Self contained versus ICT with 1:1 aid for pre k (also posted in special needs)

I have a 4 year old who attends a preschool that offers developmental programs for kids who get services, last year and this year they are putting her in a self contained room with 1:1 aid. My daughter was born with a rare foot deformity in both feet which despite correction, has led to very poor gross motor skills from the core down. To make a very long story shorter, she receives speech, OT, PT at preschool (pulled out of the classroom about 6 times per week, one if the speech sessions is push in). We also have her in an intensive physical therapy program where she is making huge strides in posture, still occasionally falls and totally still needs a 1:1 aid which I think she will need ongoing because of the safety risk. She can't stand on 1 foot, run or jump yet. Recently, her developmental doctor did a brief intelligence test and she came up average. The school is keeping her in self contained setting, the doctor feels by kindergarten she wants her in ICT with a 1:1 aid. The schools argument for not putting her in ICT for pre k this year is that my daughter is very defiant and with 6 pull outs she can easily fall behind. I'm torn as I know my daughter needs to be challenged, she is known as "the mayor" at preschool... she says hi to everyone, everyone knows her in the building, yet she has not a single friend, no play dates, birthday parties, etc. She wants a birthday party so bad and I have not one other 4 year old in our lives to invite. Her communication/social skills seem stronger and more appropriate than her classmates, but she lacks the physical ability they have and I see her intentionally mimicking inappropriate behaviors when I have been in the classroom. In trying to find typically developing peers to be more of a positive influence on her, recently my older child's friend and her little sister came over... all was okay until my daughter fell and landed on top of the other 4 year old who perceived my daughter pushed her. Totally, not what happened, but I get it. I worry about that aspect of fighting for ICT, that my daughter could even be reprimanded by a teacher if another child accuses her of pushing or touching them if she is falling... she reaches for the nearest object or body to stop the fall. My mom encountered a similar problem in the 50s... there are no programs for those with strictly physical challenges and unfortunately, like my mom, I feel like my daughter may not be placed according to her potential. Yet, I'm just a mom, my degrees are not in special education... if they are right and I'm wrong and she falls behind academically... I'd feel like a jerk... yet its "just" preschool... wouldn't it be best to see if she can deal with it now versus waiting to kindergarten? I know these circumstances are so rare, just a shame there really is no way to help her physical issues without reinforcing her social strengths.

Self contained versus ICT with 1:1 aid for pre k (also posted in special needs)

ok - so first I want to say don't lose hope! There are ways to help her physical issues and giving her the social aspects you want. In my opinion - when she goes to K they wont put her in a self contained class unless there is a significant educational delay. They WANT least restrictive environments. BUT I will say in defense of the preschool - 6 pull outs is a lot and I could see a child falling behind in a regular setting. The self contained classes learn the same material just at a slower pace and have less kids so the teachers can give more individual attention. I don't think its a bad thing - especially in preschool. Maybe in K I would push more because of the social aspect. I mean both of my dd's never had playdates or were invited to birthday parties in preschool either. Even now in grade school there has been a couple here and there. I wouldn't get too hung up on that.
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At the end of the day - I think with the multiple pull outs and the fact that they say your dd can be defiant, I think the self contained for preschool isn't a bad thing. I would ask to see if maybe they could let her go into the ICT class for maybe lunch or recess or other social things. Also keep in mind that self contained isn't all for behavior kids - it is really geared for kids who need a slower pace or more individual attention so I wouldn't assume all the kids wouldn't be as socially developed as your dd.

Re: Self contained versus ICT with 1:1 aid for pre k (also posted in special needs)

Oh absolutely, and I apologize if in writing the post I sounded like my daughter was socially better than everyone else... forgive me... we are at one of her 3 hour intensive therapy sessions right now, been doing this all week and I got poor sleep last night.

Thank you. I see the benefit of the self contained... just everyone says you know what's best for your child, you have to fight for them and her social skills just happen to be her strength. My older 2 were daycare kids, then moved on to a small clique preschool, so again... I'm considering the parties they got to go to with daycare friends and the exclusion faced in preschool. I was a working mom with my big kids so I didn't have the opportunity for moms groups and playdates... with this child we are limited by her physical issues. Most get togethers with moms groups happen when she is in preschool or at playgrounds. My daughter can't navigate playgrounds. I do know though too if she is not put to the test she lacks the inner drive. It's very easy for this child to manipulate others and become complacent. Her situation isolates us.

Self contained versus ICT with 1:1 aid for pre k (also posted in special needs)

I get it. My dd was in self contained in K and I was also worried about the social aspect but I will say that she became better friends and had more invites to parties and playdates being in that class then my older DD who has always been in general ed lol. Sometimes the smaller groups make better friends and I have noticed those parents are in the same boat - wanting so badly for their kids to have friends/playdate.
In the end - I know making friends and being social is important but I don't think it is THAT important in preschool. ALOT of kids don't have playdates at that age. It has noting to do with what class they are in. they are young - a lot of parents just don't make the effort for it at this age. Put your daughter in the class that will help her learn and grow. And again, self contained isn't LESS material or learning - its just a slower rate and I do think I would be worried about my child falling behind with that many pull outs. There's the flip side - she goes into ICT and falls behind bc she is out of the "classroom" so much and she gets frustrated.

