? re preschools in NJ and town paying for therapies

August 11, 2001

I had an IEP meeting today with my town about placement for my 3 and

1/2 year old daughter. It couldn't be completed or made definite

because most of the private out of district placements are closed for

the summer and unfortunately, I am afraid they will be also not able

to accept new placements in the Fall bec. they are full. All of the

evaluators agreed with my doctors that my daughter is not

autistic/PDD but that she may have apraxia and definitely has severe

speech and receptive delays as well as sensory issues (she love to

feel things of different textures). However, the problem is finding

a school that is right for that in between kid that is not autistic

and although she has mild low muscle tone, does not the severe

disabilities found with CP, etc.

Children's Institute in Verona was mentioned but then my doctors feel

that that is mainly for autistic kids so I don't know. Summit Speech

School was mentioned but the school isn't sure having not seen my

daughter yet if she would be up to their program at this time.

The child study said that the closed schools should have openings

available if the town calls them. I am doubting that. The team also

recommended a full day which I feel is going to be too much for her

to go from nothing to everything all at once. She also has some

health problems such as severe constipation that can cause severe

pain in the day and she needs me. Also, if she has a full day, she

is going to be too pooped with her low tone, to do any of her private

ot and speech therapies.

Has anyone ever had the town pay for a private preschool and private

therapies?

I am also getting frustrated by the time this process takes. I

started this in June and because the child study team is partime in

the summer and the preschools are presently closed to check out, I

still don't have a formal IEP and I am still paying for my private

therapies that my HMO (CignaComed) is refusing to pay. The town told

me they had 90 days to implement a program so I have to wait.

Please give me your imput!!

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