I need help with preschool :)

Princess_Lily · February 2013

I am signing DS up for a traditional preschool in the Summer & Fall 2013 school year. We are touring a school on Monday I thought would be a wonderful fit for DS (Low Ratio/Close to home, etc)

When I meet with the owner/director on Monday, I plan to discuss with her DS and his Sensory Issues (Sound & Tactile Sensitivty), minor speech delay (difficulty with enunciation), and low muscle tone.

These needs are being treated by DS's meeting with his OT & ST once a week as well as a gymnastics class he's been going to for 4mo which helps with his low muscle tone & socialization skills. The OT & ST and Pediatricians have not recommended any further screenings because they have witnessed marked improvement over the past year and has continued to make great strides with his treatment plan!

As I said, I will be planning on telling them everything, and heartfully express how I want to keep open line communication with the school and also I plan on continuing the therapy sessions so that he can continue to make these strides.

Since I have seen him in action at his current class, I have been able to express to interviewers what he will sometimes do in the class setting.

His OT & ST expressed that preschool will be a wonderful opportunity for DS to learn and socialize with his peers & teachers. While I agree, I don't want to broadside a school, hiding his condition, because being honest will only help everyone involved to help DS succeed!

As there are many experienced moms here, is there anything else I need to communicate with the owner/director? Tips? Words of encouragement?

TIA!!

bumpuser511563 · February 2013

You are right to keep everything open with teachers. Even asking them if they would like copies of the diagnosis/evaluations could keep them in the know.

I have had to move to 5 preschool/daycares in 4 years. The other 4 daycares had teachers that were not trained in special needs. The one daycare we are currently at has fully trained staff in special needs.

I think a good question would be to see if any of their staff are trained in special needs.

I have also had the experience that we have done all the therapy and work our butts off and the school does nothing to help DS after I have given all the advice and tips. That was our last preschool/daycare and the biggest disappointment because there was one teacher I love there.

bumpuser511563 · February 2013

I was going to give more advice but maybe you can ask the therapists which schools they recommend for your DS.

That is how we got our daycare.

mommytoconnor · February 2013

I was in your exact position a few months ago. I toured a few facilities and spoke with the director. When I finally decided on a place I spoke again at length with the director to make sure she felt comfortable and her teachers were comfortable. The director has an autistic child so she felt very comfortable with special needs child. My son has SPD but isn't autistic and has some speech delay. Everything sounded great so I enrolled him, and all was well for the first 2 months. Then the director left suddenly and someone else was director. It all went downhill from there so I pulled him out and found a new place. I couldn't be happier. I was completely honest with them when I toured and spoke to them for over an hour about his sensory issues and what things that can be done throughout the day to help him. I asked if they were willing to do these things they said absolutely, we will incorporate these into what the children do each day. As a matter of fact they already do a number of sensory things during the day anyway. They understood about how important the sensory system is to development. He has been there 3 weeks now and it's awesome. His teachers say his behavior has improved in this short time, he is talking more, They even said he is the most polite child in the entire class saying please and thank you all the time and helping with chores like cleaning up and stuff. Even the director told me yesterday that he was her little helper and he loved it. I agree with not blindsiding them. be open and honest and ask them to work with you. it will be better for your child and the school.

Stillharbor · February 2013

First let me say I don't know the particulars of sensory issues, so if I say something wrong forgive me. But let me chime in on the side of the teacher. Talk with her about special cues for your son. Things that excite and motivate him toward good behavior. Conversely, she also needs to know what upsets him, I.e. screaming, kids running around, etc. If something does upset him, how you redirect him. It sounds silly but when kids with special needs develop these cues with their parents, it always helps the teacher to continue those cues and know how to interact in a way that brings out the best in everyone and makes school an enjoyable experience for student, parent, and teacher.

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