Re: School

[Guest guest]

Judith,

This is a tough decision for you to make. I remember when Max was that age,

he was in an early intervention program and I was there with him at the same

time. We moms did leave for a little while, though, for our own support

group while the kids were busy doing their therapies/work.

It just seems like your two babies are awfully young to be going to a school

environment for two hours a day - without you. Then again, it has been 11

years since we did this, so maybe times have changed? They are probably

making these recommendations because it costs less in the long run. On the

" good " side, however, it would be easier on you and the kids if they are in

this program because then it would be a consistent thing that would take

care of everything at once. For me, though, it would be hard for me to

separate from my babies at such a young age.

I probably have not helped one bit here, but at least you have my opinion,

for what it is worth. You are going to have to become quite strong and

forceful as you find your way through the special ed maze, however. They

may try to do what works for them, not necessarily for you and your

children. I would definitely put my foot down regarding the separate

programs!

As a special educator myself, I can tell you that they do try to do what

they think is best for your children, for the most part, but they have many

rules and budget restrictions at the same time. Sometimes it seems that

they are trying to make a square peg fit into a round hole and that just

won't work for our children. The states are cracking down on services in an

effort to cut costs and it is making us, both teachers and parents,

miserable. It may look like they are trying to take advantage of you, when

all they are trying to do is offer the services that they can. Of course,

they will also try to take the easy way out, hoping you will go for it and

their lives will be easier, too. But if it does not seem right to you,

don't go for it and don't sign any papers.

If I can help you in any way, please let me know. And be prepared for many

years of this. Make yourselves strong and verbal now. The squeaky wheel

gets the grease.

Jodi

[Guest guest]

Judith and Steve,

Jake (same age as ) currently receives PT, Speech/OT, and

Nutrition services. We live in Northern Virginia and our county

provides all of his services in our home. They really like services

to be in the child's natural environment (daycare or home...wherever

the child normally spends his/her day). Once Jake turns 2 years old

we have the option (if he qualifies)of putting him in a school

environment or keeping him in a home environment until he is 3.

Depending on the child's needs they either go to the school 3 or 5

times a week for about 3 hours (I think).

At Jake's age I like the home environment for him. I think he is

most comfortable receiving his services here. It also makes my life

much easier with his feeding and nap schedule!!

However, when Jake turns 2 , we might consider the school

environment. I think at that age he might be more accepting of

receiving services outside of the home.

It is a tough decision, and it does not sound like they gave you a

lot of time to decide. One thing you might request is a tour of the

school (or schools) where and would be placed, so that

you could get a better feel for how their day would be structured. I

know our county encourages families to do this.

Good luck with your tough decision.

Alison

> I could really use some help here. (RSS) and (non-

RSS)

> are 16 months old 6/4. has been in the early intervention

> program for PT since he was 4 months old and has since added a

> feeding specialist and dietician. wasn't eligible at that

> time. was just evaluated and qualified for PT, OT, speech

> and developmental. is adding OT.

>

> We are scheduled for 's annual meeting 6/5 and to discuss

> 's entry into the program also 6/5. Their early

intervention

> co-ordinator called me this morning and suggested that due to the

> volume of services that we will be entitled to ( is also due

for

> a development evaluation) we should consider a school setting.

>

> Boy did she give us a lot of time to think and discuss this (I

still

> don't know how to show sarcasim on the computer). Anyway, as I

said,

> they are only 16 months (and were 7 weeks preemie). I (since Steve

> doesn't even know about this yet, he is away and I won't see him

> until tomorrow) don't know what to do.

>

> The program would be 5 days a week for 2 hours each day. It would

be

> difficult to schedule everything if we do it at home, but with

> 's feeding schedule (every 2 hours) it would be difficult to

be

> in a program. The dietician would still come at night to see us

and

> 's feeding person would still need to see him as they " school "

> probably doesn't have one.

>

> Also, they aren't even sure if the same place could properly

> accomadate both children or if they would be better off in

different

> programs (which I don't like the idea of).

>

> What age did anyone else's children start going to a " school? " I

> have a full time nanny so my children have never been out of the

> house in day care.

>

> Thanks for the help,

>

> Judith, Steve, and

[Guest guest]

Judith- what a tough decision! My boys received speech and PT at home, but

they only got it one day a week. For me it was great because I didn't have to

worry about dragging them and all their paraphanalia to another place,

especially with the baby. They started nursery school at 2 and there were a

few kids who were about 21 months. You need to decide what you think is best

for them and stand up for it if you want them to be home. I know for us,

going somewhere with all 3 kids would have been a royal pain. Also is a

setting with other kids going to be too chaotic for them to get a benefit? I

think my kids really benefited from having one on two or 2 on 2 care. Gotta

go, good luck,Liz-Mom of Nate(?RSS)and Sam-33 month old twins and Arianna-13

months

[Guest guest]

Judith,

I'm pretty one sided here, but please realize you know your situation better

than I. 16 months is way too young for them to be in a school environment.

I feel children this young do better in a home environment. received

speech 2X/week for 1 hour/visit, OT 1X/week for an hour, plus we had a

visiting nurse coming in weekly for weight checks. and Jen in

addition received speech 1X/week for an hour as well -- all in our home. It

was a major juggling act for me to follow plus have some " normalcy " in our

house, but for me it was much easier than dragging all 3 somewhere or even

trying to line up a sitter for 1 or 2 of them. Feedings/naps - all that has

got to be considered to see what works best with all these people coming and

going. I was able to schedule all my therapists around this. Being a

multiple I wanted them together as much as possible, but also realized they

needed their 1 on 1 with their therapist too. School at 16 months old would

have sent me crying for days. When turned 3 it was a tough decision

for me to send him to school, but felt at 3 he was ready. At 3 it's great

cause he gets most of his services at school and I get a little more time

with and Jen. At age 3 I was finally ready to kick everybody out of

my house, but not before then. Do what you feel will be best not just for

the kids but for you too. They are young and you need a break just as much

as they do. When they get a little older, school will always be there

waiting.

