CPSE school for speech and language.

DS is 3 1/2. He has a global delay but the most pronounced issue is speech and language. There are sensory issues as well.

He is currently at Brookeville at Marcus ave. He is in an 8/1/2. Right now they have 2 "extra" kids in the class so it's technically a 10/1/2.

Last year, they wanted to give him a 10/1/2 but they felt they couldn't because his tantrums were still bad and his language hadn't really started to emerge yet.

He is doing really well. Language is emerging every day. Pragmatics is still an issue.

A BIGGER issue is that I'm unhappy with his class this year. Without going into too much detail, I'm uncomfortable with the teacher.

DS has begun acting out. She writes in the notebook that he hits kids and that he stepped on a kid in gym.

I DO NOT want him in Brookeville next year. He had a great year last year but this year stunk for various reasons (lurkers - FM for more info)

His annual review is March 3rd. I don't have his results yet.

PLEASE recommend schools for me. I'm in Mineola and I'm hoping for a 12/1/2 recommendation - if that happens I will try to get him into Mill Neck Manor. They have a very "behavioral" mindset that I think he would benefit from.

I'm beside myself and overwhelmed. Recommendations please?????????????????

Re: CPSE school for speech and language.

You should def. look into the BCCS (Brookville Center for Children Services formelly AHRC). It's part of the same group as Marcus Ave and Barbara C Wilson. It's a great school. But just a warning, they do have children up to 21 and also an adult program so I suggest you go and see it for yourself. The school is so great (that particular school) that I had to overcome some of the reality of adults with disabilities.

Are you looking for a PT for FT program? What ratio is he approved for on his IEP?

FM me if you want a contact name there.

Re: CPSE school for speech and language.

Re: CPSE school for speech and language.

fm

Message edited 2/16/2011 11:02:40 PM.

Re: CPSE school for speech and language.

Report the preschool to the school district. They are out of compliance. The iep states an 8:1:2, that is a legal document that they must uphold. The district is paying them to providence your son with an 8:1:2 not a 10:1:2. It says a lot right there about the preschool. Most schools would never mess round with the ratio.

Re: CPSE school for speech and language.

When I was looking at preschools for a CPSE class for DS, I did not like Marcus Ave. at all, but I know some people are happy with it.

First, the schools are allowed overenrollment spots sometimes, so they may not be in violation of anything, but I would ask about it because I would want to know for sure. My district approved an 8/1/3 for my DS, but I know they were willing to be flexible with the ratio in order to find a full day program, so I think the ration is sometime flexible.

I think my main question is are you looking for FT or PT? I think if you are starting now, you should be able to find a half day program for him for next year. Unfortunately, from what I went through last year, I think it will be very difficult for you to switch him to another FT program for next year, but I would still try to do it if I were you if you are unhappy with the program. If the district says they can't find another placement, then I would ask for a half day program and tell them to supplement with whatever additional services he needs. This is what I was prepared to do because I would rather have had my DS in a great half day program than a full day program that I thought was not right for him and I was willing to hire a lawyer if it came to that.

We looked at the schools Sophie mentioned, Brookville center - both in Brookville and Barbara C. Wilson and liked both. I looked at a few other schools too. Feel free to FM me if you have any questions.

Re: CPSE school for speech and language.

Thank ladies.

His school sent a letter home - they are allowed to add extra children because of overcrowding.

What I don't understand is if he's supposed to be in an 8/1/2, but there are 2 extra kids - so it's really a 10/1/2,

Then shouldn't he be in at least a 10/1/2 next year?

Re: CPSE school for speech and language.

My understanding is that if they add extra kids, there should be a third assistant in the room too. I am no expert, but my DS is in a similar situation and the teacher told me they had to add an extra aide because they are overenrolled by one student.

Re: CPSE school for speech and language.

Re: CPSE school for speech and language.

I am new to all of this myself, but we were trying to place my DS in a full day program last year in June, so I learned a lot about how the system works. I asked tons of questions - asked everyone, therapists, teachers, child psychologist at his current school. county service coordinator, people who worked in the schools we were looking at, everyone and anyone.

I think you should portray his current situation in whatever way it will help him get what he needs. If he's doing well with the 10 kids, then I think you have a valid point to get him moved into a different setting for next year. From what I can tell, the district would be more willing to put him in a lower ratio because eventually, they want to see the kids mainstreamed, so they will want to move him to a class with a lower ratio.

However, if you aren't happy with the school and don't trust what they are telling you, I would request that he be re-evaluated by someone outside of his current school. When I was trying to place DS, it was so late in the year that the district started sending his packet to everyone. he was approved for an 8 and I got calls from schools who wanted to place him in a 12 or a 15. I spoke with one of his EI therapists who said she absolutely did not think he was ready for that, and to not let the district place him there.

If you don't think he is doing well in the situation he is in now and want him moved right away, I think the issue might be more one of availability. They may not be able to find a placement for him, and as you know, all this stuff gets processed so slowly, who knows how long it would take them. I would definitely tell them that one of the reasons you are unhappy is that they have 10 kids in a class that is supposed to be 8, and still only have 2 assistants. I would ask if that is acceptable to the district or not.

Take a tape recorder to your review meeting. I did this and it made a huge difference in how the meeting went. It's a scary thing, but you can always table the meeting if you don't like what they are going to offer you. I was very hesitant to go in thinking that way, but after talking to all of our EI therapists, I decided that I had to look at the whole thing more strategically and less emotionally (as much as possible).

Please FM me if you want to talk more in detail.

Re: CPSE school for speech and language.

I'm a special ed teacher, so sorry to crash. If the class size is over the ratio set in the IEP, they probably applied for a variance from the state. They are required to notify the parents of the increase. They are allowed to go as high as 10:1:1 in an 8:1:1 with the variance. You can and should use this to help you in your case for next year. And definitely bring a parent advocate with you...too many parents don't have someone on their side and I think it can only benefit you to have someone else listening and giving you advice and input.