT, speech). It was the best choice for us because of the sheer amount of therapy she will be getting. It's also great that her class is full of kids with speech delays and minor motor delays, so her teachers will be working on those skills in class the entire day.

[blane12]

Blake actually started in April, and his last day is tomorrow, but will be starting again in the fall. His are full days 9-2:30p. m-Th. He has IEPs for speech, OT, and PT. he gets pulled out once a week for each for currently 15 min. I'm trying to change that for next year and hopefully get more. We get IEP progress reports every 9 weeks. His preschool has a mix of children with developmental delays and typically developeding kids.

He will be watched my mom or MIL (depends on the days) before and after until I get off work. He will also have one session of private therapy for speech for 30min which has been on Fridays lately since he doesn't have school that day.

What are you on the fence about? How delayed is his speech? Blake is very delayed, and as you can see by my post earlier, I am trying to push for more therapy.

[kandrze1]

Emerson is currently in a developmental preschool, 5 days a week, 8:30-2:30. She has a 45 minute bus ride, and I don't currently do wrap around care.

In the fall she's moving to an off site location, which means she will still be with the developmental preschool group but pushed into a typical classroom at a typical preschool.
She will still go 5 days a week, 8:30-2:30 minus the bus ride. I'm trying to work out after school care for the fall,
She gets OT and speech 3 times a week for an hour each session and PT 2 times, same length of time.

I had, and still have a lot of mixed feelings on her placement. I will say that I think it is in her best interest to get as much help/therapy now before her transition off of the preschool special ed commitee into Kindergarten.
I like the developmental preschool because she gets a ton of therapy and I have seen huge improvements in her speech and motor skills.

I'm looking forward to her being around more typical peers because I really think she needs models for typical behavior and social interaction.

She's also going to a 6 week summer session because the TBI qualifies her for an extended year. I was on the fence about that, but I decided she seems to be on a positive track now and I didn't want to risk a regression.

Preschool stressed me out so much, but when all is said and done Emerson is happy and loves going to school right now.

[eav2c]

May 27, 2015 21:07:13 GMT -5 blane12 said:

Blake actually started in April, and his last day is tomorrow, but will be starting again in the fall. His are full days 9-2:30p. m-Th. He has IEPs for speech, OT, and PT. he gets pulled out once a week for each for currently 15 min. I'm trying to change that for next year and hopefully get more. We get IEP progress reports every 9 weeks. His preschool has a mix of children with developmental delays and typically developeding kids.

He will be watched my mom or MIL (depends on the days) before and after until I get off work. He will also have one session of private therapy for speech for 30min which has been on Fridays lately since he doesn't have school that day.

What are you on the fence about? How delayed is his speech? Blake is very delayed, and as you can see by my post earlier, I am trying to push for more therapy.

The hours. Which is really superficial, I realize. He will have to be pulled from his current program completely which he loves. The developmental program is five days a week and the AM program is 7:30-11:30 and PM is 12:30-2:30 (or maybe it is 3:30... I don't remember exactly but I will ask Monday again). There is no full day here. He currently attends a normal developing program Tue/Thurs 9-2. The only session we would be able to swing, unless I don't put Oliver in a program, would be the morning. The selfish part of me says I won't be able to swing 7:30. I realize I will need to eventually when the boys are in school but at that point they will be able to pour themselves some cereal and wipe their own bums   I just feel bad that Oliver will have to miss out since he really wants to go to school (tantrums at every drop off!) because the pickup hours just won't work for both. There is also no guarantee that he will be eligible next year so I prefer not to swap him from place to place (last year he was in another development program). My heart says to accept the weekly therapy sessions and go from there. If his progress isn't satisfactory put him in the preschool then. My MIL more or less called me selfish for my feelings though.

I don't know how behind he is. He will occasionally utter three word sentences but it's rare. Instead of "I want milk, please" he says "milk" or points. We get very little full thought sentences but then again I had thought he progressed a lot. At his 3 year well check the pediatrician said if any child deserved a spot that he should be first in line. I don't know that I agree but maybe I have mom goggles.