Cheryl

Mom to , , and -- all 3

[Guest guest]

Hi All...

Wanted to throw in one more perspective:

started daycare (8 kids) school when he was 11 months old.

Amazingly, one benefit of attending daycare is that he began eating solids

much more consistently and completely. The " group " dynamic really encouraged

him to do what the other kids did. So, daycare really took the pressure off

of us for meals, and we seemed to be much more relaxed at dinner time. We

also used the techniques his teacher used to help him eat.

My second son started in a home daycare (5 kids), and upon reflection, all

things being equal, home daycare is probably a much more nurturing

atmosphere. It all depends. We were lucky in that has always had very

loving, nurturing teachers. By the way, I have to tell you, there are days

where I think is better off with other kids than watching me vacuum,

laundry, cook all day!!!

Katy

Fazzolari wrote:

> Judith,

>

> As others have responded, I too think 16 months is too

> young for a daycare setting but many working parents

> have no other options. Dominic just started speech

> one hour per week and it's in my home. Although I

> have to get off work early those days and take him

> home to receive his therapy, I feel the one on one

> attention in his comfortable environment is very

> beneficial. However, if you visit the site and find

> there are adequate facilities, privacy, etc. maybe

> this is a viable option.

>

> I don't want to offend the teachers or special ed

> personnel but I have seen too many instances in which

> the school system wants to do what's most effecient

> for them, not what's best for the child.

>

> You'll make the right decision!

>

> F.

>

> --- Slane wrote:

> > Judith,

> >

> > I'm pretty one sided here, but please realize you

> > know your situation better

> > than I. 16 months is way too young for them to be

> > in a school environment.

> > I feel children this young do better in a home

> > environment. received

> > speech 2X/week for 1 hour/visit, OT 1X/week for an

> > hour, plus we had a

> > visiting nurse coming in weekly for weight checks.

> > and Jen in

> > addition received speech 1X/week for an hour as well

> > -- all in our home. It

> > was a major juggling act for me to follow plus have

> > some " normalcy " in our

> > house, but for me it was much easier than dragging

> > all 3 somewhere or even

> > trying to line up a sitter for 1 or 2 of them.

> > Feedings/naps - all that has

> > got to be considered to see what works best with all

> > these people coming and

> > going. I was able to schedule all my therapists

> > around this. Being a

> > multiple I wanted them together as much as possible,

> > but also realized they

> > needed their 1 on 1 with their therapist too.

> > School at 16 months old would

> > have sent me crying for days. When turned 3

> > it was a tough decision

> > for me to send him to school, but felt at 3 he was

> > ready. At 3 it's great

> > cause he gets most of his services at school and I

> > get a little more time

> > with and Jen. At age 3 I was finally ready

> > to kick everybody out of

> > my house, but not before then. Do what you feel

> > will be best not just for

> > the kids but for you too. They are young and you

> > need a break just as much

> > as they do. When they get a little older, school

> > will always be there

> > waiting.

> >

> > Cheryl

> > Mom to , , and -- all 3

> >

> >

> >

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Judith,

As others have responded, I too think 16 months is too

young for a daycare setting but many working parents

have no other options. Dominic just started speech

one hour per week and it's in my home. Although I

have to get off work early those days and take him

home to receive his therapy, I feel the one on one

attention in his comfortable environment is very

beneficial. However, if you visit the site and find

there are adequate facilities, privacy, etc. maybe

this is a viable option.

I don't want to offend the teachers or special ed

personnel but I have seen too many instances in which

the school system wants to do what's most effecient

for them, not what's best for the child.

You'll make the right decision!

F.

--- Slane wrote:

> Judith,

>

> I'm pretty one sided here, but please realize you

> know your situation better

> than I. 16 months is way too young for them to be

> in a school environment.

> I feel children this young do better in a home

> environment. received

> speech 2X/week for 1 hour/visit, OT 1X/week for an

> hour, plus we had a

> visiting nurse coming in weekly for weight checks.

> and Jen in

> addition received speech 1X/week for an hour as well

> -- all in our home. It

> was a major juggling act for me to follow plus have

> some " normalcy " in our

> house, but for me it was much easier than dragging

> all 3 somewhere or even

> trying to line up a sitter for 1 or 2 of them.

> Feedings/naps - all that has

> got to be considered to see what works best with all

> these people coming and

> going. I was able to schedule all my therapists

> around this. Being a

> multiple I wanted them together as much as possible,

> but also realized they

> needed their 1 on 1 with their therapist too.

> School at 16 months old would

> have sent me crying for days. When turned 3

> it was a tough decision

> for me to send him to school, but felt at 3 he was

> ready. At 3 it's great

> cause he gets most of his services at school and I

> get a little more time

> with and Jen. At age 3 I was finally ready

> to kick everybody out of

> my house, but not before then. Do what you feel

> will be best not just for

> the kids but for you too. They are young and you

> need a break just as much

> as they do. When they get a little older, school

> will always be there

> waiting.

>

> Cheryl

> Mom to , , and -- all 3

>

>

>

__________________________________________________