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Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
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We had a CPSE review meeting today and I made a REALLY tough decision
I don't know if it was the right decision. I don't know if it was the wrong decision. It was the only decision DH and I could make right now. We are pulling DS from his "typical" pre-school and putting him in a program through CPSE.
This was a really tough decision. He doesnt have a clear diagnosis. He's language delayed. At risk for ADHD and/or Auditory Processing Delay (can't be diagnosed until 6 or 7). He was evaluated twice for autism and was not found to be on the spectrum either time. He is just inbetween which makes it all the more difficult.
Cognitively he is on par with his age group. Emotionally, behaviorally and language wise he is behind and immature.
He has shown increased frustration and behavioral issues at school, even with the SEIT. These behaviors are carrying over at home to the point where I feel like he is a different child at times. Like I dont know how to manage or handle my own son. We just dont feel the teachers are equipped to handle his needs.
I feel like it can't possibly get any worse. There are only 4 more months of school left so I am looking at the program they will be putting him in as a trial to see if this is what he needs right now. To see if this is even what he may need next year. He was already getting 6 sessions of therapy and instead of the stress of adding more to his schedule, they felt a program would be best to incorporate all his services at school. The important thing is finding a school with a sensory gym because he needs it.
They are going to send me packet for various schools. The first option is 5 half days, however, we are open to 5 full days. The therapists and CPSE director feel Barbara Wilson school is a good fit for him. Does anyone have any feedback on this school? Any other schools in Nassau you recommend?
Message edited 3/1/2011 2:39:17 PM.
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Posted 3/1/11 1:26 PM  |
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dpli
Daylight savings :)
Member since 5/05 13973 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: We had a CPSE review meeting today and I made a REALLY tough decision
If it helps, from what you wrote, I think you made the right decision. 
I liked Barbara C. Wilson very much and if they had an opening for us, I would have definitely considered it. And if I remember correctly, Barbara C. Wilson only does full day programs.
IMO, if they offer you a full day program in a school you like and think is a good fit for your DS, TAKE IT!!! If you think later he doesn't need the full day, you will have a much better chance of finding a half day program to switch him into, than doing it the other way around. Finding a full day program after he is already in CPSE, or midway through the year will be very tough.
However, having said that, I think the most important consideration is whether the school and program are a good match for your DS. I would take a half day in a great program where I am confident he will make progress over a full day program that I wasn't comfortable with.
Of the schools I saw, I would recommend:
Little Village
Variety
Barbara C. Wilson
ACDS
Brookville Center at Old Brookville
Lots of
It's never easy making these decisions.
Message edited 3/1/2011 3:52:51 PM.
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| Posted 3/1/11 3:51 PM |
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Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: We had a CPSE review meeting today and I made a REALLY tough decision
Posted by dpli
However, having said that, I think the most important consideration is whether the school and program are a good match for your DS. I would take a half day in a great program where I am confident he will make progress over a full day program that I wasn't comfortable with.
Of the schools I saw, I would recommend:
Little Village
Variety
Barbara C. Wilson
ACDS
Brookville Center at Old Brookville
Lots of
It's never easy making these decisions.
I am most concerned with finding the perfect fit for him. I will not put him in a school or program that I do not feel comfortable with.
I was shocked when she said they can get him into a program now given the time of year but the CPSE chair said they place kids at various times throughout the year and she recently placed other children with no problem.
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| Posted 3/1/11 4:23 PM |
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whyteach
LIF Adult
Member since 8/06 2697 total posts
Name:
Christina
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Re: We had a CPSE review meeting today and I made a REALLY tough decision
I had my DD screened last year at Barbara Wilson, Little Village and Boces Childrens Readiness Center (in that order). I have heard great things about BCW but I didn't feel like that was the right fit for DD. I loved Little Village but there was no opening. My daughter was accepted into Boces which is full time and would recommend it to anyone. She has made incredible strides. You walk in the building and they know every child by name. I truly believe things happen for a reason because even though I was hoping for Little Village I LOVE where she is.....check it out.
