DownSyn Forum

RebeccaP

I am calling an IEP to request E spend another year in preschool. Her current program is so wonderful, Mon- Fri 8:15-2:00, one teacher, four paras, 15 students, 6 with IEPs.

E has gained so much this year, but I don't feel she is ready for kindergarten. She has a late birthday, in July, and if she went to kindergarten she would have to switch schools (to a school I don't want her to go to) and the staff to student ratio would be cut in half. Not to mention I have no idea how I would handle after school pick up if I had two elementary students at separate schools.

Apparently the only "level II" support system is at the other school. The principal said "well, at the other school she would be with her peers, as other students with Down syndrome attend there". That's so refreshing and convincing isn't it?

In any case, I'm curious to see how many of you kept you child in preschool another year, and what your thoughts were in doing so. I talked with the head of special ed and don't believe I'm going to have a fight on this one, but I'd like to be prepared just in case.

SherryinWI · Posted: March 05 2009, 9:19 AM Post subject:

I choose yes. However he is doing an extra year not by choice he just happens to miss the cutoff for Kindergarten by 7 days! So he will have had 3 years of EC sped before Kindergarten. The hope is that next year he can enter a larger class in a traditional JK program. It is wait and see because the program is still on the planning table for our district and they haven't determined how many positions they will have available and who can get them. Keeping my fingers crossed.

I do wish I would have help my typical developing daughter back a year. She too is also a late July birthday. I hope this helps.

_________________
Sherry
Evan 12, Olivia 11, and Nate 8*

Hosted on Fotki

RebeccaP · Posted: March 05 2009, 9:29 AM Post subject:

We opted out of EI when E was two. She only had about 10 hours a week of preschool in the following year, of which I pulled her out a little more than a month early as the result of a bad busing situation.

This year, in my opinion, was E's first full-year of "official" preschool. This is another piece of my justification with the district on repeating preschool.

lespring · Posted: March 05 2009, 9:59 AM Post subject:

She didn't, because she was ready to move on. However, I did have her repeat 1st grade.

When repeating years, you need to be really careful about looking ahead. Where does her birthday fall vs. how many years can she be in school? Sometimes it's better to repeat early grades such as kindergarden, 1st or 2nd grade, when they can get additional time to work on basic reading, writing and math skills. For some kids, because of where their birthdays fall, if they repeat an early grade they will loose transition time at the other end of their school years. For example, if Angela hadn't repeated 1st grade, she would have had almost 3 years of transition training after high school. She lost one year of that with 1st grade repeat. Since she really didn't have a second grade year (she was homebound that year) I wanted her to repeat that grade, BUT...she then would have only had one year of transition training which is NOT ENOUGH! That transition training was more important than her repeating 2nd grade.

So, it's really important to look at BOTH ends of the school years, and decide which is more important for your child.

_________________
~Leah~

My mom's blog
http://gardenofeagan.blogspot.com/

And don't forget to visit MINE!
http://itsmylifemom.blogspot.com/

mom to Rob 27, Noah 26, Tyler 24, Bryon 24, Angela 17 (DS), Axel 12 (DS, adopted from Serbia 12/2012, AAI w/fusion) Asher 8 (DS adopted from Serbia 12/2011, AAI non-fusion), Abel (DS adopted from Serbia 4/2013)

RebeccaP · Posted: March 05 2009, 11:40 AM Post subject:

Thanks Leah, and I'm sure you are right, it is important to consider this, it was one of the points the Special Ed director mentioned to me.

I however, don't see E going to school any longer than any of her siblings. With this in mind, I would still plan her exit to be 18 at the latest. I can't imagine having her in school beyond this. Although I know it's rather premature for me to say this being that she is only 4.

I'm not sure I'm even ready to think about what middle school and high school may bring. I know I have yet to ever be satisfied with any scenario I have heard of in any district we have lived thus far. Our high school isn't much on inclusion at all from what I can tell.

It feels more like a glorified daycare to me. Students are isolated, and required to clean the halls and the school during school hours, to which my H is always coming home sad because other so called typical students make fun of the students doing the cleaning. This is definitely not a place I would ever allow E to be.

Yet, realistically, I know much could change between now and those high school years, and I could certainly change my mind about how long she is in high school.

lespring · Posted: March 05 2009, 12:18 PM Post subject:

No, transition starts AFTER graduation. They graduate, then have 2 (sometimes 3 depending upon their age at graduation) years of transition training until they turn 21. It's part of high school, but they've already graduated. Hope that makes sense.

Transition training is usually about teaching independent living and job skills.

