Only child in district with DS

[marisa]

Tomorrow I have Laura's evaluation planning meeting with the school district. She will be 3 in May and we are going through the transition process. One of my big issues is that Laura is the only child in the district with DS. The last child they had was something like 17 yrs ago! I am in a populated area, just happened to be in a small district. I was actually shocked to hear this. Anyway, I am not sure how I feel about it. On one hand, they can't compare her to other kids because there are none with ds. On the other, they have no experience educating people with DS. I would appreciate any thoughts, experience, etc that you guys have. Oh, and just to add, the district class is small. Maybe 5 kids in her class with a teacher and two aides.

Thanks
Marisa

Guess I should have put this in the education section.

[meghans_mom]

Marisa
Meghan (who just started kindy this fall) is the only child in our district with DS...she is the FIRST CHILD EVER in our district with DS!
it is a scary prospect, as I'm sure you know...but after a few months of bumps, the district has been wonderful.
Meghan's teacher has been very good, has borrowed books from me to learn about DS & how children with DS learn. I do feel she goes a little "easy" on meghan because her expectations are not very high...but all in all I am pleased there.
The district overall was very resistant to any help from me or Meghan's preschool (which is a specialized preschool for kids w/ DS)...they didnt want any training or a consultant, etc.
But now, almost 5 months later, they are asking for that help.

Our class is not as small as yours...there are probably 100 - 130 kids in kindy, with the classes being about 20. There is a teacher, assistant, and Meghan has a 1 on 1 aide. She is fully integrated into a typical classroom. It is a half day program and meghan receives most of her services AFTER the school day is over (at my insistance)...she does have resource room in and out of the classroom 3 days during the school day and a push in/pull out PT during gym.

Our district is very academically focused...one of the most desirable on Long Island, and in the top 10% in the entire country. I was scared to death to send meghan but really have been pleasantly surprised. we are moving over the summer out of district, and I am sorry at this point that we have to do this....I think Meghan would have done well there the next few years.

The only problem with the district is that for future, if Meghan can't be fully integrated, there were no other alternatives in the district for her -- no self contained classes, no integrated classes, etc. Special-ed is realtively new for our district...having only started keeping kids in district (rather than sending them to neighboring districts) in the past 10-15 years.

So, I am not too experienced with any of this stuff but if you need to talk to me, PM me and I can give you my direct email address or phone number.

Good luck - laurie

[marisa]

I went to the meeting today and it went very well. There was a substitute secretary there and she accidently brought me to the classroom instead of the conference room. I was so happy about her mistake!! I got to speak with the teacher and check out the class and the kids, though only briefly. Laura made herself quite at home and I had to drag her out!! The teacher said she had never worked with kids with DS and said any info I had to please give it to her. She seemed like she would be very open to my suggestions. And the class room was so cute, just what you would picture a preschool room to look like!

I stress and stress and stress over this school thing, but I really believe it is all going to work out for the best.

Marisa

[Renee']

My peanut is the only child with DS in her school. I was pretty surprised because it is a large school. So far they are trying hard to do the best thing for her.

[hidyperson]

Dont' throw mud - let them know how she similar to the other children, but do not pretend she isn't differant. You'll be doing her and the teachers no favours if you do. ( now the happy face )

[CC]

Chris is 14 now and in a private school just for ones with exceptional needs but from 3 years old till he was 9, I believe, he was in our home district public school and he too was the only child with DS. We live in a very very large town, actually the largest town in our area and I was kind of surprised that no one else with DS was in the schools. I know of a couple other kids that also have DS that did not attend our public schools.

CC ~

[andrewsmom]

Oh Marisa....Andrew actually has his planning meeting TODAY!!! He will also be the only child with DS in his school. The school did have a little girl with DS last year, but she moved away. I can understand how you feel. Before this little girl our school didn't have a child with DS in years either.

I'm glad your meeting went well. I'll have to let you know how ours went this afternoon!

-Trisha

[Claire]

Adam now 9 is also the only child in our communitty with DS. We took it as an opportunity to give awareness and asked them to learn along with us. They seemed very impressed by that.
So when mistakes were made we discussed them, and when something special like a joy stick for his computer was needed they were more then willing to accomodate. All the therapist also play a big role in what your child needs are at school.
My impression is that if you present your child realistically to others which means that he is a child like any other children but with some learning difficulties then they see him as a child first.
Hope this helps.

[trishasmom]

Trisha is in a private school (at school district's expense) She is the only one there that has DS but she fits in so well because of the autism. She has been going there for almost 2 years now and is doing so much better in all areas. They are used to dealing with the autism but the DS throws them at times. I keep reminding them, the DS is not what is being treated. :-)