(No subject)

[Guest guest]

I haven't been following the egroup very well lately, but I do have 2 cents to

add concerning early intervention so I figured I'd take some time to share my

experiences with you.

My son was diagnosed at age 2 and was put into the preschool program they had in

Utah, which was great. We were only there for a couple months though and

unexpectedly moved back up to Washington. Here they have a " birth to three "

program that I can't say enough good things about. The other kids in there had

different delays and issues (for lack of a better word) - Aidan was the only one

with DS. You'll have to check on the specifics of the programs in your area, but

this one started in a large motor room (ball pit, slide, climbing toy, riding

toys, etc.), then onto free play (smaller manipulatives, imaginary play,

puzzles, etc.), snack (where they focused on eating/texture issues, help with

feeding, etc.) and ended with circle time (they had to learn to sit still and

take turns in the cirle, doing songs, more large motor, etc.). I thought the

program was great. They had separate speech time twice a week with an SLP so he

got that in a private setting.

She had some really great tips on things to help him get that headstart that we

needed and things to watch for. When he turned three he went to a " developmental

preschool " (through a local elementary school here) where they had peer models,

along with the kids with delays. The peer models pay a tuition, which helps the

school and are on track in their development, which helps the kids have positive

models. Anyway, things there were set up like they would be in elementary

school, with an IEP, evaluations through the school district, etc. Like I said,

that's how they do it here - I don't know if it's different in other states.

Even though there were other kids in the program with delays, Aidan got the help

he needed (especially the social interaction) so I thought it was great. The

program was set up similar to how it works in school so there are evaluations,

parent-teacher conferences and IEPs. Since he was on an IEP, he gets

re-evaluated every 3 years

(is that right ?) so if something isn't necessary anymore they

discontinue and if there are added challenges they address those. So as far as

your question of whether having a diagnosis means they're stuck in special ed,

with this program that's not the case. Aidan is in 1st grade now and mostly

needs help with speech (although there have been other minor things in his IEP

like social interaction and math) so he's in a mainstream classroom with an IEP

teacher who comes in and helps with IEP goals. And, for speech he's pulled out

once a week during a time that will disrupt his progress the least.

Anyway, obviously I could go on and on. Our school district is really great and

does really well so I have nothing but praise for Early Intervention. Looking

back, if I hadn't done it I would have wondered what help I could have gotten

for him so that would be my motivation more than anything. Plus, having him

constantly going to school from a very early age has helped with each transition

that much more. Each start of a new year, he's already used to a school setting

so he's ready to focus on learning, rather than wasting time getting his stamina

and mind used to sitting in school all day. Think about what a headstart that

can be! I can't speak for every program out there though so I would loook into

what specifics they offer and how the program is structured. Good luck!!

IMDSA Newsletter Editor

Mom to Aidan (6) MDS, a (5), Addie (3), Evan (almost 1)

stephanie@...

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