Best school for a child who is smart, but has SEVERE motor delays?

[Anonymous]

We just moved from out of state. Does anyone have a child similar to mine? Where do they go to school? He is 4 years old. Cannot crawl or walk, fine motor is so delayed he cannot self feed, but is otherwise smart? He knows his colors and letters, for example. He enjoyed the preschool through our school district last year, but as he gets older, I get worried about the lack of progress with fine motor. Our last school didn't really address self help skills, despite being in his IEP. It was way more academic than I was expecting. Will FCPS be the same? I'm starting to wonder despite the apparent intelligence, I need to think about places like St. Coletta's. At least for a year or two while he still has a lot of brain plasticity and can make a lot of progress in OT and learning those skills.

[Anonymous]

If you were in MCPS I would say Forest Knolls.

[Anonymous]

How does he communicate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just moved from out of state. Does anyone have a child similar to mine? Where do they go to school? He is 4 years old. Cannot crawl or walk, fine motor is so delayed he cannot self feed, but is otherwise smart? He knows his colors and letters, for example. He enjoyed the preschool through our school district last year, but as he gets older, I get worried about the lack of progress with fine motor. Our last school didn't really address self help skills, despite being in his IEP. It was way more academic than I was expecting. Will FCPS be the same? I'm starting to wonder despite the apparent intelligence, I need to think about places like St. Coletta's. At least for a year or two while he still has a lot of brain plasticity and can make a lot of progress in OT and learning those skills.

Where do you live?

St. Coletta's is not for kids who don't also have intellectual deficits.

In MD or Virginia the public preschool options will be part time. You can and probably should find private services for the other days to work on what the child isn't getting enough of in school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you were in MCPS I would say Forest Knolls.

It's Stephen Knolls, right? In Kensington?

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/knolls/

[Anonymous]

I'd do private OT and PT through your insurance, and hire an after-school sitter who can reinforce (assuming that you work FT). There's a lot you can do in the home to reinforce the skills.

Also maybe look into assistive technologies so he can learn despite motor difficulties?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you were in MCPS I would say Forest Knolls.

It's Stephen Knolls, right? In Kensington?

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/knolls/

No, Forest Knolls and another school upcountry house the physical disabilities programs for preschool and elementary school. FK is a fantastic program. The elementary is full inclusion in a building that is fully accessible and has extra things like PT and specially trained teachers.

They target kids who are on a diploma track, and whose disabilities are specifically physical.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you are in FCPS, but I'd echo the PPs if you were willing to move to MD. Forest Knolls and Bethesda Elementary are both committed to full inclusion and specialize in kids with only physical disabilities. There are other programs for kids who also have cognitive differences.

Or...just call the Office of Special Education where you live and ask. I can't imagine they don't have a program for kids with physical disabilities and no other issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like you are in FCPS, but I'd echo the PPs if you were willing to move to MD. Forest Knolls and Bethesda Elementary are both committed to full inclusion and specialize in kids with only physical disabilities. There are other programs for kids who also have cognitive differences.

Or...just call the Office of Special Education where you live and ask. I can't imagine they don't have a program for kids with physical disabilities and no other issues.

BE isn't full inclusion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How does he communicate?

He has some words and signs, and he has an AAC iPad. His understanding is age level. I thought the AAC would motivate him to use his hands more, but ironically, he attempts to speak the words more to avoid using it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd do private OT and PT through your insurance, and hire an after-school sitter who can reinforce (assuming that you work FT). There's a lot you can do in the home to reinforce the skills.

Also maybe look into assistive technologies so he can learn despite motor difficulties?

This is pretty much what we did last year, except I stay at home with him. But frankly, I'm getting burnt out. Plus, he resists practicing OT related things with me. He's much more willing to do the PT and ST homework with me. I'm just at a loss what to do.

[Anonymous]

St. Coletta's will not be the correct place for a child of average intelligence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like you are in FCPS, but I'd echo the PPs if you were willing to move to MD. Forest Knolls and Bethesda Elementary are both committed to full inclusion and specialize in kids with only physical disabilities. There are other programs for kids who also have cognitive differences.

Or...just call the Office of Special Education where you live and ask. I can't imagine they don't have a program for kids with physical disabilities and no other issues.

BE isn't full inclusion.

We are at Bethesda Elementary and there are children with a similar level of need. It is my understanding that BE accepts disabled children from neighboring elementary schools because they are a center and have the specialized staff and equipment (wheelchairs, treadmill, special exercise bikes, and probably other things in classrooms that I have not seen). I do not know how large the catchment area is for BE.

From personal experience, I have found that children with special needs are often thought of as wanting in the top story. My son, after years of having his special needs met wonderfully at BE, was finally recognized to be gifted as well, and moved on to a middle school program for gifted and learning disabled children. It was hard work persuading the teachers and special educators to see beyond his motor, verbal and other disabilities, even though they were all decent, intelligent people. I know there have been physically disabled children in the program, although the ones I know were all ambulatory and verbal. Your son is only 4, I'm sure he will catch up and might benefit from such a program.

Please call MCPS special ed and they will answer your questions.
One final thing - you are your child's best educator. Homeschooling is always an option. We nearly went there after a couple of difficult years.

[Anonymous]

Op are you in D.C. or Va or where? In DC I might look into Easter Seals Child Development Center. They are an inclusive program, mostly daycare but they also offer preK that is free, I'm pretty sure. They have on staff PT and OTs who are very good.

If you are doing the lottery I would try for Creative Minds. I don't know if they currently have any students with physical disabilities of that significance but they are dedicated to inclusion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:St. Coletta's will not be the correct place for a child of average intelligence.

This is good to know. Thank you.