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| Posted 3/1/11 5:13 PM |
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Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: We had a CPSE review meeting today and I made a REALLY tough decision
Posted by whyteach
I had my DD screened last year at Barbara Wilson, Little Village and Boces Childrens Readiness Center (in that order). I have heard great things about BCW but I didn't feel like that was the right fit for DD. I loved Little Village but there was no opening. My daughter was accepted into Boces which is full time and would recommend it to anyone. She has made incredible strides. You walk in the building and they know every child by name. I truly believe things happen for a reason because even though I was hoping for Little Village I LOVE where she is.....check it out.
I think my choices may be limited. He needs an integrated class. From what I understand Boces only has self-contained classrooms.
Message edited 3/1/2011 9:27:34 PM.
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| Posted 3/1/11 9:05 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: We had a CPSE review meeting today and I made a REALLY tough decision
Posted by Mommy2Boys
Posted by whyteach
I had my DD screened last year at Barbara Wilson, Little Village and Boces Childrens Readiness Center (in that order). I have heard great things about BCW but I didn't feel like that was the right fit for DD. I loved Little Village but there was no opening. My daughter was accepted into Boces which is full time and would recommend it to anyone. She has made incredible strides. You walk in the building and they know every child by name. I truly believe things happen for a reason because even though I was hoping for Little Village I LOVE where she is.....check it out.
I think my choices may be limited. He needs an integrated setting. From what I understand Boces only has self-contained classrooms.
When are you looking to do a placement? For September.
Brookville Children Center Services has an integrated class.
DS goes to BCCS but in a different class setting.
I LOVE the school.
Barbara C Wilson. I felt very uneasy with them. They have great reviews but I did not have a good experience with the evals we did with them when looking for placement for DS.
Boces. DH really liked the school. But they only did integrated services only and I neede DS to get pull out for OT, PT and speech
Little Village. Good reputation.
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| Posted 3/1/11 9:17 PM |
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Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: We had a CPSE review meeting today and I made a REALLY tough decision
Posted by smdl
When are you looking to do a placement? For September.
They are looking to place him now if we can find a school with an opening. I doubt they will have a program in an integrated setting open. And I dont want to put him in a school that I dont feel is a good fit for him.
I am going to call our CPSE director tomorrow and tell her that I want to get the ball rolling for September as well plus the summer being I have lost the last 6 months trying it their way and it didnt work. I know the annual reviews are coming up and ours is not until May. I want to be first on the waiting list, not last.
ETA: We are hoping for a school with a sensory gym. If I can't get one with a sensory gym right now I will continue to take him to OT on my own.
Message edited 3/1/2011 9:25:04 PM.
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| Posted 3/1/11 9:24 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: We had a CPSE review meeting today and I made a REALLY tough decision
I am not sure you can find something now since spots are being filled up NOW for September.
There are "rare" openings for mid year. And Summer placement are almost non existent since most kids enrolled also stay in the Summer program.
I would push for anyone/your SD to help you in "prioritizing" you but it will be hard.
ETA: If you want to start contacting BCCS NOW, while waiting for your packet from your SD, let me know. I will give you the contact person. But they can't really do anything until they receive your packet from your SD.
Message edited 3/1/2011 9:30:37 PM.
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| Posted 3/1/11 9:28 PM |
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Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: We had a CPSE review meeting today and I made a REALLY tough decision
Posted by smdl
I am not sure you can find something now since spots are being filled up NOW for September.
There are "rare" openings for mid year. And Summer placement are almost non existent since most kids enrolled also stay in the Summer program.
I would push for anyone/your SD to help you in "prioritizing" you but it will be hard.
ETA: If you want to start contacting BCCS NOW, while waiting for your packet from your SD, let me know. I will give you the contact person. But they can't really do anything until they receive your packet from your SD.
I am going to call tomorrow. I wish I had thought of all this at our meeting  I didnt expect them to offer him a program so far into the year so I was shocked and overwhelmed.
