preschools in Arlington for special needs child, and related...

[Anonymous]

My 3 year old daughter has hypotonia and dyspraxia, but apparently is cognitively quite bright according to recent evaluations. She needs weekly OT for balance/coordination, PT for the tone, and ST probably 2-3x/week.
Her hypotonia is moderate...she is not safe alone on the typical play equipment you will find at school, or going down stairs by herself, etc. And, her writing is lagging because of weak wrists. Other than that, she is inquisitive, has excellent attention to task, wants to get better and speak better, and loves her mainstream preschool overseas.
An IEP written in Singapore suggests integrated therapy preschool, with weekly therapies, and especially one-to-one monitoring when outside near play equipment, and a high staff/student ratio in class.
We live overseas and are returning to the DC metro area.
Could any of you help me with the following:
1) I assumed we would be in Falls Church City, but now it appears we may be in Arlington. Can anyone provide experiences or knowledge of both preschool systems? I heard that FCCPS was fantastic...some neurotypical children and some not. Are the Arlington schools districted? meaning, she goes to the one she is in district for?
2) Will her physical disabilities mandate a special needs environment for her? I know you can't judge for certain; just wondering if anybody has any experience of whether mainstream teachers are willing to be with her on the stairs and watch her on the playground...that sort of thing. I think for preschool, teachers are watching out anyway, but I suspect that when it is time for kindergarten in two years, she will still need some watching over.
3) I plan to take her to private OT and ST anyway....do you think therapy at school offers a lot more?
Thanks for any help.

[Anonymous]

Have you thought about private preschool? I've heard Easter Seals is fantastic and obviously has spots and resources for special needs children.

[Anonymous]

Talk to Child Find in Arlington. There are a few preschool options, both integrated and special needs. We were very happy with our experience at Reed through Arlington, which sounds like it could be great for your daughter. In terms of services through school, you should certainly work through child find and see what services you can get through the county, but I would not rely on that alone, which it sounds like you would not anyway. If you are in a public preschool then the IEP determines what help your child needs, including services and things like assistance on the playground, stairs, etc..

[Anonymous]

I wonder if she would qualify for the county special education preschool services. What's the cutoff for those? I had a friend whose child did not qualify-he did private preschool and then went to the elementary school for OT and ST.

[Anonymous]

Unless you manage to get into one of the special ed or Montessouri preschools, then it's my understanding that there is no publically subsidized preschool services in Arlington. Kindergarden, yes, and then you will be zoned for the area you live in and given a few choices plus some other schools you can get into a lottery for. But preschool in Arlington is basically private unless you qualify.

I think you will want to look into the the Arlington VPI program, particularly the one at Arlington Traditional School. If you get into the VPI program as a four year old at ATS, you are given the option of continuing at this excellent, award winning school from K-5. We tried getting our daughter into this school this year for Kindergarten but once all the VPI and sibling spots were filled, there were only about 30 spots left and we didn't make it. But it's a fantastic public school and if you qualify for VPI you get a leg in. However, it will (I think) be to late to get in this year; the lottery was last month.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless you manage to get into one of the special ed or Montessouri preschools, then it's my understanding that there is no publically subsidized preschool services in Arlington. Kindergarden, yes, and then you will be zoned for the area you live in and given a few choices plus some other schools you can get into a lottery for. But preschool in Arlington is basically private unless you qualify.

I think you will want to look into the the Arlington VPI program, particularly the one at Arlington Traditional School. If you get into the VPI program as a four year old at ATS, you are given the option of continuing at this excellent, award winning school from K-5. We tried getting our daughter into this school this year for Kindergarten but once all the VPI and sibling spots were filled, there were only about 30 spots left and we didn't make it. But it's a fantastic public school and if you qualify for VPI you get a leg in. However, it will (I think) be to late to get in this year; the lottery was last month.

Good luck!

OP's child might qualify for the Arlington public special ed preschool. OP, I have heard really good things about the Reed School (Arlington public special ed preschool co-located with a daycare for Arlington teachers).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Talk to Child Find in Arlington. There are a few preschool options, both integrated and special needs. We were very happy with our experience at Reed through Arlington, which sounds like it could be great for your daughter. In terms of services through school, you should certainly work through child find and see what services you can get through the county, but I would not rely on that alone, which it sounds like you would not anyway. If you are in a public preschool then the IEP determines what help your child needs, including services and things like assistance on the playground, stairs, etc..

This and you might want to check out Dolley Madison:
http://www.dolleymadisonpreschool.org/index.html

[Anonymous]

Thank you! I will check out everything you said.

[Anonymous]

Depends on the teacher at Reed. I know a number of families that are not satisfied with instructors and specialist.