"specialized" pre-school vs. "regular" pre-school

DS NEEDS socialization with other kids. I feel he needs to get out of the house and not just to hope in a stroller to go to the mall, museum, zoo, etc... but something with structure and kids.

So I WAS going to sign him up for Mommy and me until June, separation class in the Summer and pre-school in September.

Turns out I read a post here this morning and found out about other opportunities for DS. Like Variety, etc... Schools that "probably" would fit his needs better.

I wanted to put him in a "normal" school so he would not be labeled and wanted to challenge him a little to progress.

WWYD?

1/ go to normal school. Take a chance that he may not fit at all and it may be too much for him, yet he would be with regular kids and be challenged.

2/ go to a more specialized school. It's free (we are almost guaranteed at this point by EI that he will qualify for it). Be with other kids with special needs but it would be more targeted for his needs also.

I was going to sign up for the regular school this morning but after reading the post on "after EI", I decided to look further into it.

DS is 18 months.

Message edited 1/16/2009 12:49:27 PM.

Re: "specialized" pre-school vs. "regular" pre-school

One thing I have come to learn is that you can't let a "label" affect you right now. Our kids are all labeled to a certain degree, whether that is speech delay, dd (developmental delay which is what they have johnny labeled as), etc...

It was really really hard for me when Johnny started preschool in a special needs class. I wasn't sure it was right for him, maybe he needed a more "typical" class. But right away I loved it. It has been wonderful for him. There are only 7 students...some of them with the same issues as him (slight sensory problems, speech delay etc..)...there is one preemie in the class who was born at 6 months-she has a bunch of physical delays and speech delay..there is a little down syndrome boy and then there is a boy in a wheelchair who was born with a very rare brain disorder.

It's hard to imagine that a class can go so well with so many diverse issues. But at 2 years old, they do what "normal" 2 year olds do. They have music time which they LOVE. They do art projects, free play, phys ed, snack time etc...Some kids have more skills and help the other kids who don't have them yet. They bring children in a few times a week from other classes who are considered advanced as language models and it really does help.

I walk in now every day feeling happy and content...Johnny has made tremendous progress in an environment that was good for him. He gets pulled out a few times a week for private speech and some OT but they are dropping the OT as they feel he doesn't need it any longer...It's amazing actually-little kids don't know "differences". They see one another and are accepting...its very heart warming.

However..I am not sure of the background with your son....what are his delays if you don't mind me asking? If it is just for speech and there aren't other issues, maybe a typical preschool would be the right fit for him? only you can decide what to do, but also know that if one isn't a right fit, you could always switch! I went in with the attitude that if this wasn't good for Johnny, I would seek alternatives.

Good luck to you. I know how overwhelming it is. He was only 18 months when we were deciding on schools...now here he is at 28 months, talking and learning everyday!!

Re: "specialized" pre-school vs. "regular" pre-school

I would opt for #2 and place him in an integrated (or inclusion) class where there are typical children and children with special needs. The special pre-school Nicholas went to had a sensory gym, music therapy, the special education, OT and speech teachers right there so there was no need for home services and it was GREAT.

Re: "specialized" pre-school vs. "regular" pre-school

Re: "specialized" pre-school vs. "regular" pre-school

if your child is approved for special ed preschool, grab it. its the best place for him if he has delays. regardless of integrated vs. self contained... and that is decided by EI, or at least recommended. and you don't typically have integrated classes with EI, you can get those once he's in CPSE after age 3.

as for the difference... in a special ed class, there will be more adults watching over things going on, so kids can be redirected to appropriate play, behavior, etc. the teachers are specially trained to handle assorted delays and to do things that will help to progress the child forward. in a typical preschool, the teacher might not have the experience or the ability, or time to devote to a child who needs more attention. in the specialized setting, the kids are given all the attention they need. plus, if any other issues develop whle in the classroom, they are equipped to set him up with any other services he might need. even if he is in a class with other kids with significant delays, he will still benefit from the social interaction.

