Finding a Program/Day Care for Special Needs

oh_maria

DS is gross motor/speech delayed (Dx is unknown at this time, tests have come back inconclusive, so we guess it's a benign congenital issue?) and has systemic hypotonia. We are looking at possibly finding a day care/ 2 year old program in the fall since our LO will be here in July, with DH working FT and I am in school FT. 

DS currently is in Early Intervention through our county/state (Florida), but many of their programs are geared to different needs. DS currently is normal in cognitive/adaptive/social, but the motor delay is significant and does impair his ability to play with children his age (as he doesn't walk very far, has poor posture due to abdominal issues, etc). The speech delay isn't critical yet and he is on a diet for gaining weight since he is low weight and tone, but these needs may be significant enough that I'm not sure a "normal" program will take him.

I'm still new to this and would appreciate any insight on finding a program for DS to enjoy that would also take into account his needs. We don't get out very much, as my "friends" don't feel comfortable with DS being around because he is... slow. We've looked at a few play groups in the area for different needs, but they are more focused on ASD and I don't want to intrude on them if my son doesn't have a similar need.  

TIA.  

thefuturemrskudla

Hi, we are in Central Florida.
Are you near a United Cerebral Palsy? The one in our area is great for all kinds of needs. There are many kids in wheelchairs or walkers, and the playground is modified for those needs.

MichelleWP

While private businesses are not bound by IDEA they are bound by the ADA. I am a home daycare provider. The only reason I would be able to not enroll a child with a disability is if it creates an undue burden. If a child needed a ramp and a $100 temporary wooden ramp would be sufficient, I would be responsible for getting one. If it were $5000 that would be considered an undue burden and I would not be. If the family were willing to pay for it, I would need to enroll the child. If a child posed a danger to the other children and the situation could possibly be remedied by a one to one aide, I would need to search for one - if the cost was high I would tell the parent that - if the parent offered to pay, I would need to allow that and try it first. I would just start talking to daycares in your area - you may be surprised. Most providers I know care for children of all abilities. Two of my own children have special needs, and I care for several children who do as well.

realisticdreams

You could start by trying to find your local disability resource center or the like, for your area.  And also have you just googled special needs daycare, or anything like that?  In our area, their isn't one (their used to be i'm told) but just south and north of us and lots of other places their is a daycare for special needs children, I think it's called Rainbow Kids or something like that.

We have been trying to find DD1 a preschool program for what feels like 6-9 months now with no luck.

mopdop2000

I just had to find care for my kiddos when we realized we were drowning in medical debt with no change insight, other than me working FT.  I asked a good friend who stays home with her 15 month old if she was interested and she was. So depending on what shift dh is working (swing shift for the next 3 months) she takes ds2 (SN) for a few hrs a day, and she also watchs ds1 4 hours a week.

I would be happy with him in a home day care situation with a person who understood his needs, however I know he wouldn't do well in a more preschool type program. (He goes to pre-school in the morning where he has a pera the whole time.) At the time we were looking, however, I couldn't find an in home provider with openings who I was comfortable with.