Last Sunday I was handed this piece of art! Not just any art--- but Dennis' very first piece of art that he made in the church nursery. I think he did a fabulous job!
Today I met with the speech teacher at my kids' school to discuss plans for Dennis. She would have happily started meeting with him once or twice a week once he turned three but she suggested an early intervention speech preschool where he would go four times a week.
While the suggestion threw me off guard, I was thankful that she was obviously taking careful consideration to look at all of the options available to Dennis. Can you imagine? Dennis in preschool next year?? I asked her to put Dennis on the list.
14 inspiring thoughts:
What a treasure!! Dennis is a smarty. And he'd probably love preschool... going to school like his siblings :)
I'd definitely go for the preschool!! I sub teach here in Michigan, and I love special education pre-school programs. The kids love coming. They soak everything up and learn quickly. It will also help Dennis to be ready by kindergarten academically...you wouldn't believe what they expect out of kindergarten students now. Best wishes! Laurie
ALL of my kids have ALWAYS adored pre-school.
To the point where they pout on the days they don't go.
Dennis will love it!
Amy
sounds like the person you met with actually had Dennis' best interests at heart. obviously i don't know all the details, so i may be wrong, but i think it'd be great if he could go to a place that's meant for kids like him - with people who are taught to do the things that will help Dennis be the best he can be. although i gotta admit, the thought of Dennis being in preschool already throws ME off, i can't even imagine how you feel! :-)
- michelle
That would give him a chance to interact with children of his own age and for you to have some self-time unless of course A is already home. Then it could be mom & A time.
I didn't even know there was such a thing as "early intervention speech pre-school"...!!
Sounds perfect!
That is really normal for kids with any kind of special needs to go to preschool when they turn 3. I had dreaded it and fought it and in the end, I sent Davin. However, I am not a huge fan of preschool overall. You will know what you should do that will help Dennis the most. You know he is getting so much at home as well from the best teacher ever! I guess I always tried to keep in mind that I was the one making the decision because it was my child and I also tried to keep in mind that I didn't need to take everything they offered me. For instance, when Davin had to go to preschool to receive services and there was no other option for him to get them, they had only a five day program, but I opted to keep him home one day a week all year. I explained that he was still little and needed time home with me:) I know you will make a great choice!
Well, after having lived in a country for 7 years where most every kid goes to preschool from the moment they turn 3 (and most go to nursery school from the age of 2 or earlier) I was thinking what was so strange about preschool? But then I realized.
Pre-school for my hard of hearing and deaf sons was the place that really brought along speech. With my youngest you wouldn't know he had any hearing/speech issues by the time we moved 10 months ago around the time he turned 5!
That's awesome about Dennis in pre-school. My son adopted at 13 months qualified for speech, also, and we started him early (2.5 years) It was fun for him. I started my Nick in pre-school early, as well. He loved it. Just a few mornings a week. I think they get used to being around a lot of kids when they are in the orphanage and they like all of the activity. Wow, that will give you extra time w/ Alexey. Things work for a reason!!
Hi Christine,
I am an OT for a school system in GA and under IDEA all special needs children can go when they turn 3. They just have to qualify in three areas OR be two standard deviations below in one area. I am a HUGE fan but of course I work for the schools. Kids can learn so much and bottom line is that you can choose the amount of time that you want him to have. Alexsey would also get to go after he gets home and settled. Looking forward to hearing what you decide to do!
Hey Christine- They suggested an early intervention preschool for Jacy and we did it. In the 6 weeks she has been in the program she has done AWESOME!! She now knows her colors, ABC's, counts to 10 and actualy recites songs. SHe is working on speaking in sentences and actually carrying on conversations!! When she first came home at 23 months old she couldn't do any of this!! Now at 27 months old she can! I think Dennis will do just as awesome as she has done!!!
I'd consider an early intervention center program. The ones that I know of are more like intensive group speech therapy- in a developmentally appropriate play based format. Of course he can also get early intervention speech services by a therapist in your home until he is 3 as well. We know that early intervention is critical for communication and language skills. There seems to be a special window between 2 and 3 in which the child is ripe for language development- so you want to take advantage of it whenever possible.
Isn't your town giving Dennis Birth to Three this year?
My daughter loved preschool as did my granddaughters.
Dennis will enjoy getting to play with the kids his age too.
Christine, my oldest son is 4 and in the special needs preschool- he absolutely LOVES it! He has done so great in school and is finally making progress with his PT and OT goals- which after almost a year of private PT he had made almost NO progress. Preschool was what spurred him to try harder, to keep up with the other kids. I love his preschool!! My youngest will be starting at the special needs preschool when he turns 3 next March, also.
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