Need some preschool advice
Find a Conversation
Need some preschool advice
| Sun, 09-24-2006 - 8:52am |
Ok, so we are looking to move Bobby to his 4th preschool in this past year.
| Sun, 09-24-2006 - 8:52am |
Ok, so we are looking to move Bobby to his 4th preschool in this past year.
Is it possible to do a transitional trial period? For instance, he stays in his regular class but then 1 day a week he tries out the new class, then 2 days, etc until he is transitioned? That way you will be able to see how he does before totally cutting the ties and switching. He will still have his current support system and routine in the other class during the transition which will be easier on him.
One thing I found with the little ones, is sometimes it is good to challenge them and put them somewhere a little high as long as it will be a supportive placement (ie good sped teachers). You will be amazed sometimes on how they will surprise you, particularly right at this age. Kids often make huge developmental leaps right around that 5yo mark when thier brains make a big jump in development (which is why I think it coincides with the typical start of when most kids go to school)
Renee
Hi Tina,
I just wanted to say that I know how you feel. Eric is now 4.5 and I almost had a nervous breakdown trying to figure out his pre-K placement. It was similar for us. In his sweet littel typical private neighborhood pre-k, he could be "fine" at age 2. He didn't talk, but he could sit for a short period in circle time if it interested him, and often it did bc it had to do with 123's and abc's. But he had no interactive play, no functional speech. The teachers' there were well-meaning, he was not a discipline problem, just in his own world. They just did not have experience with kids like him.
But when he turned 3 we visited a lot the of public school pre-k Ese situations. All the ASD classes seemed comfortable, watching Eric. But from our parental POV, the class which had only 4 ASD kids with 8 NT role models seemed better. Problem was, in our area, school with this program was not in the greatest, safest, neighborhood, so there was/is shortage of role model kids. However, we stuck with it for a year, as we liked the teacher. At one point there were only the HF kids since the role models dropped out. It didn't matter bc the teacher was so good. At age 3 Eric had already hit all the academic goals for Kindy, but he still has sensory, behavioral issues that keep him back.
This year, after the ASD moms like me tried to promote the teacher/program, there are more role model kids. It is great, but not exponentially greater than last year. Which makes me think it is the teacher who is the key to success.
So I would say Renee's idea is good, see if you can try it out and get a good feel for the teacher. We were lucky. Eric's teacher is really good, and as the system is set up, Eric is getting 2 yrs. of pre-K with this same teacher. We are praying in that it will put us in good standing for the future options, which are so minimal in our school system, it is all about what you can negotiate in your IEP, after kindy, so I hear, advocates are essential. It is a shame.
However, I know you get more flies with honey and if you have a teacher or admin person with some special ed knowledge, you can really help your child by befriending those people. I don't mean to sound jaded, it just seems if you have good relationships with the professionals yourself, you can get more done. Not that fighting is not sometimes required, I know it is. Maybe even moreso for our kids who are on the edge of the spectrum. And Eric is only 4.5 and I see this already. I have already had to do it.
Anyway, hang in there. Keep exploring the options and meeting the teachers until you get a good feeling. The school year just started, so you have time. If you get a good sped teacher, it can make all the difference.
I'm not sure if this helps. Just wanted to offer sympathy. Eric is in a good spot at school now, but I am terrified of Kindy. Feel like we will be starting all over again (our own neighborhood school--which is new--did not have pre-k and you only go out of region if your home school does not have the services. Our neighborhood school is terrific for NT kids, but not so sure about our ASD kiddos. Time will tell. Gulp!)
Thinking of you.
Katherine