Re: Kerry, &

[Guest guest]

Hello,

This message is for Kerry, , & . I am a preschool

speech-language pathologist, & I read that you were hesitant about your

child receiving special education services from your public school. I

understand how overwhelming the IEP & placement process can be to parents

of very young children.

Early education programs provide wonderful opportunities for delayed

students to catch up. I don't know your child capabilities, so I can't

give you any specifics. However, in the state of Georgia, children are

deemed eligible for services by having delays in the following domains:

communication ( receptive- language comprehension & expressive- language

use such as speech) , adaptive skills (ie. problem-solving),

personal-social (ie. expression of emotions & playing with peers),

self-help skills (ie. dressing & going potty), and motor skills (ie.

gross motor- running & jumping, & fine motor- grasping & cutting).

Children are placed by committee members which include teachers,

specialists, and most importantly parents. Labels are usually necessary

for certain placements, but I understand they can be very frightening.

Many times children who receive special education services in preschool

catch up with their peers, & go to regular kindergartens. The primary

goal for early education programs are to get the children we serve ready

for kindergarten. That includes providing them with every possible

service that is available to them. However, my advice to parents is

listen to recommendations, but never forget that you are the boss. No

decisions can be made without your approval. Ultimately, you know your

child better than anyone else, so you have to go with your instinct.