_________________
~Leah~

My mom's blog
http://gardenofeagan.blogspot.com/

And don't forget to visit MINE!
http://itsmylifemom.blogspot.com/

mom to Rob 27, Noah 26, Tyler 24, Bryon 24, Angela 17 (DS), Axel 12 (DS, adopted from Serbia 12/2012, AAI w/fusion) Asher 8 (DS adopted from Serbia 12/2011, AAI non-fusion), Abel (DS adopted from Serbia 4/2013)

kathleen · Posted: March 05 2009, 12:56 PM Post subject:

We will be continuing with preschool another year for a total of three. Avery's b-day is in September and she will be five. So now with the extra year she will just be turning six after she starts kindy. I don't think she is ready yet either. Her speech is really delayed and I want the teacher to understnad her. We will opt for an aid too, but I just want her to gain some skills next year in preschool.

_________________
__________________
Kathleen - Avery's Mommy
Chico, CA

lespring · Posted: March 05 2009, 1:35 PM Post subject:

Will your child be better served having an extra year of gaining social skills in preschool/kindgergarden, or gaining an extra year of building early learning skills such as reading and math? This totally depends upon the child.

If your child's speech is delayed in preschool and they repeat the year, will the speech still be delayed in kindergarten? Yes. Will the teacher STILL have trouble understanding the child? Yes. (though there are lots of variables here because different teachers have different skills, etc)

What happens when 1st grade rolls around and you want them to have more time for learning those early learning skills? If you want them to have any transition training at the end of their high school years they will not be able to repeat here.

So you really have to weigh some things. Will they ALWAYS be delayed in the area of social skills? Will the ALWAYS be delayed in the area of academics? Will they always be delayed in the area of speech and language? Which skills are they more likely to gain when? Which ones are the most crucial for school? Those are all though questions.

Angela entered kindgarden right after her 5th birthday. That was on the advice of her very knowledgeable special ed. staff who said, "Leah, she's not going to gain 3 years of social skills by repeating one year of preschool. Preschool is no longer challenging for her from a cognitive perspective. (meaning she knew most of the preschool material.) She'll get the same social learning in kindergarten as she would in preschool."

I'm so glad I took their advice, because as it turned out, repeating 1st grade was the best thing possible. When she struggled with early reading and math skills she was able to get that material TWICE, and have a good foundation for what she REALLY needed in 2nd grade.

Because of her basically missing 2nd grade, I wanted her to repeat it. But, a very wise parent of a now adult with DS reminded me of what happens at the other end of the educational years. That Angela would be down to only one year of transition training, and that's not enough. That transition training is SO IMPORTANT, that's WHY the law says they can stay in school until 21, so they can GET that training. And yet nobody had bothered to say anything to me about it.

Once she got past 2nd grade, the gap between her and her typical peers was beyond even considering holding her back anymore.

_________________
~Leah~

My mom's blog
http://gardenofeagan.blogspot.com/

And don't forget to visit MINE!
http://itsmylifemom.blogspot.com/

mom to Rob 27, Noah 26, Tyler 24, Bryon 24, Angela 17 (DS), Axel 12 (DS, adopted from Serbia 12/2012, AAI w/fusion) Asher 8 (DS adopted from Serbia 12/2011, AAI non-fusion), Abel (DS adopted from Serbia 4/2013)

RebeccaP · Posted: March 05 2009, 1:52 PM Post subject:

I think transition must be different in different states and individual districts, because I know ours is just like an adult daycare for students older than 18, in the school.

I still have grand plans to move near the coast, in a little house, with a garden and flowers, in a rural area, just E and I. Who knows if she will be up for that when she's an adult. Smile

Kathleen, E could really use some additional time working communication as well. I'm not at all sold that she would get that support at the kindergarten she would be required to attend.

wmartv · Posted: March 05 2009, 1:59 PM Post subject:

Because of Becca's late Sept. birthday, it wasn't something I had to consider. She will have had 3 years of preschool with each year being a combination of some spec. ed days and some typical preschool days. I think it worked out great for her. She has gotten the therapies she's needed and the one-on-one help thru spec. ed. but I think she's gained alot in both socialization and speech skills at the regular preschool. I'll never know for sure which environment helped her more but she has made such huge gains over the past year and a half that I have to believe it's the interaction with her higher functioning peers in the regular class that she has tried so hard to copy that has made a difference.

Her speech has gotten so good that you can clearly make it out every time she says "buttface", "crap" or "dammit". Laughing

I'm so happy when she just sticks with the old favorites "shoot" and "darn"...and her new favorite "geez man".

