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RP: Please tell me it's OK

Alicia13Alicia13
in Special Needs

Hi everyone...

I am having a bit of a hard time and just need some reassurance.  :)

My oldest was born with a hearing loss and will be 4 in March.  She is smart, polite and amazing.  She goes to preschool 3 full days a week and loves it.  I am a SAHM for her and my youngest and always have been.

We recently met with her teachers to work out her IEP.  We talked about the fact that she is so smart but tends to hang back in social situations---she gets this from her father.  She is not really shy...just more of an observer and needs to know that things/people are worth her time.  :)  Thus, we have named many of her goals to be about self advocacy and speaking up and broadening her social circle.  Sadly, other than organizing playdates, these aren't really things that I can help her with because she does these things when I am around!

In the end, all involved think that it would be best for her to go to school full time.  I do believe it is best but feel like I am not doing my job. 

Please tell me it's ok....

 

Thanks!
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Re: RP: Please tell me it's OK

  • JellymanKellyJellymanKelly
    We had this issue with my DS when he was in preschool. We opted to send him 5 days per week, but he still struggled with the same things at 5 that he struggled with at 2.5. Only this year, since he's been in K, has he started making big improvements, but he still struggles socially and tends to parallel play with the other kids. He's not a big "joiner" either, and every report card he's gotten has indicated that. I agree with Auntie (she pretty much knows the solution for everything SN-related), I think a separate program might help her more. I've avoided classes like that due to the fear that he won't fit in, but I wish now that I had given something like that a second thought a year or two ago. We always second guess ourselves, don't we?
    She's crafty - and she's just my type.
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  • luckyfrggluckyfrgg member
    DON'T feel like this is an indication that you aren't doing your job!  Preschool is AWESOME for social skills, particularly a preschool that will help facilitate social interaction like a special needs preschool.  They have the ability to (and the expertise to) set up good social play situations, model social interactions, and require cooperation between kids in a way that a standard playdate just won't allow you to do.  Think of it as being less about anything you're not doing, and more about the fact that they're uniquely placed to help.  Accept the offer of more services, and be glad that they're enthusiastic about helping her build her skills.  And give yourself a break.  And a glass of wine.  :)
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  • carissa_daniellecarissa_danielle member
    Self advocacy isn't something that can be easily taught. I think sending your DD to full time school is a great idea. I am in the same boat as you. My oldest, also suffers from hearing loss. Being she had a late dx, she is a late bloomer, as well as socially shy. She has been in preschool for 2 yrs, and has blossomed. She will start kindergarden next fall, and I think that school is a great place, not only for what the teachers teach, but for what the kids teach each other.
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