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Post by alecsdad on Jun 1, 2004 22:21:59 GMT -5
Hi All
We are at a crossroad regarding the choice of schools for Alec who turned three in January. He presently attends A.C.D.S. (assoc for children with D.S.) for a half day. They have done a good job acclimating him to the classroom but we have not been "wowed" with his developmental progress.
I would appreciate any feedback from your experience or knowledge.
We are trying to determine whether to keep him at ACDS in the fall for a 5-hour program (full day) or to move him to a different school. At ACDS he would continue to be with all DS kids. The other school has a more diverse class with kids that have different levels and types of disabilities and some typical children.
Thanks a bunch
Mike
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Post by Debi on Jun 1, 2004 22:49:54 GMT -5
Just my imput but I think if you have the option.. a mix is always better. Different kids, different challenges, high needs kids, low needs kids.. I think that often you get a better mix of therapies/teaching if the staff has experience with a diverse group. One thing tho: as you look at different programs look at the staff and the kids. If the kids AND the staff seem to be happy and thriving that is probably the right program for your child. BTW Nice to see a Dad posting too.. we love to hear from ALL parents; not just the female ones!  |
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Post by amyzimoski on Jun 2, 2004 8:52:28 GMT -5
I think a different environment would be ideal. I found that having my daughter in a regular pre-school was best for her. She was of course put in a special ed class but as time went on she was allowed to be in an inclusion class. This proved to be the very best for her. I find that the more my child is around a "regular" class room she does more. Someone told me that to help you grow as a person you should make friends that are smarted than you. That way you can learn from them. Any whooo that is what I think..hope it helps!
Have a great day!
Amy
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Post by ashliesmomheidi on Jun 2, 2004 9:08:48 GMT -5
We have always mainstreamed Ashlie as well so she has always been with a mix of kids and I wouldnt have it any other way, Ashlie has and does learn so much from "typical" kids and they actually push her harder to try until she gets it so the motivation alone is worth it.
I would go see the other school and see if you can take Alec with you so he can see the classroom and just observe.
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Post by meghans_mom on Jun 2, 2004 11:39:44 GMT -5
hi Mike!
welcome to UnoMas!
Hope you don't mind me jumping in here...my daughter attends ACDS too - she's a month older than Alec so she's in pre-grad (one of the classrooms you visited last week).
I don't know about the other school - but it sounds good too. Is that the DDI school in Northport?
If you like ACDS another option might be the half-day classroom there and a "typical" preschool 2 or 3 mornings a week (or vice versa). It's a long day for the kids but I know a couple of parents who do that and they say their kids do really well with it.
Also - next year (I guess when Alec turns 4?) He may be eligible to enter the integrated class. It's a mix of 1/2 kids (most w/ DS) and 1/2 typical kids -- this is where Meghan will be in the fall. The only problem w/ the integrated class is the child receives less services than in the other classrooms...but i figure the exposure to typical kids and other situations will (hopefully) make up for it.
And, remember - you can always put Alec in the other program and if it doesn't work out you can switch him back...but then that involves alot of change for Alec too.
if you want to talk more, email me and i can give you my number or email..but your wife knows me too - so i can always give it to her.
good luck in your decision...i know it's not an easy one!
laurie
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Post by Alice on Jun 2, 2004 12:33:59 GMT -5
Welcome Mike!
Every situation is different, I just want to let you know ours.
Luke is 4 and attending a pre-school for special children. In the classroom they have 12 kids (8 with some sort of disabilities and 4 role models), one teacher with BS degree, and 2 aides.
Unfortunately this wonderful pre-school is only for a half day. Many times we tried to put Luke for the other half to any other regular pre-school, so he would be around typical kids and have some progress.
And know what? We did not find any better than this one he is attending now.
I am for mix too.
Good luck,
Alice
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Post by Chris on Jun 2, 2004 15:02:12 GMT -5
Sarah will turn three in September and I have been looking for the ideal preschool setting for her and haven't been happy with any. Ideally, I wanted her to attend a regular preschool but our district doesn't have any. I haven't found a private preschool that is willing to take her either (only is she is potty trained). I have compromised and decided to put her in a preprimary impaired class. When I visited the class, the kids seemed so far ahead of Sarah. When we walked in the kids said, "ah, a baby!". I looked at them and looked at Sarah and was shocked that she looked like a baby compared to these kids!  This class had mostly older kids but they are splitting the class next year by age. I have also been told that if she attends the self contained special ed school that she will get more services. That just doesn't seem to be abiding by IDEA. If she needs ot, pt and st for educational reasons, shouldn't the school district provide them regardless of where she attends school??? Sarah's IEP is Friday and I have been losing tons of sleep over it. It seemed like we had such a long time before she would start preschool and I had been so concerned about her health/feeding issues that I have not educated myself about her rights. My advice is to look at the preschool classes and go with your gut. I chose the least restrictive environment that the district had available. Sarah isn't around very many children so I felt she needed good role models. I would appreciate any advice. What would some of you do if you could do it over again? Chris |
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Post by Debbie on Jun 2, 2004 18:02:15 GMT -5
Hello Mike. It is nice to see another dad on here!
I don't have a personal first hand account for you as far as being a parent. You see, I have Down syndrome. I have Mosaic Down syndrome. I was in a regular Headstart program before I entered first grade. This was back in the sixties too. There is a slightly different time frame on this subject. As far as I know, I was the only one with a learning disability in my class. My learning was different and the teacher's tried to help me as best as they knew how. Once summer came and went, I was back to learning it all over again.
I agree with everyone here. You have to go with your gut and do what you feel is best.
I eventually ended up in regular classes in junior high and high school. I was in special education classes for the subject's I was weak in. I graduated with my class in cap and gown. ;D I was nineteen.
Debbie, An adult who has Mosaic Down syndrome
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Post by christie on Jun 2, 2004 21:38:47 GMT -5
My thoughts are go and see every and any programs that may be available to you and compare, see what the population of kids will be in the different programs. You know your child best and what would work best, so observe and if need be go back and observe again Maybe bring Alec to some of the programs and see how he does. Thats what we did with Chris, we brougth him in and let him visit for a while to see how all interacted. Actually every program I have ever visited here in my part of Jersey, requests the child come in and spend a few with that class before any decissions are made.
One thing I have always tried to keep in mind when looking for a program for Chris is I neither want him on the low end or the high end, right in the middle is what I look for. That way I feel he has something to stive for and also still has good self esteem 
Best of Luck, I know how hard picking the right program can be, but keep in mind if any program you pick truly does not work out, you can pick another, nothing is written in stone.
CC
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This class had mostly older kids but they are splitting the class next year by age.