my son was in an EI preschool class. he was one of 8 kids. 6 of htem were classified PDD-NOS. and it did wonders for him. he was only diagnosed with a speech delay, but he had fewer words than some of the kids on the spectrum in the class when he started. his progress was amazing. when he started he would never sit for circle time for anything, if i held him, he would scream and cry and fight me tooth and nail. yet 2 weeks into his new school setting, he was sitting for circle time and saying more, when they finished reading a book. (we spent 8 months trying to get him to say more at home before school started and he would never use it... now 2 weeks of school and he was saying more when he wanted something)

i am totally in favor of a specialized school if you can get approved for it. they can do wonders for children with delays. they also typically have other therapists on staff to focus on things that can't be done in a typical school. and if you child is receiving other services like OT or PT alot of them have the equipment to do those services during school hours.. instead of adding more time at home with less equipment available.

if you have any questions feel free to FM me.

Amy

Re: "specialized" pre-school vs. "regular" pre-school

Thank you for the feedback! I really appreciate it.

Re: "specialized" pre-school vs. "regular" pre-school

I agree with all the above ... and I'll throw out a third option ....

Cole goes to a typical Montessori preschool with a SEIT (special education itinerant teacher) that shadows him. He has the oportunity to be with typical peers, and the modified instruction of a special ed. teacher. Its what works best for us THIS year ... next year, who knows?

Re: "specialized" pre-school vs. "regular" pre-school

Christopher goes to Building Blocks in an early intervention class, they work on all types of skills, come next year when he turns 3, I want to keep him there, they will integrate him in a typical Pre-school class, and we will see if he heens a shadow,
I think putting him in a school setting when he tuns 2 is the BEST thing. I am so glad that we put Christopher there, he has learned so much more than I evevr could imagine

Re: "specialized" pre-school vs. "regular" pre-school

Re: "specialized" pre-school vs. "regular" pre-school

Sophie - if you choose to put EJ in a typical preschool, as a child receiving EI services, he can receive a SEIT - a special education teacher who would push into the class and help him integrate there. That usually happens after a specialized program, but you can opt to try now and see if it works for him

Re: "specialized" pre-school vs. "regular" pre-school

Re: "specialized" pre-school vs. "regular" pre-school

Lance is going to "typical" Catholic pre-school w/ a SEIT. The teacher will be in the class with him for 1 hour per day. His therapists believe that he will do best there, so I am following their advice.

We had him in a "typical" 2 y/o program, but because of his nap time, and his food allergies, (he wanted everyone's snack ) we took him out.

The mommy and me classes are great. Lance loves it! He has learned so much there. When we first started it was hard. He never wanted to wait his turn, and he never wanted to share at all. Now he is doing both of those things pretty well.

I don't know much about "specialized" pre-schools. I did look at one (Just Kids- Lindenhurst) on my own, because I wanted to see what the difference was.

Anyway, I think the mommy & me classes are a great idea either way.

Re: "specialized" pre-school vs. "regular" pre-school

Posted by lipglossjunky73

Sophie - if you choose to put EJ in a typical preschool, as a child receiving EI services, he can receive a SEIT - a special education teacher who would push into the class and help him integrate there. That usually happens after a specialized program, but you can opt to try now and see if it works for him

Message edited 1/20/2009 9:00:20 AM.

Re: "specialized" pre-school vs. "regular" pre-school

Re: "specialized" pre-school vs. "regular" pre-school

If they are offering this to you, TAKE IT! Private preschool can be very expensive, and we pay NOTHING for Ryan's school. And, these classes are the SAME EXACT THING as a other preschools, there is just more of a teacher to student ratio and of course services for children who need them. They do the same things as other schools.... circle time, crafts, snack time, outside play, learning on the computer, and so many other things. LIke others said, you may want to try an intergrated class and see how it goes. If you don't like it, you can always change to something else.