? Special Needs PreK

[funtime2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close funtime2]

Does anyone have knowledge of Special Needs PreK age limits. My situation is....I have a daughter that will be 5 in Feb. She is the size of a 2 to 3 year old, limited communication, not potty trained, but also is not a behavior problem and can function to some extent, but is not ready for reg. Kindergarden either. In my opinion and the opinion of several therapist that she sees, another year in the special PreK would be much to her benefit. I have been told that holding her back in the special PreK is not an option because it is a Federal Program that ages out at 5yrs old. Any help or references you can give me is much appreacited. We live in NC.

[dale7 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dale7]

Check with the school district to find out if they have special needs classes for your child or could they help you with your situation.

[funtime2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close funtime2]

dale - that is who is telling me that I can't leave her in that class for another year so I am searching why. If I find out that I can then I will put up a fight to leave her where she is for another year which is the Specail Needs Pre K

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

dale - that is who is telling me that I can't leave her in that class for another year so I am searching why. If I find out that I can then I will put up a fight to leave her where she is for another year which is the Special Needs Pre K

In NY and I know other states as well, if the school district can't meet your DDs needs as set up in the IEP, they must place her in a private program that DOES meet her needs - the district might change their mind about aging her out if they know you are going to pursue this legally.
Find an educational advocate in your area that specializes in getting childrens needs met - setting the tone now with the school district will maybe save you trouble later on.

Good Luck! I have sent you a pm..

[dale7 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dale7]

Does anyone have knowledge of Special Needs PreK age limits. My situation is....I have a daughter that will be 5 in Feb. She is the size of a 2 to 3 year old, limited communication, not potty trained, but also is not a behavior problem and can function to some extent, but is not ready for reg. Kindergarden either. In my opinion and the opinion of several therapist that she sees, another year in the special PreK would be much to her benefit. I have been told that holding her back in the special PreK is not an option because it is a Federal Program that ages out at 5yrs old. Any help or references you can give me is much appreacited. We live in NC.

A lot of large school districts in CA they have therapist in the school districts to to help with this type of situation. This is the best help that I can give you I will still ask some friends.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

I just realized who this is!!!

..and your DD is going to be 5????
Wow, does time fly....would love to see some pix if you get a chance

[3kids4me Super Moderator and Super Mom Find all posts View Profile Close 3kids4me]

Laws vary by state. In our state, parents in the state-funded special needs pre-K often hold their kids back a year before entering Kindergarten as you are looking to do. As Pat advised, find an advocate who knows the law (not all advocates do) and call an IEP meeting. (You have a right to call one whenever you want, and they must hold it.) A local educational lawyer may also be willing to accompany you to an IEP meeting. Often this is enough to get what you need if, in fact, it is available.

I would also strongly advise joining COPAA (Council of Parents, Attorneys and Advocates - Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates )...where you may even be able to get your question answered on the message board since it is mainly populated by attorneys and advocates. Their advice may be very helpful to you on an ongoing basis, as you travel down what can be a challenging educational road with your special little girl. I have found the COPAA folks to be eminently helpful on a number of occassions.

Much luck.

Sharon

[Denise Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Denise]

Since our local CA school district (SD) could not meet my daughter's needs at age 3, we enrolled her in a private preschool program. She stayed in this program for three years (held back during her Kindergarten year). She still received speech therapy (ST) and occupational therapy (OT) through the SD, and the SD covered tuition. We jointly funded a 1:1 aide and home therapy for my daughter, plus we funded private speech, OT, counseling, and additional play therapy.

We are now heavily in debt, and had to fight the SD every step of the way to cover anything at all, but my daughter began talking at age 4 years, 3 months, and skipped Kindergarten. She is now in 3rd grade (age appropriate age), still 2+ years behind socially, but doing okay. She still receives some SD services (1:1 aide, ST, adaptive physical education (APE)), and we privately fund whatever we can.

I agree with others. Find an advocate. Also find a support group and others who are going through what you are going through. Many I know have hired lawyers as well.

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

I agree with what the other posters have said about seeking an attorney or advocate...but I wanted to tell you that here in NJ the age situation is similar to what you are describing. Early Intervention covers children up to age 5; after that the children are considered school age and the local school district takes over.

Usually EI and the school district work together to find appropriate placement for a child; sometimes there is a handoff meeting where all the team participants for EI and all the school district's child study team gather with the parents to review the case and plan the new IEP.

Have you called the child study team in your school district to discuss your little girl? If not, I would check in with them. You should probably schedule a meeting with them and bring your advocate or attorney to that meeting. Remember, DON'T SIGN ANYTHING at the meeting other than the piece of paper that says you attended.

[funtime2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close funtime2]

Thanks for all the advise and encouragement. I am a teacher in the same school that Caroline will be attending when she goes to grade school. Not sure if that is good or bad. For those who know genetic disorders, Caroline is a Trisomy 18 mosiac (Edwards Syndrome). To live to be age 5 does not happen often - so there is no "book" answer to go by. We are so bless with this special child.

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

You are a very special mother. (((hugs))) Just wanted to say that it is very, very unlikely that your SD will want to mainstream your little one in a regular K classroom. I get the impression that that might be what you are worried about? Please don't worry about that, it is extremely unlikely, in my opinion--certainly it would be extremely unlikely here in NJ.

The SD may not have an appropriate setting for her in the district, but they are legally obligated to pay for an appropriate private school, and getting the payment for that is where the lawyer comes in.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

funtime2 asked me to post these pictures of her DD

Thanks for all the advise and encouragement. I am a teacher in the same school that Caroline will be attending when she goes to grade school. Not sure if that is good or bad. For those who know genetic disorders, Caroline is a Trisomy 18 mosiac (Edwards Syndrome). To live to be age 5 does not happen often - so there is no "book" answer to go by. We are so bless with this special child.

Here are pictures of your DD - I can't believe how she has grown and is ready for school!



"Fun" and I met online several years ago when she posted about her DD - I was involved in the care of a baby with Trisomy 13 and referred 'fun' to SOFT SOFT : Nonprofit Volunteer Organization For Children With Trisomy 13 and Trisomy 18 - a wonderful organization for kids/adults with trisomy disorders.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

You are a very special mother. (((hugs))) Just wanted to say that it is very, very unlikely that your SD will want to mainstream your little one in a regular K classroom. I get the impression that that might be what you are worried about? Please don't worry about that, it is extremely unlikely, in my opinion--certainly it would be extremely unlikely here in NJ.

The SD may not have an appropriate setting for her in the district, but they are legally obligated to pay for an appropriate private school, and getting the payment for that is where the lawyer comes in.

Excellent, excellent advice!