[eav2c]

May 27, 2015 21:15:13 GMT -5 kandrze1 said:

I had, and still have a lot of mixed feelings on her placement. I will say that I think it is in her best interest to get as much help/therapy now before her transition off of the preschool special ed commitee into Kindergarten.

Yes, I agree with this whole heartedly. I will admit I have a skewed idea of an IEP and special ed services. I had an IEP from Kindergarten until I graduated (first for speech and then for a learning disability). I know IEP's have evolved a ton over the years but it put a tremendous amount of stress on me. I went to a small school so everyone knew, I was pulled out for every test, and I just felt dumb. It wasn't until college when I received zero special services that I actually excelled in school (this is just my experience, generally, I know it's much different... especially now) so in that respect I want to get him as much help and therapy now. I have nothing against IEP's or special services, if he needs them he needs them, but I just worry that he will somehow have the same feelings I had. Gah.

Maybe my feelings really are selfish, I don't know. 

[kandrze1]

I think your feelings are completely valid. One of my biggest hang ups is the fear that Emerson will be labelled in some way that could be detrimental to her as she goes on in school, because she's in Aspire ( that's the program she's in). I can't tell you how much I stressed over that, and I'm a teacher! I think a lot of parents feel that way.  
Honestly, if Emerson didn't have a full day option, half days like you described would be very difficult for me to figure out.
I constantly question my decisions regarding her schooling. I think whatever you decide to do, getting the eval will give you the information you need to make a decision that works for C.

[eav2c]

May 27, 2015 22:01:58 GMT -5 kandrze1 said:

I think your feelings are completely valid. One of my biggest hang ups is the fear that Emerson will be labelled in some way that could be detrimental to her as she goes on in school, because she's in Aspire ( that's the program she's in). I can't tell you how much I stressed over that, and I'm a teacher! I think a lot of parents feel that way.  
Honestly, if Emerson didn't have a full day option, half days like you described would be very difficult for me to figure out.
I constantly question my decisions regarding her schooling. I think whatever you decide to do, getting the eval will give you the information you need to make a decision that works for C.

Thank you. This puts me a little bit more at ease. I have been trying for two years to get Colin more services even offering to pay 100% OOP and was constantly told "wait until he's three." I guess I just thought his progress was so much more substantial in the past three months. He's smart, he seems to understand, he just can't verbalize well. I will have more answers Monday.

Would it be off base if I ask what services they think he needs before the IEP meeting? My H can't go as I had surgery this week so my H doesn't think he can get off. I want to discuss it with him before I go. My MIL will be at the meeting but that's because she works for school board and will already be there =|

Eta: did E wean from the keppra?

[kandrze1]

C sounds like Emerson with the speech. She wasn't verbalizing, did a lot of one word answers, pointed, etc but she knew what she was trying to say and what you said to her. I really have seen such an improvement in this area for her recently.

I'd ask the evaluators what they think and I wouldn't be afraid to tell them what your concerns are and what you'd like for him. Emerson's evaluator's have all been really helpful and happy to talk to me, so I don't see a problem asking them before hand.

She's still on the keppra. Her EEG showed some slow brain waves on the right side still, so the doctor felt it would be good to keep her on it until August. He felt like any behavior issues it might be causing are less concerning than a possible seizure. Is C still doing well weaned?

[eav2c]

May 27, 2015 22:29:04 GMT -5 kandrze1 said:

C sounds like Emerson with the speech. She wasn't verbalizing, did a lot of one word answers, pointed, etc but she knew what she was trying to say and what you said to her. I really have seen such an improvement in this area for her recently.

I'd ask the evaluators what they think and I wouldn't be afraid to tell them what your concerns are and what you'd like for him. Emerson's evaluator's have all been really helpful and happy to talk to me, so I don't see a problem asking them before hand.

She's still on the keppra. Her EEG showed some slow brain waves on the right side still, so the doctor felt it would be good to keep her on it until August. He felt like any behavior issues it might be causing are less concerning than a possible seizure. Is C still doing well weaned?

Fingers crossed for her. Ours said the same thing re: behavior vs keppra. He was having about one cluster of seizures a week (he always had three and they came every 2-3 hours starting around 7:30/8am. But it was ALWAYS three. That still boggles my mind. They had a very specific pattern. He's been doing so well! Which is why this all is probably hard on me. I know I should have pushed harder in the past.

