Hello,
After a recent consultation with the local school district, it was determined that my child has a speech delay, some processing issues and perhaps a rather short attention span. Because he is only 3 1/2 they steered away from any formal lables at this time. They suggested I get him in speech therapy, which have done, it starts in mid June, but also recomend that I find him a structured preschool program with a small class size, more indiviualized attention. He has been in an inhome daycare since he was 6 weeks old. It is time to transition him.
I need a school that is in the Collin County area, with teachers experienced with special needs children, that is year around, even in summer. I have researched Montessori Schools as they seem to be very prevalant in my area, but I dont believe my child would benefit from that environment. Thanks for any information you may have!!
You should check out the programs at the Callier Center at UTD in Richardson. My son did the PLDP (Preschool Language Development Program) a few years ago. There will probably be a wait list. Good Luck!
I am also looking for a preschool for my son who has special needs. He has been in a home-care since 3 months old and now needs to transition to a preschool program. I was told to check Apple Creek and Timberbend in Allen. I love the Apple Creek program but my son isn't old enough for a full day/week program. There are also several church schools that partner with the school district but are not full day programs (end at 2PM) so they don't work for me. If you are interested in the names of those churches, let me know. I am interested in what you found for your son. Please share your research.
I second the Callier Center at UTD. But I'm curious to why the school district didn't offer you pre-school and services for your child. It sounds a though he qualified based on speech alone. There are 3 in the Collin County area. My youngest son goes to one of them and they are highly trained with kids with special needs. Their classrooms are made up of regular attending kids, special need children, 2 teachers, and 1 speech therapist. My youngest who also has processing issues; Apraxia of Speech started mid-year after 2 different preschools and has totally flourished there! It is awesome! I can't say enough good things about them. He loves school. Also, you mentioned that your son has processing issues. I hope you don't mind me offering you advise in this area as well. You do need to provide him with the appropiate speech therapy. Even if he has mild Apraxia, he should be receiving a minimum of therapy 5x a week. Financially impossible....So you need to find a therapist that demands that you sit in the therapy and send you home with the tools and lesson to do therapy between therapy. They should also we trained in PROMPT. Also, a lot of therapist will "treat" processing issues, but not be trained in it. If you need any help/ advise on therapist or therapy, please feel free to email me. We've been to a lot of places. My oldest also need speech therapy although he did not have processing issues. Good Luck! PS we had the short attention span too .... the teacher just made sure that he sat close and redirected him back into the activity...They are constantly moving there so it was easy to do. :)
I don't understand TX, we are new here by only 2 years and I've ran into a lot of things that just plain confuse me. I have a special needs son but I'm thanking my lucky stars we were living in another state at the time he was red flagged w/issues because the school district took over immediately and placed him in a school at 18 months of age. My cousin who lives here in the area whom also has a special needs son that just turned 2 was referred by her in-home therapist to http://grace-efc.org/gemexpress as they supposedly have a great program for kids w/special needs. Try there, hopefully it'll be a place your child thrives at!! Good luck!!!
It would probably be beneficial for you to get a "shadow" to go with him to his preschool. There are a few who do accept that. We went to Apple Creek in Frisco and it was one of the greatest experiences. The owner has a child with special needs and she is very knowledgeable and caring. Have you considered any other therapies besides speech? If you are interested I could help point you in other directions.
L. :)