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| Posted 3/1/11 9:32 PM |
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Jackie24
~We Did it~
Member since 7/06 6718 total posts
Name:
Jackie
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Re: We had a CPSE review meeting today and I made a REALLY tough decision
Sorry I work in the city so I don't have any info on the schools. However, I do feel that from what you said you made the right decision.
Going into a lot of "typical" classrooms, I see firsthand that it is not right for all kids, even with a SEIT. The classrooms tend to be very busy, overstimulating, just too much.
Good luck finding a program.
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| Posted 3/1/11 9:39 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: We had a CPSE review meeting today and I made a REALLY tough decision
I think it's great that they did approve what you wanted.
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| Posted 3/1/11 9:59 PM |
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A3CM
Avatar Title
Member since 9/08 3762 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: We had a CPSE review meeting today and I made a REALLY tough decision
Of the schools I saw, I would recommend:
Little Village
Variety
Barbara C. Wilson
ACDS
Brookville Center at Old Brookville
Lots of
It's never easy making these decisions.
unless you really know someone it is extreemly hard to get into Little Village for the full day program.. they usually have tons of half day spots though.
my son went to ACDS and was NOT at all impressed with the program they have to offer for children who are not down syndrome. i can bad mouth them to no end, but i wont, i will just say that their program aside from their DS program is not good.
We loved BCW when we toured it, but they had no openings for us. i have only heard fabulous things about Brookville Center, and as for Variety... i wont comment here. but FM me if you want to know.
we as parent never know if we are making the right decision for our children, but we do what we feel is best at the time. no one knows what the future will bring for them, and for now it hangs on us.
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| Posted 3/1/11 10:05 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: We had a CPSE review meeting today and I made a REALLY tough decision
Posted by AJandCJsMommy
[my son went to ACDS and was NOT at all impressed with the program they have to offer for children who are not down syndrome. i can bad mouth them to no end, but i wont, i will just say that their program aside from their DS program is not good.
DS was in a mommy and me class there under EI. I have to agree with your statement though.
While I liked the school it was not a good fit at all for DS for CPSE
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| Posted 3/1/11 10:21 PM |
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dpli
Daylight savings :)
Member since 5/05 13973 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: We had a CPSE review meeting today and I made a REALLY tough decision
Posted by AJandCJsMommy
Of the schools I saw, I would recommend:
Little Village
Variety
Barbara C. Wilson
ACDS
Brookville Center at Old Brookville
Lots of
It's never easy making these decisions.
unless you really know someone it is extreemly hard to get into Little Village for the full day program.. they usually have tons of half day spots though.
my son went to ACDS and was NOT at all impressed with the program they have to offer for children who are not down syndrome. i can bad mouth them to no end, but i wont, i will just say that their program aside from their DS program is not good.
We loved BCW when we toured it, but they had no openings for us. i have only heard fabulous things about Brookville Center, and as for Variety... i wont comment here. but FM me if you want to know.
we as parent never know if we are making the right decision for our children, but we do what we feel is best at the time. no one knows what the future will bring for them, and for now it hangs on us.
I am going to say listen to AJandCJsMommy over me about the ACDS and Variety. My recommendations are based on my experience with screenings at the schools and what my therapists were willing to tell me about them.
My DS goes to Little Village. I cannot say enough good things about them, but it is VERY difficult to get into the full day programs there.
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| Posted 3/2/11 9:51 AM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: We had a CPSE review meeting today and I made a REALLY tough decision
Posted by dpli
My DS goes to Little Village. I cannot say enough good things about them, but it is VERY difficult to get into the full day programs there.
It's IMPOSSIBLE to get in a FT program there unless you are enrolled in their PT program. Their FT students come their PT program who waiting to get in the FT program.
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| Posted 3/2/11 10:18 AM |
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Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: We had a CPSE review meeting today and I made a REALLY tough decision
Posted by smdl
Posted by dpli
My DS goes to Little Village. I cannot say enough good things about them, but it is VERY difficult to get into the full day programs there.
