School for Elementary Age Children

August 25, 2006

In a message dated 8/25/2006 7:30:05 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

meowwest@... writes:

I was also told we might end up in a private school that

they will pay for (I think it's called the School in Berwyn,

PA). Does anyone have any feedback on what is real helpful with

dual diagnosis children (elementary age). Our developmental Ped did

write in her report to continue with the autism support class.

Hiya Cat. Remember me? Donna Duffey? We met at the convention in

Philly. Good to see you *over here*. The School uses the TEACCH

method for autism. TEACCH uses picture systems and scheduling. I checked

it out years ago. I have to be honest, I was REALLY impressed with the

TEACCH method, but was NOT happy with what I saw at . I knew

instantly

it wasn't the place for Maddie. I'll tell you 3 things right off the bat

that *clued* me in. Number 1, I mentioned that I noticed all the doors were

left open and what do they do if you have a *runner* like Maddie. The

woman replied with " Well, that's why we have STOP signs at the end of all the

corridors " . Uh, NOPE, wouldn't work with Maddie!!! Then, during the tour,

I noticed a little tiny cinderblock room (I mean SUPER small). She wouldn't

have said anything, but I asked what it was. So she had to tell

me.......it was their non-compliance room. Told me that she herself wasn't

*for

it*, but the powers that be felt the need for it. She said that " thankfully,

we've only had to use it a couple times " . Whoa!!!!! Then finally, I asked

her if they used any components of the Floortime method (which we used with

Maddie for years) and her reply was, " No, simply because we don't have the

space " . HUH? I was annoyed...why didn't she just be honest and admit she

didn't know what it was. The amount of space you have has nothing to do w

ith Floortime, but she assumed it did because of the name. Oh, and one more

thing.....no one seemed to be smiling that day. The kids, the teachers, no

one. It felt rote and cold to me.

Now I haven't been there in 7 years, so it could be very different now. I

suggest you go and visit yourself. Visit other schools as well. Here is a

list of the private schools that could be options for your son. Check

them ALL out. When I went to Melmark, I instantly felt it was the right

place

for Maddie. Good luck,

Donna

P.S. Oh, here's that

site.....http://www.pde.state.pa.us/special_edu/cwp/view.asp?a=177 & Q=61435 & speci\

al_eduNav=%7C5287%7C

Just copy and paste it to your browser.

August 25, 2006

Hi, My name is Cat and I'm new to this board. My son is four

and in a 5 day a week Autism Class with the Intermediate Unit. I

have three other children ages 2 to 7. We just went to our yearly

Developmental Ped appointment downtown in Philly and we were told he

probably has " severe " delays, his skills are still at the 12-18

month level. The class he is in is great. My only complaint is it

doesn't address his life skills needs....which he does need. We

intend to transition him to the school district next year (and not

repeat PreK - our intermediate unit is in a 2 million+ deficit). My

concern is our school district has the Autism Support Program in One

School and the Life Skills in another School. I'm afraid they will

see his MR level and just put him in the Life Skills and he will not

get the Autism Support (which he really needs and has helped in his

progress). I was also told we might end up in a private school that

they will pay for (I think it's called the School in Berwyn,

PA). Does anyone have any feedback on what is real helpful with

dual diagnosis children (elementary age). Our developmental Ped did

write in her report to continue with the autism support class.

We don't start the transition process until January but I would

rather have the time to research and understand what is going on and

is best for him not best for the admin at the school.

Thanks,

Cat W.

August 25, 2006

Cat: Welcome! Who did you see at CHOP?

Liz-Mom to Tori 6 1/2 yrs.