I've been a lot with my younger dd too and while YES, absolutely - you know your child and always want the best for them... I also had to come to realize that these special education teachers also know my child and in an environment that I don't. At school. I had to learn to stop and listen to them. Hear what they were saying about how she is there and what her weakness were there. They were different than I thought or when she was with me. I felt like I had to trust that what they were seeing in school and what was being recommended was the right thing. And luckily so far - it has. Even when I walked out of a meeting crying and mad at what they suggested.... I took the suggestion and they were 100% right. If I pushed for what I wanted I think she would have fell behind, got frustrated and failed. Now, I am not saying you go against your mommy gut and blindly trust every teacher.... I am saying don't discredit what they are saying and suggesting just bc they are her teachers and not "mommy". Sometimes we need guidance by professionals to do what's best for our kids and that's ok!

Self contained versus ICT with 1:1 aid for pre k (also posted in special needs)

Also - don't be afraid to go into a meeting with the school and say "I understand you want to place her here for xxx reason. Hear is my concern...... what can we do about it?"

Re: Self contained versus ICT with 1:1 aid for pre k (also posted in special needs)

If you are at all questioning the districts placement for her you should ask for a meeting prior to the start of school to discuss your concerns. IQ is not the only factor considered when placing a student in a self contained. If there are any interfering behaviors those will be considered as well. Many students in self contained have average iq's but learn differently and have other factors that require them to be in that setting. You mentioned her defiance which may be something the district wants to get a hold on this year so that she can prepare to have a successful year in kindergarten next year.

I think it's difficult for dr's to give an opinion about classroom settings. Kids are often very different one on one or in the presence of their parents. School is a much different setting and the demands being placed on the child would definitely affect them differently. I really feel the schools want them to succeed and I really do feel like most districts have the best interest of the child in mind. Did the district discuss her placement with you at your meeting? They should be able to tell you why they feel it would be best for her.

Re: Self contained versus ICT with 1:1 aid for pre k (also posted in special needs)

I think that if it is only physical issues that you should definitely push for an ICT. She has a 1:1 aid. So that aid should be able to redirect behaviors or implement any behavior intervention plan that the special education teacher creates.

Re: Self contained versus ICT with 1:1 aid for pre k (also posted in special needs)

The school feels she is just pulled out so much it's too easy to fall behind. Truthfully, unlike my older 2 kids who are doing great in all areas... this child we did not prioritize academic or intellectual stimulation. Everything has been about getting her mobile. Took her first steps at 3, we had no idea if she would ever walk... it just took precedence over everything. She definitely needs to work on her basics this year. My greatest concern is we have 6 schools in my district and self contained can be in any 1 of them. Usually there are 2 or more ICT classrooms, one on each side of town. She could be pretty far from home. If she later no longer needs self contained she could be moved out of that building. I don't think we need anymore stress, but I guess more is on the horizon. As it is I'm juggling with my older 2, if she is on the other side of town... I don't know what I will do if she ever has any events or needs to be picked up.

Re: Self contained versus ICT with 1:1 aid for pre k (also posted in special needs)

Message edited 8/19/2018 6:55:16 PM.

Re: Self contained versus ICT with 1:1 aid for pre k (also posted in special needs)

Not sure what district you live in, but just a suggestion can you suggest maybe keeping her in self contained and mainstreaming her part of the day or week to be with her typical peers? i am in the field and where i understand your concerns, i always say its better to be moved up mid year rather than go backwards into a lower setting. If you see self contained is boring for her i would reconvene and move her up. ICT is very intense and may be a huge jump for her especially when kindergarten is the new second grade these days.....its a huge leap from pre k to kinder for typical children. Best of luck!

Re: Self contained versus ICT with 1:1 aid for pre k (also posted in special needs)

If she is cognitively On grade level or less than one year behind go for it! If you are in the city I can confirm you want her in the ICT. You have to also think about the other kids in the self contained classroom, why are they there? Probably because of cognitice and behavioral delays. It’s in your daughters best interest to be in the least restrictive environment. I say ICT and if this NYC please pm if you have questions!

Self contained versus ICT with 1:1 aid for pre k (also posted in special needs)

If your child has no cognitive issues then there is no reason why she can not be placed into a gen ed class with an aide to help with her physical needs. Having them use pull outs as an excuse is ridiculous because there are plenty of Gen Ed students that get pulled out too and are not placing in a self contained class. It may turn out that she needs a self contained, which is fine but Kindergarten is the perfect grade to test out a gen ed placement. The social aspect alone will help her out. Good luck.