Is it just me?

firstly i'm new to LIF so hello to everyone! i'm a mom to 2 boys and have pretty much lived in LI my whole life.

I had my DS1's CPSE mtg at the end of april and we've picked out about 7 schools to send his screening packet to. The whole process was overwhelming to say the least, but DS was approved for a full day program (8:1:2) w/speech 2x (1:1). DS was labeled as preschooler with disabilities. We got our first screening set up at CRC, though they were not our first choice. I took it upon myself then to call the other schools on our list to see if they even have any availability and most said their full day programs are full and the waitlist is loooong! One school flat out said they dont have any classes that suit his needs. I'm starting to feel like we won't be able to get him into a full day program for sept. He was approved for extended program so if we can find him a spot in July we could start then, but i'm not feeling good about that.

Did everyone else have this much trouble as well finding your child a school? And if anyone has any info about CRC that they can give me that would be greatly appreciated as well. There's only 2 other schools on our list that I haven't called yet, ACDS in plainview and AHRC in brookville. Anyone have any thoughts/opinions on those schools?

TIA

Re: Is it just me?

can't help with those 2 schools. but if you are not getting OT or PT as part of the services, have you checked out Boces in levittown? th early childhood center. its all full day, usually has more openings than the others and can sometimes get you a summer spot for incoming fall kids. (i did it with my so a few years ago, they got me summer and fall when no one else could.)

hth

Re: Is it just me?

CRC (children Readiness Center from BOCES?): They do not do pullouts for speech, OT or PT. It's done in the classroom. They have mixed reviews with some therapists but they have good reviews in general.

ACDS: Originally a Down Syndrome school but now with vaste array or disabilities. We go there for a mommy and me class once a week. I really like the school but their ABA program (what DS needs) is not that strong so we cannot go there for DS for preschool in September.

AHRC: Are you talking about the head center program or the building on top of the hill? The one on top of the hill is a 6/1/3.5 ratio class. It is a true ABA program. The head center has 4 classes. 2 classes of 9/1/2 ratio (I think). Divided in 2 classes: "ABA" and "teach" depending on the need of the child. They also have 2 integration classes of a ratio of 12/1/2 (I think also!!!) and this one has typical children and children with special needs. 1 class is ABA and the other is Teach. It all depends on the screening to see the ability of a child.

DS was accepted in the AHRC building on top of the hill for a September placement. He needed a 6/1/2 ratio minimum. This is a GORGEOUS school with top of line playground, sensory room, etc...

Re: Is it just me?

thanks everyone for their replies. We did have our screening packet sent to ECC in levittown as well. Haven't heard back yet though, but will see.

I think i'll just be relieved once we get accepted somewhere.

Re: Is it just me?

DS goes to ACDS and their ABA program is not up to par.

he is still in the 2 year old program, but i will not be sending him back for the 3 year old program.

FM me if you want more details about ACDS.

BOCES schools do not do 1:1 services, they are all push-ins.

we are going through the same thing right now with my DS in finding him a full day program anywhere.

my DS is a late birthday.

good luck in your search

Re: Is it just me?

My ds has gone to ACDS for the last two years. He has apraxia and has done wonderful with their program (he is in a 12:1:2). He will be graduating and attending kindergarten in the fall. If I can be of any help just let me know.

Re: Is it just me?

My DS is speech and language delayed. He is approved for a 8:1:2 for next year. We were interested in 3 schools

1. Barbara C. Wilson (wait list)
2. Mill Neck (going to see them tomorrow - availability)
3. Brookville at Marcus ave. (he goes there now and there is availability)

What other schools were on your list?

Re: Is it just me?

the 7..well technically 8 since we looked into two boces schools we had on our list were...

little village (filled - waitlist only)
variety (no classes avail that fit his need)
barbara c wilson (filled - very long waitlist)
boces early childhood center
boces child readiness center (seeing them next week for a screening)
DDI in huntington
brookville (formally AHRC)
ACDS

I think i will call my school district to have them send over a screening packet over to marcus ave and mill neck. i talked to DS's current speech therapist and she actually suggested those two as well and its great to know that they still have availability. let me know how mill neck goes tomm. do you like marcus ave now? i haven't really heard much about them, but i'll likely call to see if i can tour before they receive his packet just to get this rolling. thanks!