It is great to hear what improvement E has made. It gives me so much to hang onto and feeling more comfortable. My friend worked for the developmental preschool at another school in this country and said they might b able to bus him from his current school if he gets into the PM program. That is promising, at least. Going AM and being bussed wouldn't work because of nap time at the school. I guess I just need to wait and see how it plays out.

Sincerely thank you for talking me down. I don't know if you realize that you even did that but I felt like I had failed him. Then I was feeling selfish for my reservations. Thanks.

[kandrze1]

I'm glad I could help a little. It's a frustrating process. You have not failed him at all, you're trying and that's what matters.

Definitely ask about the busing and let the committee know your concerns for the schedule. Unless I find someone to come to our house next year I think Em's going to need busing from before/after care to her program.

I'm so glad he's doing so well off the Keppra! That's awesome!

[Regina Philange]

Louie's bus picks him up from daycare At 1245 and drops him back off a little before 4. He is the only three year old in a class of 4 year olds. I think it just worked out that way right now. He gets pulled from the class three times a week for speech. We are currently fighting for the six week summer session, because they want to pick him back up in the fall, but I don't want him to regress.
He loves riding the bus, and I cry every time I see him with his huge little backpack on(he needs a full sized one for a regular sizes folder for communication w the teachers.)

He's come so far. But for us, that is a huge improvement! We just started with "I want......," and stuff like that.

Before he got into the program he was evaluated at a 23 month level. I think he's making huge strides!

I struggled w labels too. Technically to get into the program he is classified as a "preschooler w a disability." But I let that go, when I realized how much help he is getting and seeing the progress is beyond exciting.

Also my sister is a kindergarten teacher, and she said some kids that came from the program, she would never know if the parent didn't tell her that they were in the program . The labels don't have to follow them around.

[Regina Philange]

He started the Monday after his third birthday. I guess it's different in some other states where they wait until the fall?

Good luck. The process to me was incredibly stressful. Whatever you decide will be great for C.

[tuck]

Sadie is currently doing speech for 30 minutes a week at the public school. Her only issue is articulation, (expressive and receptive language skills are fine), so we aren't doing preschool. We will start "homeschool preschool" in the fall. I don't think we'll have services over the summer, but we should stay with the same schedule once school starts back in the fall.

ETA: Our situation is a bit different, with homeschooling and all. I take her to the elementary school every Tuesday at noon, and all four of us (me, Holden, Sadie, and Charlie) go to the SLP's classroom for half an hour. I'm hoping that in the fall we can just send Sadie up, but since the SLP has only known Sadie since March, she wants us there to "interpret." It's getting kind of annoying trying to keep Holden and Charlie entertained and quiet during therapy.

[blane12]

eav2c - you are not being selfish at all. You know your son the best, so don't be afraid to go with your gut. I was actually really worried about him going a full day because he hadn't been in any organized care (my mom and mil watch him) and thought it would be too much, but he's done great and loves it. I really struggled deciding on preschool.

My H was REALLY worried about him being labeled special needs and afraid of him being thought of as stupid by his peers by going to this preschool. B is really bright and understands everything, just can't verbalize. H didn't want him to be labeled as having a learning disability. I completely get that, and I'm sorry you had to go through that yourself. With B, I just feel like we didn't have any other options. He NEeDs the therapy, and I want to do everything possible right now so that when he's older, he isn't labeled as special needs. I struggle with them saying my child has a disability as well because he's such a sweet personable smart boy.

Those hours would be tough. B starts at 9a, and some days it's a struggle to get him there on time! . Also I think if you could get an idea what they're thinking before the IEP, it would help you prepare. I had to do it myself too, and was completely unprepared which is part of the reason I'm taking him to a developmental pediatrician and going to try to get more therapy.

I'm glad he is doing so well weaned. Making these big decisions for our children are so tough! Good luck!

