Worried about starting preschool
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Worried about starting preschool
| Sat, 02-11-2006 - 1:51am |
My 4-year-old son might have AS (OT's and child behavior therapists have all thought so) and we go for a full eval in March. He starts public preschool next fall and I'm worried that the diagnoses and tests, etc. won't be far enough along to get any cooperation from his new school. The information concerning IEP's, school responsibility, parent involvement, etc. is just overwhelming! He has such a hard time in group situations even after months of behavior modification classes and occupational therapy; he's been thrown out of five daycares in 2 years. Help! Anybody have any advice?

Welcome to the board. It sounds like you have made a terrific start in assisting your son and finding out the real story about what is going on with him -- and that is great!
Being unable to focus in a group takes a lot of work and help for our kids, and 4 is still very young. These skills may take much longer. Is there any way to have him placed in a therapeutic daycare? My son learned group circle-ness starting at age 3 at the hands of real professionals many hours a day. At age 8, he still has his moments, but is really skilled at this now.
It seems to me first of all that March is plenty of time to get your school distrcict on board for the Fall, but ALSO have you called the school district about having him evaluated now through the school district for services? They will take into account your outside evals, but they will want to do their own educational evals anyways.
The very best way to get started here is to meet parents of other spectrum children where you live, esp. of slightly older kids, support groups, etc. Maybe your OT, other therapists can help arrange this. If you are going to try placing your child in mainstream education (we never have), you will want to find out how your school district does with working with children with sensory differences and spectrum issues! There is NOTHING more useful than learning the ins and outs of a school district than from been-there-done-that parents, plus the support and friendship of parents who get it is simply invaluable.
Stay in touch, ask questions here and at IEP Board here at iVillage. We won't know about your specific school district, and believe me, everyone's experiences vary radically, but there are moms here with truly savvy advice and support.
yours,
Sara
ilovemalcolm
Hi! Welcome to the board! My son is in the 1st grade, but I remember being nervous about preschool too! Nathan's school took the dr's eval into account when setting up his IEP...I'm sure that's probably why your school is also waiting for the eval results. It is hard waiting though. I like to get things done as soon as possible. Waiting around is difficult, especially when you feel like you have so much to do to get your ds ready for school.
Anyway, I just wanted to welcome you to the board. Glad to have you here with us!
michelle
Not sure what state you are in and I'm not sure it makes a difference as most of this stuff is based on IDEA, but if you request an evaluation from your school board, they HAVE to do that evaluation within a timely fashion (I think it's even mandated to 30 days, but I'm not completely sure about that). Here in PA where I live the Intermediate Unit picked up our case from Early Intervention and did the Evaluation Review (ER) based on my son's EI Therapists, with the exception of the School Psychologists report. They added the doctor's report into the file, but it wasn't necessary. In fact, my understanding was that they only would use that report if it was in direct conflict to what the School Psychologist reported. The ER is what they use to write the IEP.
I know it's so scary, but you are in the driver's seat with you son's education. If you have any questions, I would head over the IEP Board here and ask the CL (her name is Steph) what the law is regarding your son.
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ppiep
She can tell you what the school system has to do and she is awesome at giving advice on the best way to handle problems (i.e. when to go in with your lawyers screaming and when to finesse and cajole them).
It sounds like your school system hasn't been all that forthcoming with assistance and information, which is a shame, but perhaps they just don't know any better and you and your son will be their teachers in this. Assume the best about the school professionals is my advice and believe that they want the absolute best for your son, at least until they prove you otherwise. And always get them to explain any and all options.
Recently I was reading Susan Senator's book, Making Peace With Autism. In it she talks about all the problems she has had with her son Nat and his education. One thing that really resonated with me is piece of advice she had given to her from one of the first doctors to diagnose her son when he was four I believe. When she asked him about options for treatment and education (this was over 10 years ago before a lot of info was out there) he gave her tons of different treatment options with the caveat that not all of them work...that all autistic kids are different. But he did say that within two weeks of his being in a class, she would know if the class that Nat was in was the right place for him. And Susan says that this rule is very true. The places that Nat has had trouble, if she had listened to that voice inside her she would have pulled him out. She knew within two weeks judging by Nat's behavior if a class was a good fit for him.
I know hindsight is 20/20, but as strong advocates for our children, we have to sometimes allow ourselves to be difficult and nosy and perhaps even "pleasantly obstinate" (my husband's definition of saying no with a smile on your face) when it come to dealing with school officials. I wish you lots of good luck and many success!!
Take care,
Gemma
Hi! Thanks for your answer--I think that the hardest part about AS is trying to tell people around you what's going on, when their conception of behavioral issues is just that--behavior! It's great finding other people who are living with AS and related issues. This is great! Thanks again--
Ruth