Pre-school for 3yo with physical delays?

[Anonymous]

I have a 2.5 yo son with cerebral palsy. His delays are strictly physical and is typically developing in all other areas. He's aging out of the infants and toddlers program and we've been given little idea of what kind of program he may qualify for next year. My understanding is that the PEP programs specialize in helping with cognitive delays, behavior issues, speech delays, etc. The only pre-K program I've heard about (from this forum!) is the Orthopedic handicapped program at Forest Knolls Elementary and Judith Resnick Elementary. I called to director to speak with her and she told me that the 3 y.o. program at Forest Knolls is already full for next year and that there isn't a 3 year old program at Judith Resnick due to "lack of interest". She said that even if there was room at Forest Knolls we live too far upcounty (Montgomery Village) for the transportation system to bring him down to Silver Spring. I'm thinking that I must be getting bad information. My son will obviously be considered at least 25% delayed in gross motor skills (can't walk without his walker) so he should qualify for services right? We have yet to have our transition meeting with the infants & toddlers program due to continuous school closings/delays, etc. Oh and to further complicate things, he has a typically developing twin brother. Is there an inclusive program out there that would be a good fit for my family?

[Anonymous]

Why not an inclusive preschool? In fact, all childcare centers must accept all children if they can accommodate the special needs without undue hardship. So you can't force them to build a ramp if they have 3 flights of stairs to their school. Now I'm a director of a typical childcare center, not a parent of a child with special needs, so why couldn't the kids go to the same program? He'd use a walker when they went for walks so he couldn't hold onto the rope - so what? He could be the line leader or the line ender so he'd be near a teacher if he needed help.

[Anonymous]

continued from above) It will take him longer to tie his shoes, do a puzzle, do legos, and write his name. Again, that's fine! But he will contribute just as his typically developing brother will to circle, science activities, story time, being a friend, etc. Yes, he will need to use the toilet first and then head to circle time because it might take him longer to get into a sitting position. OK, that's fine! If the center/school is on street level without stairs (or has a ramp, most schools do!), the toilets and sinks are low enough for him to use (most are), then I'd say no problem. Now, I'm not sure you want both boys in the same room, because the typically developing might "do too much for" the one with CP, or feel like he "has to" but on the other hand, why not be together that first year to lean on each other. Your son with CP probably can do things your typically developing cannot - whether that's his language skills, his ability to be a friend, whatever.

[Anonymous]

And of course he'd still have physical therapy, either during school time or at home. That won't change. Now, I'm sure there are other reasons to have children with special needs together, so others will chime in. It's just, I'm not sure why he'd have to be at a school for kids with special needs?

[Anonymous]

Isn't there a program in Silver Spring - Karasik? or am I remembering wrong?

[Anonymous]

OP here - if my child would qualify for free preschool thru MCPS that would provide PT/OT services then that would obviously be my first choice. Otherwise, the private PTs we use don't travel to daycares and I'm not sure if he'd still get PT/OT through Infants & Toddlers since he'll be older than 3. Karasik would be amazing, but it's in Silver Spring and we live in Montgomery Village so I'm not sure if I'd be able to swing drop offs and pick ups during rush hour when both my husband and I work FT.

[Anonymous]

Ask for PEP Pilot. The PEP Pilot class allows typically developing students to pay a small fee to attend public school and has a small number of kids with special needs. It is an inclusive pre-school but is only 2 days a week. Your kids could attend together. It would be free for your special needs child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ask for PEP Pilot. The PEP Pilot class allows typically developing students to pay a small fee to attend public school and has a small number of kids with special needs. It is an inclusive pre-school but is only 2 days a week. Your kids could attend together. It would be free for your special needs child.

OP, there has to be something for your kid. PPs posting made me think of the school where my kid is at PEP. There's a half flight of stairs to the PEP classrooms, but there must be some elevator or some other way to get to the classroom b/c I can't believe a public school wouldn't be ADA compliant.

[Anonymous]

If Forest Knolls is full and your child qualifies they are obligated to find an appropriate placement for your kid and if that placement for whatever reason isn't available they could be compelled to pay for a private one. Also the transportation thing sounds like bs to me. I know someone whose child goes to FK and she was offered trans from Potomac (although the family declined). Take a harder stance with MCPS. They must accommodate you--and that could even mean opening up the Resnick program for your kid. Also, Stephen Knolls would have appropriate facilities although if there are no cognitive/speech issues it might not be the right program fit.

[Anonymous]

You know it seems fishy to me that there wouldn't be a PK program for kids with physical issues up county, e.g., at Judith Resnick due to "lack of interest." What, there aren't at least 8 preschoolers living up county in need of a preschool?

OP, I'd call the ES directly if you haven't already.

[Anonymous]

Mont co will absolutely have to meet his educational needs - which will likely include transportation. I would directly call their special education office rather than having infant toddler just refer. They cannot tell you what he will qualify for until after the IEP meeting since that would be pre-determination and is illegal under IDEA but my guess is that he will qualify for class based services.

[Anonymous]

PEP Pilot is a wonderful program. It's for kids with mild needs usually in one area of development - which sounds like your DC. Like a PP said, it's inclusive with kids from the community so there would be a possibility that your other DC could attend (if there is room for more typically dev peers). Ask Infants and Toddlers to set up a tour for you. Infants and Toddlers also has an "extended c" program where you could continue to receive services through them (if your DC is eligible) and they could see your child in a daycare setting. If the school system feels that your child would do well in an orthopedical handicapped program then they would be obligated to find one for him.

[Anonymous]

Thanks to everyone for all the replies! I also find it weird that there's a "lack of interest" for a 3yo preschool program at Judith Resnick! I just wonder how many other families were possibly told the same thing! If they accepted 3 year olds, the Orthopedic Handicapped (horrible name btw) program would be perfect for my son. I'll definitely look into PEP Pilot program as well. I'm frustrated that our Infants and Toddlers coordinator has very little idea as to what options are available for a child with only physical disabilities!

[Anonymous]

OP,

I wonder if the local Easter Seals could help you also figure out what's out there.

[Anonymous]

If it was my child I would ask for extended part c which means infants and toddlers stays with you and stick him in regular preschool with his twin. You get the best of both worlds and he can get support from infants at the preschool. Has your service coordinator mentioned this option? Your child if he is eligible which it sounds like can stay with mcitp till kinder!!!