[TrudyCampbell]

It seems like I'm the odd one out but I am so not concerned about labels. They are three! Their peers don't care or notice stuff like that at all. I would rather her be in a special needs environment now to hopefully make a ton of progress and be in a normal kindergarten class, which is seeming likely right now since her speech is doing so well. I want Violet to have as many labels as possible right now to get her a ton of services. I just want her to thrive and get as much special attention as possible.

[kandrze1]

May 28, 2015 6:57:29 GMT -5 TrudyCampbell said:

It seems like I'm the odd one out but I am so not concerned about labels. They are three! Their peers don't care or notice stuff like that at all. I would rather her be in a special needs environment now to hopefully make a ton of progress and be in a normal kindergarten class, which is seeming likely right now since her speech is doing so well. I want Violet to have as many labels as possibly right now to get her a ton of services. I just want her to thrive and get as much special attention as possible.

This is where I'm at now. I'm not worried about labels now. I completely agree, I want Em to get everything now in the hopes that she doesn't need it later.

My worry was kindergarten. My school kind of tracks and I don't want Emerson tracked lower because of her being in a developmental pre-k. I've spoken to a lot of K teachers and they've assured me I shouldn't be concerned with that now. So I'm feeling less concerned with that lately. It definitely was my worry when she started the process though.

[eav2c]

May 28, 2015 6:57:29 GMT -5 TrudyCampbell said:

It seems like I'm the odd one out but I am so not concerned about labels. They are three! Their peers don't care or notice stuff like that at all. I would rather her be in a special needs environment now to hopefully make a ton of progress and be in a normal kindergarten class, which is seeming likely right now since her speech is doing so well. I want Violet to have as many labels as possible right now to get her a ton of services. I just want her to thrive and get as much special attention as possible.

It doesn't bother me now at all. I asked his teacher how he is and she said he was not isolated at all even though his speech was way behind the rest of his peers. It is definitely more reason to get him help now so that hopefully in the future he won't need the extra help. From my personal experience, that IEP haunted me. I could never get rid of it. So, it is just a fear of mine that once he has it that we will be stuck. But you are totally right, the earlier, the better. I just need to get over my own hang ups. It doesn't have to be the same for Colin.

[Regina Philange]

May 28, 2015 6:57:29 GMT -5 TrudyCampbell said:

It seems like I'm the odd one out but I am so not concerned about labels. They are three! Their peers don't care or notice stuff like that at all. I would rather her be in a special needs environment now to hopefully make a ton of progress and be in a normal kindergarten class, which is seeming likely right now since her speech is doing so well. I want Violet to have as many labels as possible right now to get her a ton of services. I just want her to thrive and get as much special attention as possible.

Yes, I totally agree now. At first, it did hurt me to see those words. But now, I don't care. Especially because I am more familiar w how the process works.

[Regina Philange]

I also feel like I want to AW my husband here. When we started, he was so against the process. He thought I was crazy and paranoid, and now he fights and gets Louie into every single special service he can. I'm so thankful for him.

[Regina Philange]

Eav2c- good luck on June 4th. My best advice is be prepared to fight. It's hard for me to talk about Louie's weaknesses, but you have to magnify them to get the help they need. It's hard to do, but it's worth it in the end. Otherwise they will give you as little as possible.

It's ok, to find these meetings tough. We are human. It will work out!

[TrudyCampbell]

May 28, 2015 8:10:10 GMT -5 Regina Philange said:

Eav2c- good luck on June 4th. My best advice is be prepared to fight. It's hard for me to talk about Louie's weaknesses, but you have to magnify them to get the help they need. It's hard to do, but it's worth it in the end. Otherwise they will give you as little as possible.

It's ok, to find these meetings tough. We are human. It will work out!

Yes. It seems against your instinct to highlight your child's weaknesses, but you really have to. No one else will fight for him so it's up to you!

[eav2c]

May 28, 2015 8:10:10 GMT -5 Regina Philange said:

Eav2c- good luck on June 4th. My best advice is be prepared to fight. It's hard for me to talk about Louie's weaknesses, but you have to magnify them to get the help they need. It's hard to do, but it's worth it in the end. Otherwise they will give you as little as possible.

It's ok, to find these meetings tough. We are human. It will work out!

