Guest guest Posted May 11, 2003 Report Share Posted May 11, 2003 Hi Kate I hesitate to reply to most posts because I'm UK & I doubt the virtue of inflicting my thoughts & experiences on health & education issues that on paper seem so dissimilar to those in the US. But what the heck............................... Yr girl sounds a bit like mine - did you read my post to Kim ( 3 y/o separation) ? I think it's relevant cos yr question really hinges on how the staff at the kindergarten will handle yr daughter plus also the mix of children. The latter is real luck of the draw unfortunately. Most kids in the UK now do full days when they start Reception ( kindergarten equiv.) straight away - & has absolutely thrived there. So consequently - I think you are right to query this half day option in respect of your daughters IQ test. Just personally speaking I think the term ' mixed disabilities' may well not be appropriate. I'd be more positive if they could continue speech & lang. spec ed classes - but mixed ? I know the Education systems are different but in UK mainstream schools we have a SENCO - a special needs co-ordinator - this is someone who can liaise between parent/child/teacher & also tailor work exercises & environment so all can have a more productive time during class. isn't special needs but the SENCO has been invaluable to us & a really good reference point for such a discussion as the one you have raised. I wonder, if you do have something equivalent & , aside from the fact that it should be your mission to befriend him/her, if they could put you in contact with parents of older 'challenged' children at the school. Stories of their experiences would be very interesting. Also is there any chance of a meeting between yourself, child & kindergarten staff ?. I was lucky enough to get this in the Summer Term prior to the September start - I was so worried about her poor expressive lang. & articulation that I was considering delaying her start till January - hence the call for the meeting. I was so glad I did it - as a result started from day one with only 5 other children ( some UK schools have staggered intakes ) so the staff could concentrate on 'tuning in' to her. I think this was key in helping her settle in. If I hadn't have done it she would have started at the back end of Sept with 14 other kids & that would not have been a good start for her. Can you get direct contact with people who'll be with your daughter in the new kindergarten ? I'd strongly recommend trying. Good luck Gin & 5.4, dx verb & oral dysprax + aural & tactile DSI [ ] help with an IEP > Need some advice here. I have a 5 yr old daughter about to enter > kindergarten. > > She is testing average in language as well as on IQ testing. She is > comfortable with her academics but is still having problems > expressing herself. She is diagnosed with verbal apraxia as well as > low muscle tone. > > Does anyone have any advice in terms of full day kindergarten? Was > their child able to handle the long day. Currently she is doing 1/2 > day pre-k in a special ed class for children with speech and language > issues. > > The board of Ed is suggesting a 1/2 day in a mixed disabilities class > and 1/2 day mainstream. I almost feel like the extra repetition may > not be a challenge especially if she is one of the higher functioning > kids. I don't think it will hel her socially except to just offer her > a crutch with the higher student, teacher ratio. > > Not sure what will work but open to ideas. > > Thanks. > > kate in NY > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2003 Report Share Posted May 11, 2003 iepmadness wrote: > > Does anyone have any advice in terms of full day kindergarten? Was > their child able to handle the long day. Currently she is doing 1/2 > day pre-k in a special ed class for children with speech and language > issues. > > The board of Ed is suggesting a 1/2 day in a mixed disabilities class > and 1/2 day mainstream. I almost feel like the extra repetition may > not be a challenge especially if she is one of the higher functioning > kids. I don't think it will hel her socially except to just offer her > a crutch with the higher student, teacher ratio. We are considering the same type program for my 5 year old. Our neuro did write in his letter about the low tone causing fatigue issues which he felt like would give me more leverage in asking for unusual things. At this point I'm planning on insisting that he be mainstreamed into the am K class and that he receive his therapies in the non-categorical class after lunch and then I'd pick him up at 1:30 rather than the usual 3:30 until he gets a bit less overwhelmed and fatigued. I think the non-cat class will be beneficial because of the very low ratio (5:1) this year and the fact that they do inclusion with the pm K class so my son will get 2 chances at some of the fine motor stuff he needs more repitions of. A lot of it depends on who else is in the non-cat class though as my son is cognitively gifted so it's tough finding a good match. I think it will make the transition from a small preschool setting easier and by first grade hopefully he'll receive most of his services in an inclusion setting. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2003 Report Share Posted May 11, 2003 Kate- My daughter was enrolled in a Autistic Preschool program. Even though she is not autistic this program excells on language and has really helped her gain back some speech. We are thinking about it for 1st grade too. She has done really well and i hate to change a good thing. [ ] help with an IEP > Need some advice here. I have a 5 yr old daughter about to enter > kindergarten. > > She is testing average in language as well as on IQ testing. She is > comfortable with her academics but is still having problems > expressing herself. She is diagnosed with verbal apraxia as well as > low muscle tone. > > Does anyone have any advice in terms of full day kindergarten? Was > their child able to handle the long day. Currently she is doing 1/2 > day pre-k in a special ed class for children with speech and language > issues. > > The board of Ed is suggesting a 1/2 day in a mixed disabilities class > and 1/2 day mainstream. I almost feel like the extra repetition may > not be a challenge especially if she is one of the higher functioning > kids. I don't think it will hel her socially except to just offer her > a crutch with the higher student, teacher ratio. > > Not sure what will work but open to ideas. > > Thanks. > > kate in NY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2003 Report Share Posted May 11, 2003 Kate, my daughter Meghan went into a full day kindergarten after 1/2 pre k. She did just fine. This was a class of 20 kids only 4 had any special needs. Meghan is also diagnosed with verbal apraxia. She did have an inclusion specialist that was her 1 on 1 within the classroom. She did go out for speech and at that time some PT. I think 2 different 1/2 day kindergarten classes would lack continuity and be a little confusing. This set up was offered to us for Meghan, but then the full day kindergarten became available and we chose that. I was never unhappy that we did. Joyce (mother of 12 year old Meghan) Medway, MA [ ] help with an IEP > Need some advice here. I have a 5 yr old daughter about to enter > kindergarten. > > She is testing average in language as well as on IQ testing. She is > comfortable with her academics but is still having problems > expressing herself. She is diagnosed with verbal apraxia as well as > low muscle tone. > > Does anyone have any advice in terms of full day kindergarten? Was > their child able to handle the long day. Currently she is doing 1/2 > day pre-k in a special ed class for children with speech and language > issues. > > The board of Ed is suggesting a 1/2 day in a mixed disabilities class > and 1/2 day mainstream. I almost feel like the extra repetition may > not be a challenge especially if she is one of the higher functioning > kids. I don't think it will hel her socially except to just offer her > a crutch with the higher student, teacher ratio. > > Not sure what will work but open to ideas. > > Thanks. > > kate in NY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2003 Report Share Posted May 12, 2003 > The board of Ed is suggesting a 1/2 day in a mixed disabilities class > and 1/2 day mainstream. You should visit the two classes they are proposing and, if possible, speak to parents who are receiving similar program placements. In my older kids regular classes there is a schedule the class maintains where they similar activities on similar day/times. In their classes you could not effectively cut the day in half and receive a quality educational experience. In our district, the teaching team works out the schedule between the regular classroom and the resource room to maximize the child's experience and educational support. For example, a child might be pulled out for reading, but stay in class for writing, math, and free play. If they get pulled out during specials (computers, art, spanish) they make up those with another class (a less-than-ideal situation). All of this should be discussed before you agree to a class placement. Margaret...'s Mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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