_________________
Marge
mom to Michelle 4/7/98
and Rebecca 9/30/03 (DS)

RebeccaP · Posted: March 05 2009, 2:33 PM Post subject:

I just met with the principal at the school E would attend if she went to kindergarten. The principal was very nice, but I do not like this school at all. In fact, I dislike it very much.

He kept droning on how all "Downs" elementary kids go to his school unless they are "profound" then they go to E's current school. That would be one 4th grade student who I watched pull the good ole' drop and flop in the hallway (reminded me of E). Apparently for kindergarten she would have 50% or less of her day in the actual kindergarten classroom, and the rest in a small room with students from K-3.

Bleck.

I'm so uninterested in noninclusive processes she is going to have to face no matter where we are in terms of education. I don't think any kindergarten student should share a classroom with older kids for the bulk of their day. How could any one teacher teach that many different ages, grades, and scenarios??? The teacher was way too quite and not at all very outgoing or friendly.

Ideally, I would prefer she repeat preschool and then remain at her school and they can just factor her into there level one support somehow.

Bottom line... the principal said he thought repeating preschool was agreeable. So now both principals, her teacher, and the head of Special Ed are in agreement. I made a written request for an IEP meeting just moments ago.

SherryinWI · Posted: March 05 2009, 2:40 PM Post subject:

I think it is very valid to hold back a child who is a late Summer Birthday who is typical developing. What a difference a year can bring and so much better and ready to learn. Yes, our children will be behind their peers but you have to see if your child is developmentally ready to learn too! Nate's first year in preschool he was really an observer. This year he is so much part of the class. His playskills are awesome and he is following the class routine so so well. I honestly do not see him ready for Kindergarten this coming school year. He is much more developmentally with his peers who are 3 this year and he is 4.

It really is hard to look at the other end of their education when they are only 4.

_________________
Sherry
Evan 12, Olivia 11, and Nate 8*

Hosted on Fotki

LovelyKennedy · Posted: March 05 2009, 2:48 PM Post subject:

IDK...Kennedy has a a late b-day Sept 10th but made the cutoff. She had 2 years of preschool and we never even thought about her repeating a year. Everybody was on the same page that she would start kindy, although she was only 4(for a few days anyway..LOL). I dont know if it would have made a difference for her to have 3 years of preschool....to everyone she seemed ready to move on. Good Luck! Let us know how the IEP goes!

_________________
Beth Mom to Cameron 2/26/2000, Kendall 6/25/2002 and My Lovely Kennedy 9/10/2003(DS)

THESPILS · Posted: March 05 2009, 3:01 PM Post subject:

I tried and tried to get them to keep Hunter in Pre K next year. They won't do it. But I'm still trying.......

_________________
Shaye
Bri 15, Coda 13, Hunter 6(ds), (and hubby Brad)

God reaches his hand to you through angels you have never seen as well as people you've seldom been without.

burnsun · Posted: March 05 2009, 3:07 PM Post subject: we have

no choice in preschool...... if the are the right age..... off the go if you want the district to pay for it.... if you want to send to private preschool.... you can.....

we have done two years of Kindergarten for Colin & Melea and that is my plan fpr Eliza...... she has her kgn transition meeting this month!

Our after hs plan is same as Leahy describes!

_________________
Jane
mom to
Colin Miguel (11/19/00) DS & type 1 diabetes, ASD
Devon Richard(4/13/01) DS & Autism & Partial Complex, Seizures terology of Fallot
& Retinal detachment w partial blindness at this time
Melea Isabelle(2/13/02) DS
Adrian Elliott (7/04/03) ADD
Eliza Marisol (5/15/04) DS , ASD, pulmonary hypertension, ADHD, ODD, Autism Spectrum Disorder,
Miranda Olivia (2/1/05) DS & Partial Complex Seisure Disorder & iratractable epilepsy & Stero Typical Movement Disorder & AV Canal
Jordan Alexander(3/17/2007)ADHD
Emerson James (1/08/2009) 33 week preemie
Sarah Emmaline "Emma" Grace (2/15/2011) 35week little one with a variety of issues inc: cp & fragile x & Seizures & severe birth trauma & G-J tube, Severe reflux, and recurent pnumonia and tracheosomy and vent chugging princess since 8/24/2012!

wife to the best & greatest guy Eric

http://princessgrumpy.blogspot.com/
read about the daily adventures of Princess grumpy and her special siblings and their daily adventures

http://thegrumpyfamily.blogspot.com/
the family blog of our unique & special family

RebeccaP · Posted: March 05 2009, 3:28 PM Post subject:

Fortunately, money is not a factor for E's preschool. It's a full-time program, but costs are covered by special education, so while a so-called typical child wouldn't be allowed to spend another year in E's preschool, she is able to do so. Our principal called and we are not even going to have the IEP, we are just going to move forward with plan for preschool one more year.