It's IMPOSSIBLE to get in a FT program there unless you are enrolled in their PT program. Their FT students come their PT program who waiting to get in the FT program.
This is basically what the director told me on the phone also. But there are PT openings for September still which I am ok with.
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| Posted 3/2/11 11:00 AM |
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A3CM
Avatar Title
Member since 9/08 3762 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: We had a CPSE review meeting today and I made a REALLY tough decision
Posted by smdl
Posted by dpli
My DS goes to Little Village. I cannot say enough good things about them, but it is VERY difficult to get into the full day programs there.
It's IMPOSSIBLE to get in a FT program there unless you are enrolled in their PT program. Their FT students come their PT program who waiting to get in the FT program.
i am going to duck to avoid the rocks being thrown at me.. but we do know people there and AJ was accepted into a full day program (he also has an Aug birthday) but we turned it down. we felt the curriculum was not strong enough for his needs.
the school is fantastic but we felt BOCES was a better fit for him... but then again our children are two completely different children with different needs... so check it out. it is one of the most sought out schools to get into.
if your SD approves him for a full day program and LV offers a half day spot the SD can deny it, because they feel he needs a full day, i would fight it though, but i wouldnt expect to get any extra services at home.
the system sucks. esp with CPSE. NYS has the BEST EI program, but when it comes to CPSE and CSE it gets tricky and little harder. budget cuts and schools wanting to keep under and not exceed or meet what they have for the year.
but again... explore all possible options, and you as a family need to decide what is best for your child. what is best for mine may not be what is best for yours.
have you looked into HASC over in Woodmere?
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| Posted 3/2/11 2:10 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: We had a CPSE review meeting today and I made a REALLY tough decision
Posted by AJandCJsMommy
Posted by smdl
Posted by dpli
My DS goes to Little Village. I cannot say enough good things about them, but it is VERY difficult to get into the full day programs there.
It's IMPOSSIBLE to get in a FT program there unless you are enrolled in their PT program. Their FT students come their PT program who waiting to get in the FT program.
i am going to duck to avoid the rocks being thrown at me.. but we do know people there and AJ was accepted into a full day program (he also has an Aug birthday) but we turned it down. we felt the curriculum was not strong enough for his needs.
the school is fantastic but we felt BOCES was a better fit for him... but then again our children are two completely different children with different needs... so check it out. it is one of the most sought out schools to get into.
OVERALL LV is a good school. It was not MY 1st choice because I did hear of negative reviews.
Not all schools, even the great one, will fit all our DC's need and/or our overall feeling about the school.
On the fact that you got someone on the "inside". Hey.... that's reality! And in the CPSE jungle of finding spots, you do what you have to do.
Barbara C Wilson has a great reputation, yet we did not like it at all. Had a terrible experience with the social worker there during our tour and an even worst experience during the evals. I won't go into specifics but it was a HUGE turn off.
Parents seem to love Variety. Therapists will tell you about the behind the scenes and I am surprised the school is so popular.
I agree that you have to watch what the IEP says. You cannot go back and forth into PT/FT if your IEP stats something else.
The process is very frustrating. Not only you have to take "chances" on schools but you also have to battle to get a spot for only a handfull of spot available. Especially FT programs. I think FT programs on LI are a joke in term of availability.
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| Posted 3/2/11 2:45 PM |
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dpli
Daylight savings :)
Member since 5/05 13973 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: We had a CPSE review meeting today and I made a REALLY tough decision
Posted by AJandCJsMommy
i am going to duck to avoid the rocks being thrown at me.. but we do know people there and AJ was accepted into a full day program (he also has an Aug birthday) but we turned it down. we felt the curriculum was not strong enough for his needs.
but again... explore all possible options, and you as a family need to decide what is best for your child. what is best for mine may not be what is best for yours.
No rocks here  I absolutely agree that you know your kid best and you are the best advocate for him/her. I love my son's school, but realize maybe it isn't the best fit for everyone. I agree 100% that you have to decide what's best for your child. I asked TONS of questions during the search for schools.
