Toddler with Speech Delay & Advanced Skills what type of pre school program will be best?

Question

My son will turn 3 in the end of May. He is currently receiving therapy for his speech delay and sensory processing issues. He has made huge progress with his speech but is still about 6 months behind his peers. He has also made tremendous progress with his sensory issues. We help him get organized and most days are great with only a few off days.

I recently discovered after talking with my son's therapists that while he has a speech delay he has many strengths and advanced skills. Some skills ranging from a 4 year old to a 1st grader, so I am told. He knows all of his colors, shapes, letters, and how to count up to ten. He can also spell small words completely on his own with magnets, count somewhat accurately up to 20, complete puzzles/games designed for children ages 4+. He can also use the mouse completely on his own to play his favorite educational computer games.

If my son qualifies for SE preschool should I place him there even though he is so bright?

Answer 1

I think it depends. Children learn best from their peers. That is, typically developing children. IF the SE preschool class has typically developing peers from the neighborhood, then I would say, yes, put him in the SE classroom. If there are not peers in the class, I would look for a preschool classroom where you could get the special educator to consult to the teacher where you decide you want him to go.

Special ed classrooms are great and lots of learning can happen, but my guess is your child may need more social interactions as his cognitive skills are so high. Typically, the special ed preschool rooms will have very highly qualified staff and provide excellent structure and consistency. A neighborhood preschool will likely not provide as much structure and consistency. So, I think it needs to come down to peers and relationships (friends) that he can make with kids his age. The quality of school will likely be better in a SE preschool, so if there are typical peers, I would say go with that. If no typical peers, find your own school and ask for consult services.

Answer 2

Being around special education children as I am a volunteer to the high school here in town, I would say depending how many children are in the class, how many teacher's aides there are and if a speech therapist comes in at all. The class I help out with on average have 8-12 kids in there. There's one teacher and two assistants which makes the teacher to student ratio great. There's more one on one time and a child can learn alot more. But most of the time when in an SE class its more reviewing what you know than learning new things. Now remember I work with teenages your child is still a toddler. And is he potty trained? He may be the only one potty trained in his class and after seeing everyone else get special attention {aka diaper changes} then he may start having accidents so he can start wearing diapers again. So it will be a lot to think about, but talk to the school he will be attending and see if you can start him out ina regular class and if that is too much for him then try to SE class, or wait another year before sending him too school.

Answer 3

I am sort of in the same boat as you are. My son is set to begin a SE preschool program in the fall. My son has autism and he has a severe speech delay and though he has made great progress we have had trouble getting him the proper assistance so he has been unable to reach his full capability. He has been placed on several waiting lists for those services but those lists are months long and we aren't hopeful that they will be calling us any day soon. In the meantime, I was given options as to the type of program to enroll him in. The Autism program wasn't the obvious choice because my son does not have many of the problems that so many Autistic children have, even though he is Autistic. On the other hand, he does have many issues that so many other Autistic children do have, as well as some that are not that typical in Autistic children. We sat down with his team members and came up with an IEP that was tailored to his needs. They will do the same with you and your child. My son,like yours is also more advanced than most kids his age who are without any type disability in cognitive terms. Although your child has been able to bridge most of the gap, a regular preschool will not address the needs that still need to be addressed. And putting him in a regular program before he is ready could cause him to backtrack, despite his progress. A good SE program will target his weaknesses and work with his strengths at the same time. There is a negative stigma attached to SE classes that says it is only for the severely delayed, and that is a complete fallacy. There are many kids in SE programs because they need special attention in some areas but are otherwise bright kids on the whole. Some kids could even be considered gifted. I would give this a lot of thought and maybe even talk to his education team to at least see what program they can offer your son before you make any decision. Good luck with whichever way you decide to proceed.

Answer 4

I don't think that a Special Education class is right for him. He would be bored and would end up hating school. Put him in a normal class. Only being 6 months behind in his speech at age 3 is not a huge deal, especially since you are already getting help for him. My son was a preemie (Almost 3 months early) and I was told that he would have to start school later than other kids his age, but he is 2 1/2 now and can read his own name, also count to 10 and knows all the primary and some other colors, so I am going to start him in preschool in the Fall and not let others tell me that he should be in a special class.

Answer 5

Before he can be placed in any program at school, he will go through a series of tests called an evaluation. The best program for your son will be Based on that information. Depending on your district, there may be a speech phonology preschool which works strictly on pronouncing words. However, if he has other speech challenges and early childhood program would be beneficial as they work on speech even when a speech therapist is not present. He can also recieve speech and OT without being enrolled in an early childhood program. Your B-three coordinator should be working with you to transition him to the school district. However, if you have arranged for speech and OT on your own and are paying out of pocket, call the local school district to have your son evaluated so if he is going to be enrolled he can start right away in the fall. Also, you district may have summer school for you son, which he can be enrolled in as well. In summary, first and foremost, contact your local school district and you will need copies of your sons current paperwork from his therapists as part of the evaluation

Answer 6

I have a 5 year old boy with a story similar to what you describe. Sensory issues and delayed speech, but also showing signs of above average abilitiy in other areas.

So far, our philosphy is to try and see how he does in the normal classes, and supplement after school with some speech and/or occupational therapy. If it turns out he isnt doing well in the normal class, I figure we can always move him to a SE class. However, I dont want to put him in the SE class unless evidence shows that he isnt keeping up, or is too disruptive to be in the normal class.

Should you decide to send your son to the regular preschool, I recommend that you try to visit the teacher and aides before the school starts to intorduce yourself, and explain the situation with your child. If they know, they at least have the chance to be more understanding about it.

Answer 7

If his only delay is speech, my suggestion would be to continue working with the Speech Therapist and have him goto a good pre-school.

But the truth is your Son's Speech Therapist should be able to recommend a strong pre-school program OR if he truley needs to be in a SE only pre-school, then YOU and your son's speech therapist should sit down and make a plan together. It is very important to remember you know your son best. And it is the Speech Therapist's job to listen to you and make the recommendations needed your son.

I hope all works out for your son and your family!

Answer 8

my son is in Early childhood education and been around more kids is helping him with his speech and his skills.he is ready for kindergarten.I think that he has to be with the same age kids.

Answer 9

my 3 yr old triplets are in early childhood education and they work on thier fine and gross motor skills , speech and any other developmental delays