We has our first official "transition to preschool" meeting yesterday. It was pretty exciting! Max and I met with the special education intake coordinator and our family resource coordinator at a local preschool.
Max used his walker to move around the classroom and it was so wonderful to look ahead and imagine him at SCHOOL. (In case Max isn't walking independently yet, the coordinator/teacher said they will make accomodations for him to use his walker at school...that was very reassuring!) He actually sat at the table with us for most of the meeting and played with his cars. Really cute...and so grown up!
Here's basically what is happening: once a child graduates reaches his third birthday, he graduates from the Birth to Three program. If he qualifies for additional support due to a delay, he moves on to preschool through the school district. There are several to choose from and it usually is based on where you live and what your needs are.
The process begins six months prior to the child's third birthday. There are many, many steps in that time period. Despite any diagnosis, a child must qualify based on numerous tests and be seen by various therapists.
Because of Max's hearing loss, there is one particular school they recommended for him. The teacher is proficient in sign language! That will be so helpful, as Max is relying more and more on signing for expressive language. The next step (due to Max's medical issues) is for the school nurse and I to meet and review medical history, make a plan to keep Max safe, etc. The intake coordinator will also be gathering information on Maxwell (because of the number of doctors and therapists involved in his care, this will definitely take some time!) and meet with the various schools and teachers.
I certainly have a few reservations about Max attending school, but most are focused on his health. However, we discussed that quite a bit and they definitely recognize there will need to be special accomodations. (And he won't actually start school until September, so he has eight more months to get super healthy and strong!)
Overall, I am REALLY looking forward to school because I know it will be great for him socially and cognitively. The hearing loss will certainly be an obstacle in communicating with other children, but we'll just take that one day at a time.
Wow, my lil' man is going to be going to school...very, very exciting! :) (And what a lucky teacher to spend time with Mighty Max!)
9 comments:
We only have 2 months to go and Eva will be in school. We just had our 1st meeting, wow 6 months in advance that great you get so much time to prepare.
Hugs,
Crystal and Eva
Oh, how on earth will you stand it when he's in preschool? That will be so tough for you. Max will be like "bye mom, see ya later, I've got stuff to do here" It's so fabulous for him to go into the big kid world, but bitersweet all the same as your baby grows up! We'll have to take you to Starbucks that first day to self-medicate while he's doing his big kid stuff:)
congratulations on this huge step of many..I am so excited for both of you.
Amy,
My son, who is exactly one week younger than Max, is extremely speech delayed. Unfortunately, we did not discover Birth To Three until September 2007, but they are still trying to get as much therapy in as possible. It is such a great program, and I am very thankful for it! We have our "transition" meeting set for February. I am so nervous about it and the thought of him going to school at three years old. But, as you said, it will be good for his social skills, because other than church, he is completely around adults.
I am so glad you have shared Max and your incredible lives with us! You are certainly blessed, and God knew what he was doing in giving Max you for a mother! What a team! You are truly an inspiration!
What a big boy you are. Going to school, school My, my, how far you have come. What a lucky school and teacher. Can't wait to see how you do.
Hugs and Kisses,
Diane and Alexandra
What a big boy Max! And I agree that your teacher is one LUCKY person to get you! Thanks Amy for the details on the transition planning.
wow how great for u all bet ull b having soem much needed breaks but i know ull b worrying alot
Max will do great in school!! Three seems so young to be going to school, but it did Katie a WORLD of good--she made such huge strides! And the communication really hasn't been too much of a problem. Her classmates are so excited to learn sign language! They all wait for her to get in the room in the morning, and each one walks over and signs "Hi, Katie" to her. So sweet! I thought I was going to bawl like a baby in front of all of them the first time I saw this! :-)
preschool??? i guess it is getting closer to that time huh? i want to know where you're thinking of enrolling him!
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