The other thing I want to add is that the district did really pressure us to take a full day program, but after seeing a few places and not being sure about one of them, I was preparing myself for a fight if necessary. I know the district would have told me to take the full day, that they weren't going to give me a half day with supplemental services, but at my IEP meeting I asked the question - what if there were no full day programs available - what would they do? After dodging the questions many times, I was told they would give him a half day with supplemental services. After hearing that, I decided I was only going to accept a full day program if it was in a setting that I felt was appropriate. If not, I was going to ask for a half day with supplemental services. Luckily it didn't have to come to that, but it's an individualized plan for a reason. I was not going to accept a placement that wasn't appropriate just because that's what the district was willing to approve. Just my two cents.
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| Posted 3/2/11 4:08 PM |
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Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: We had a CPSE review meeting today and I made a REALLY tough decision
If your DC is in a PT program, they pull the kids out for services, right?
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| Posted 3/2/11 5:16 PM |
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RMA9728
LIF Adolescent
Member since 1/08 863 total posts
Name:
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Re: We had a CPSE review meeting today and I made a REALLY tough decision
My ds went to ACDS and had a good experience.
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| Posted 3/2/11 5:56 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: We had a CPSE review meeting today and I made a REALLY tough decision
Posted by Mommy2Boys
If your DC is in a PT program, they pull the kids out for services, right?
They do. But if there are too many pull outs for services, they don't really spend time in the classroom, hence why they usually suggest FT programs if your DC has a lot of pull outs.
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| Posted 3/2/11 5:56 PM |
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Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: We had a CPSE review meeting today and I made a REALLY tough decision
Posted by smdl
Posted by Mommy2Boys
If your DC is in a PT program, they pull the kids out for services, right?
They do. But if there are too many pull outs for services, they don't really spend time in the classroom, hence why they usually suggest FT programs if your DC has a lot of pull outs.
This is another question I have for the director. There's no point of him being pulled out each day for 1 hours of services (1 speech, 1 OT) if he's only in school 2 1/2 hours.
Message edited 3/2/2011 7:14:48 PM.
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| Posted 3/2/11 7:14 PM |
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KarenK122
The Journey is the Destination
Member since 5/05 4431 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: We had a CPSE review meeting today and I made a REALLY tough decision
My DD is borderline PDD-NOS. She was given the diagnosis after much pleading from me because she needed the extra services during EI.
We started her out with a SEIT at a private preschool and it was a complete failure. She has alot of auditory sensory issues and would scream every time they sang a song or did calendar or anything like that. She lasted there for about 3 months and then we pulled her out.
She is now enrolled in a PT program and it has been wonderful. We turned down a full day program because I know she would not tolerate it.
Her school day is 2 1/2 hours and pulled out 2x week for OT and 2x week for speech. She also gets a push in for each once a week. All the therapies are on different days so she is only out of the class for 30 minutes. For her the pull out is fine because she needed to learn to deal with transitions and so far it's going ok.
You know what your child can do and what they can't, go with your gut but always remember that you can ask for a meeting with district to increase or decrease services. I found that once they are enrolled in program increasing/decreasing is pretty easy if the school is behind your decision.
As far as programs go, I live in Suffolk so have no knowlege of the schools your looking at but take everyone's opinions with a grain of salt. Go look for yourself and go more than once at different parts of the day, ask to see and sit on some of the classes and do what you think is best for your child. One person may hate a school and another just love it.
Good luck!!
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| Posted 3/2/11 8:20 PM |
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keepinmyman
LIF Infant
Member since 9/07 212 total posts
Name:
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Re: We had a CPSE review meeting today and I made a REALLY tough decision
We have our CPSE meeting 4/12 to decide what services DD will get. She is being evaluated at Little Village. She currently receives ST and SpEd each x 3 and is in a language class x1. Can someone please PM with the negative stuff on Variety (and any other places). My SLP has kicked that name around though my SpED teacher recommeded LV which is why we chose them for evaluation.
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| Posted 3/24/11 3:17 PM |
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