4Real Forums: preschool anyone??

Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.

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Topic: preschool anyone??

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Cathmomof8
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Joined: Jan 25 2006
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Posted: July 07 2008 at 7:43am \| IP Logged

We're starting to debate about preschool for our 5yo this fall. He started Occupational and speech therapies over the winter and has an IEP. He has some sensory processing issues I'd say, speech and fine motor problems, etc. He is our 6th son and as I tell people - is wired different than his brothers. We had planned to just continue with the OT and ST but had an eye opening experience this summer. I am an OT in the schools part time and my boss, a fabulous OT, asked if I would bring Scotty to a class she was running this summer because she needed another boy and also figured it might be good for him. It was a 'socialization group (don't gag on the word ;) group for kids with aspbergers, etc going into school, etc). Well, it turned out that Scotty had a really hard time the first few classes. If someone brushed past him he'd get angry and say they pushed him on purpose. He wanted to do everything his way or no way, sassed my boss, and even lashed out a couple of times. He really enjoyed going and looked forward to it but while there could not control his impulses, etc. My boss asked how he does in other situations with kids around his age (besides his siblings) and I realized that we no longer do things regularly with families with younger kids. The times we do have a potluck or something, he needs a lot of intervention and is often unhappy or just hangs around the older kids and annoys them or amuses them!

Anyway, we would have some options it seems (though I have limited understanding at this point how it all works). He could go to a special ed preschool that has kids with impairments like him and more severe along with mainstream kids, a public preschool at the elementary school and recieve OT and ST there, or headstart (not interested), or he could continue to receive OT and ST once a week. Since I am an OT that services some of these places I have a few more options as to location too and number of days a week.

I really want to do whats best for Scotty and our whole family. I haven't done preschool in 14 years. It's a bit out of my comfort zone. But, frankly, I am a bit overwhelmed these days and know I'm not giving him enough structure and he's not getting enough consistency. I would have never thought that life with teens and preteens could be busier than having 4 kids under 5yo!! My older kids are frustrated with him too and it's difficult - he is a loud distruptive child. But please, don't get me wrong, he is the most endearing little wiry boy you'd ever want to meet. No one is more affectionate, loving and forgiving than him- and no one, no one says or does things to make you laugh like he can.

So, should he stay or should he go?! Any thoughts on things to look for in a special ed preschool? Could I really have him take a bus home?! yikes!!!!!! So much to discern and I do stink at change!!!
Theresia - mom to 8 2yo-19yo

folklaur
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Posted: July 07 2008 at 12:54pm \| IP Logged

Is there any chance that there are more things like the "group socialization" meetings? My son started attending "group" when he was about 4 or 5. It was like once or twice a week for kids on the spectrum. He got so much out of it. However, our insurance didn't cover it, and it was getting too expensive for us to keep paying out of pocket - that's the only reason we didn't continue.

My son did end up going to school. Three half-days in a VERY small class at our parish. It worked well for him, but he was tired and overwhelmed often. By the time he hit first grade, Teachers loved him, he did well, but other kids were starting to be mean.

I wish he had never gone to 1st grade at the parish school. But, I don't think I have ever regretted him going to Pre-K and K there (different location and different Admin than the rest of the school, too.)

Cathmomof8
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Posted: July 07 2008 at 2:42pm \| IP Logged

A group meeting would certainly be ideal. sigh. These groups he's in now are just for the summer-over now. fortunately they were free for me. Our insurance stinks. It does help to know that - besides time and transportation cost - he could receive the preschool services free. And the special ed preschools are supposed to have a small number of kids per adult. Thanks for your note and experience!!

SimplyMom
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Joined: Jan 11 2008
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Posted: July 08 2008 at 11:15am \| IP Logged

My Rachel really thrived in her special needs preschool they had so many fun activities for her.. it was really good. And honestly it gave me a little bit of a break that was so helpful, it allowed me time to do more focused things with my other children.

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Darcee

SimplyMom from Simply Catholic

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