I believe it's in her best interest, she has learned so much there, and she isn't going to get such good staff to student ratios any time beyond this year and the coming year. E only receives speech services, no pt, ot, or anything else. She was potty trained in during winter break, and is using more words, but she doesn't think like a kindergartener at all in my opinion, and could not handle much more in terms of circle time or classroom time, at least not any time soon.

ellenstumbo · Posted: March 05 2009, 4:07 PM Post subject:

lespring wrote:

No, transition starts AFTER graduation. They graduate, then have 2 (sometimes 3 depending upon their age at graduation) years of transition training until they turn 21. It's part of high school, but they've already graduated. Hope that makes sense.

Transition training is usually about teaching independent living and job skills.

So what about plans for college? How does this apply?

_________________
Ellen, honored to be married to Andy since Feb 2003 and mom to Ellie (08/21/05) Nina (05/01/06 CP) and Nichole (10/02/07 DS)
www.elliestumbo.blogspot.com

"For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14
God does not make mistakes

ellenstumbo · Posted: March 05 2009, 4:09 PM Post subject:

wmartv wrote:

Because of Becca's late Sept. birthday, it wasn't something I had to consider. She will have had 3 years of preschool with each year being a combination of some spec. ed days and some typical preschool days. I think it worked out great for her. She has gotten the therapies she's needed and the one-on-one help thru spec. ed. but I think she's gained alot in both socialization and speech skills at the regular preschool. I'll never know for sure which environment helped her more but she has made such huge gains over the past year and a half that I have to believe it's the interaction with her higher functioning peers in the regular class that she has tried so hard to copy that has made a difference.

Nichole has an early October birthday, so she will be similar to your becca. At what age did she start Pre-school, and at what age did she start Kinder?

_________________
Ellen, honored to be married to Andy since Feb 2003 and mom to Ellie (08/21/05) Nina (05/01/06 CP) and Nichole (10/02/07 DS)
www.elliestumbo.blogspot.com

"For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14
God does not make mistakes

ecki · Posted: March 05 2009, 5:01 PM Post subject:

If I could keep Kayla at her current preschool for another year, I would. However, due to NY freaky funding reasons, if I wanted to repeat PreK it would have to be done at the local elementary school. And if she's going to go to the local elementary school she might as well be in Kindy.

If Kayla's going to go to a special ed program (public or private), then it would be Kindergarten since they don't have PreK programs.

_________________
Ecki

MomMom of Kayla (Ds/Autism 4/5/04) and Laurie (PDD-NOS 7/12/01)

Our Blog - Opposite Kids
Kayla's Story http://www.ecki.com/kayla/

Friend me on FACEBOOK (please specify Downsyn, so I know who you are!)

coolmommy99 · Posted: March 05 2009, 5:11 PM Post subject:

Rebecca, I'm going through this same dilemma with Sarah right now. We have Kindergarden Round-Up tomorrow night and DH & I are going just to check out the different programs our county has. I've weighed the pros/cons of a Montessori program to being included in a reg. ed classroom with either a full-time aid or just pull-outs. Sarah has made great strides this year in all areas. I know she's still well below her typical peers, I think she would do well in K, but at the same time, I don't want her to flounder in K when she could have had an extra year.
They have a typical preschool program on campus here called "Kindergarden Readiness". But, because she'll turn 6 during the next school year, their funding won't cover her. I've been told she could go to the Head Start preschool, which is in the same building as the other one.
It's all so confusing. Sarah turns 5 near the end of April, so she really is old enough. But, then again, she looks like a 3 year old, lol. She just got weighed today and she's 31 lbs. and 36 inches tall.
Know that I'm thinking of you guys and I hope you're able to come to a consensus with your local school. ((Hugs))

_________________
Amanda
Wife to Jeff
Emma 12/10/99
Sarah (T21) 4/20/04
Katherine 6/8/06

Tigger · Posted: March 05 2009, 5:30 PM Post subject:

Around here kids have to go to school (as in kinder) the year they turn 6. But Talitha doesn't turn 6 until November so we will be able to put her in kinder the next year. She is currently doing 1/2 day at an EI preschool and 1/2 a day at a typical preschool. I am going to do this next year and the year after if I can (with an increase in days as she can handle it) and then she will progress to school. So that basically means 3 years of preschool.

At the other end she can stay in school until she is 21 if necessary but there are programs around here for kids with disabilities leaving school. They can attend these programs for a long time. Some are still there and they are in their 30's.