I just find myself struggling to accept that he might need this help. I KNOW he needs help but I don't know if I have come to terms with the preschool aspect yet. Taking him away from his program he loves will break me. He is so happy and so loved there.

[Regina Philange]

May 28, 2015 8:16:05 GMT -5 eav2c said:

May 28, 2015 8:10:10 GMT -5 Regina Philange said:

Eav2c- good luck on June 4th. My best advice is be prepared to fight. It's hard for me to talk about Louie's weaknesses, but you have to magnify them to get the help they need. It's hard to do, but it's worth it in the end. Otherwise they will give you as little as possible.

It's ok, to find these meetings tough. We are human. It will work out!

I just find myself struggling to accept that he might need this help. I KNOW he needs help but I don't know if I have come to terms with the preschool aspect yet. Taking him away from his program he loves will break me. He is so happy and so loved there.

Have the meeting and go from there. You don't HAVE to accept what they give you. Any way he can do both programs?

[Regina Philange]

Louie doesn't nap anymore, and we put him to bed early. He's exhausted when he gets home but we wanted to make it work that he goes to his school(daycare) and the preschool/prek.

[eav2c]

May 28, 2015 9:05:27 GMT -5 Regina Philange said:

May 28, 2015 8:16:05 GMT -5 eav2c said:

I just find myself struggling to accept that he might need this help. I KNOW he needs help but I don't know if I have come to terms with the preschool aspect yet. Taking him away from his program he loves will break me. He is so happy and so loved there.

Have the meeting and go from there. You don't HAVE to accept what they give you. Any way he can do both programs?

I will have to see for sure but I don't think so. Colin doesn't nap either but nap time at his current program is 12-145 and they all lay down regardless of if they nap or not. Pick up is 2. Doing both programs would maybe be feasible if he gets into the PM class but I don't know if they do that by age or needs (I'll ask Monday). If he did PM, Oliver would not be able to go to preschool due to timing which sucks because he really wants to go. It's basically a compromise, which is fine, but I hate to feel like one of my kids is going to miss out.

[eav2c]

Okay so the coordinator in charge of the preschool program called me this morning and said she discussed Colin further with the speech pathologist and they are going back to their initial thoughts that they want to just do a speech eval and then go from there. From what I have said, they don't think he has a big enough global delay to qualify for the preschool program but it's not out completely. If he scores low enough on his speech then he can still qualify but basically he needs to score behind in two places to qualify - which we don't think he will score below anywhere but speech but where I don't know. I honestly feel very confused about where he is and I feel bad about that. Anyways, the speech pathologist just called and said she has two spots open and was is for tomorrow at 10 am so I took it. She said she will be able to give me a good idea of her thoughts tomorrow and then the IEP meeting will still be next week. He might still have a full eval depending on tomorrow but I don't anticipate that.

I feel relieved because this has been weighing heavily on me and this time tomorrow I should have some idea of what is going to happen and what the recommendations are.

[blane12]

You're right TrudyCampbell, we shouldn't worry about labels. It's easier said than done sometimes though. .

My H was worried about kids making fun of B for his speech issues. I had to explain to H that we need to get him the help he needs NOW to help lessen that chance. The kids in his class love him though because of his happy personality.

I hope all goes well tomorrow @evac2! I'm sure C will do great. Please update when you get a chance. At least you'll be able to make some decisions soon!

[eav2c]

May 28, 2015 18:44:03 GMT -5 blane12 said:

You're right TrudyCampbell, we shouldn't worry about labels. It's easier said than done sometimes though. .

My H was worried about kids making fun of B for his speech issues. I had to explain to H that we need to get him the help he needs NOW to help lessen that chance. The kids in his class love him though because of his happy personality.

I hope all goes well tomorrow @evac2! I'm sure C will do great. Please update when you get a chance. At least you'll be able to make some decisions soon!

Thank you! I look forward to getting updates on your little man too. I haven't been around much when it comes to these threads because I honestly just feel... Lost? so I appreciate that you all have chimed in and provided me an outlet. I hope I can help you in some way too, if even just lending an ear.

[Regina Philange]

Eav- update when you can!! Good luck!