Early Intervention Transition into Public School?

Question

I've been being pushed very hard by my child's therapists about getting this eval and adding that therapy and getting this to happen right away before he turns 3. What happens then? He's developmentally delayed. Does he turn into a pumpkin or something at age 3? Why all of this pressure all the time about everything? They said that he's out of the intervention program at age 3 and becomes the responsibility of the school district in assisting. Has anyone out there been through these things? What can I expect the school district to do with a toddler? Will I be forced to send him to school on a little yellow bus at age 3? Is it still my choice if I want to find private services for him or get a consultant to teach me what to do for him? I'm not ready to send a 3 year old to public school already for 5 days per week!

Answer 1

No matter what anyone tells you, YOU are the parent and YOU make the decisions..
PLEASE go to www.schwablearning.org and there is a drop down box that says 'how may we help you'?
Drop this box down and click on 'i need to connect with other parents' when you get to the next page, click on 'parent to parent message board'
you'll have to sign up for free to use their board.
This is the BEST place on the internet for this type of help..

Answer 2

Early intervention services typically ends at age 3 with a transition to a preschool program with the school districts picking up the therapy sessions that he receives now. This comes from a federal law unfortunately and influences the funding of the program.

A special education preschool program can last a couple hours a day several days a week to a full week depending on the program. He would receive classroom instruction and therapies as outlined in his Individual Education Plan.

There is an option for a mainstream placement in a regular preschool. However, it can be pretty difficult depending on the area to locate one of these programs. Another option would be Head Start. Your county's Intermediate Unit should have more information on the placements out there in your county.

You mentioned something about getting private services for your son. Typically this is an expensive option depending on the area which can range from $50 to $150 per session. Health insurance typically covers a limited amount of sessions per calendar year, but you need to consult with your health insurance company for the exact amount.

Have you held the transition plan meeting or even looked into the special education preschool program? I have included a reading on it written by a New Jersey group.

I have included an article on it from Wrightslaw.com which should give you some more answers on it. In addition, I have included a few other resources on the subject.

http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/ei.index.htm
http://www.njeis.org/book/contents.htm
http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/pep/pz.html
http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/pep/research.html
http://www.reacheverychild.com/specialed/preschool/index.html
http://www.state.ct.us/sde/deps/early/PreschoolSE/index.htm
http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/preschool/brochure.htm
http://www.ade.state.az.us/earlychildhood/preschool/programs/presch
http://www.brighttots.com/Preschool_Special_Education.html

Answer 3

Why all the pressure?If you are in USA, there is a great pressure on all kids, parents and school staff to "leave no child behind". Most states have testing all through school to assure parents that their students are learning enough to pass the state standards set by your state leading to high school graduation.
In my state even special education students must show a full year's growth every year..always measured by tests!
Expectations for kindergartners to enter first grade reading and adding and subtracting are higher than 10 years ago.
The more a child falls behind his or her peers, the more difficult to catch up.
I feel for you, luckily you have some good advice and thousands of us out here experiencing the same things! Read to him every day, play children's tapes and songs, take him places and above all explain what you are doing, where you are going, who family and friends are, ask him questions about what he thinks, accept his answers and expose him to as many kid-friendly activities at the public library and community. That enrichment will pay off in the long run!

Answer 4

i don't have a son/grandson w/ autism yet i materials you the perspective of a Speech Therapist. the excellent ingredient to do is introduce some clever signs and indicators to him and whomever he comes into touch with (brothers, sisters, autns, uncles, mom, dad, and so on.). pass to the library or bookshop and purchase an indication language dictionary ... then discover those phrases: consume, drink, bathing room, mom, dad. learn those 5 signs and indicators and instruct them to him. (additionally proceed with the signs and indicators that the early intervention application is coaching - confirm the two one among you're signing the comparable way.) i could reproduction the signing photos from the dictionary in order that whilst he gets to uncomplicated college, they're going to understand the signs and indicators to boot. shop coaching him greater signs and indicators till you sense he has sufficient to talk what he needs/desires. different clever signs and indicators must be grandmother, grandfather, wait, greater, want, provide up, help, mattress/drained, candy, automobile, pass, sluggish, and so on. in spite of pertains to him ... if he likes puzzles, instruct him puzzle so he can request it. I genuinely have observed with austistic persons, they try on schedules. So every time he needs to pass someplace, tell him in strengthen and supply him sufficient warning. in simple terms because of fact he can no longer verbally enable you understand something, he can nevertheless hear and understand.