desperate tenessee

[Guest guest]

Hi Tina. I'm just getting to my listen-up emails. I have not yet read any

responses to your email about your daughter's education so I apologize if I'm

repeating suggestions. I just wanted to write a quick note to let you know that

you can make it work without making the long commute to the Deaf school. Have

you talked to the Deaf school about your dilemma? What suggestions have they

given you?

You mentioned that your daughter uses signed english. Are you going to be

phasing that out or are you continuing with a TC approach? I'm unsure what your

goals are because it's usually suggested that to learn to listen with the CI a

child should concentrate on the auditory skills rather than the visual. I

believe there can be a balance however.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience with the local school. I know how

frustrating that can be. But you can make it work. The system is set up to

help your child reach her goals. You'll need to be on top of things and

advocate for her at the local school.

My son, , spent two years in a special education preschool and now is in a

regular mainstream preschool. He has always gone to public school and had an

IEP. He is 5.5 years old and has had his CI since 20 months. He has done very

well. I have always done a lot with him at home to encourage his speech and

language development. Teachers think he is very bright.

Tina, I believe you can help your daughter wherever you choose to educate her.

If her primary mode of communication is sign then you will have to have services

in her IEP to accomodate that. She can get a TOD or a language facilitator or

interpreter... someone to assist her in the regular ed preschool working toward

a goal that you establish for her. The teachers must understand her needs and

keep her equipment on and working properly.

Of course you could home school, but it sounds like that might add even more

stress on you. Again, I don't know the specifics of your situation but I just

wanted you to know that you can make it work.

K

's mom, 5.5 years old, MEDEL CI at 20 months