_________________
Karyn
Mum to Nikki (Jul 89), Stefanie (Sep 96), Joel [June 98] and Talitha (DS) (Nov 05) AVSD/PDA repaired 23 March 06

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well." Psalm 139:14

marlene · Posted: March 05 2009, 11:46 PM Post subject:

Aleena turned 5 the end of January. She will go to kindergarten next year. Aleena is a big girl - 42 inches and 42 pounds - she's the same size as her typical peers. Because of her size and the time of year of her birthday, I think it's better to move her on. BUT, if her birthday was in July like E's and she was a little smaller, I would probably wait. LOL

_________________
Marlene, mommy to my precious Aleena (1/30/04)

RebeccaP · Posted: March 06 2009, 8:33 AM Post subject:

E is NOT small. She is just about 40 inches tall, and 37 1/2 pounds. She is wearing size 5/6 now. In fact, she is just one size smaller than her brother who will be 8 in April.

She's a tall girl!!!

Googsmom · Posted: March 06 2009, 10:00 AM Post subject:

"It feels more like a glorified daycare to me. Students are isolated, and required to clean the halls and the school during school hours, to which my H is always coming home sad because other so called typical students make fun of the students doing the cleaning. This is definitely not a place I would ever allow E to be. "

.......... Rebecca, this is nutz. Are you serious? I can't imagine this Shocked

_________________
Jennifer, Momma to The Brookster 4 yrs old

www.specialneedsinmolalla.blogspot.com
www.foundalongthejourneythroughholland.blogspot.com

wmartv · Posted: March 06 2009, 10:58 AM Post subject:

Ellen - Becca started preschool at 3 when she transitioned out of Infants and Toddlers. They actually let her start at 2 since her birthday was so soon. And we also signed her up then for the 2's program at a typical preschool. So she turned five a month after starting the 4's program and will be five at the start of Kindergarten (for a month).

_________________
Marge
mom to Michelle 4/7/98
and Rebecca 9/30/03 (DS)

marlene · Posted: March 06 2009, 9:18 PM Post subject:

Rebecca, E sounds like she's right there with Aleena. She's in size 5 for bottoms and size 6 for tops.

_________________
Marlene, mommy to my precious Aleena (1/30/04)

RebeccaP · Posted: March 07 2009, 1:34 PM Post subject:

Yes, the high school is certainly not a place I would allow E to attend, maybe not even the middle school. I don't know... thankfully those years are not a worry at this point since she is so young.

CT Pedal Pounder · Posted: March 07 2009, 9:56 PM Post subject:

We live in CT and we were told at our transitional PPT that because Stephen's Birthday is December 11 and the cut off in our State is (rediculious) December 31st, he will have to enter Kdg in September while he is still 4. I still haven't figured out what I am going to do. they say that it is a funding reason for moving once eligible.

I wouldn't send a typical boy with a birthday that late to Kdg. Why would I send a child who is delayed?

Anyway I would definitely hold a child back of I didn't think they were ready for the next step.

Glad it worked out for you to stay in PS one more year!

_________________
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r62/newlaurs/0512081025.jpg

Brian & Laureen {stepmom to Shane (5/28/1988) and mommy to Stephen (12-11-2005) (DS)}

I would rather live my life believing in God and die to find out He doesn't exist; than to live my life not believing in God and die to find out He does exist.

Renee Lacey's mom · Posted: March 08 2009, 7:42 AM Post subject:

Lacey spent a year in Sped prek and now she is in a regular ed pre k. She will go to Kindergarten this coming school year~

_________________
Renee~~ mom to Haley 10,Kassidy 8, & Lacey(DS) 4 & wife to Chris!!

* An extra little Chromosome thats all it is, you see. Where all of you were born with 2, my angel was blessed with 3.*

momlorac · Posted: March 08 2009, 12:23 PM Post subject:

CT Pedal Pounder wrote:

We live in CT and we were told at our transitional PPT that because Stephen's Birthday is December 11 and the cut off in our State is (rediculious) December 31st, he will have to enter Kdg in September while he is still 4. I still haven't figured out what I am going to do. they say that it is a funding reason for moving once eligible.

I wouldn't send a typical boy with a birthday that late to Kdg. Why would I send a child who is delayed?

Anyway I would definitely hold a child back of I didn't think they were ready for the next step.

Glad it worked out for you to stay in PS one more year!

We live in CT too. Abigail Birthday is in August. They said she could stay another year. I want her to move on. I would rather she have the years at the end . She will probally be held back in elementry. I want to save ao time at the end of her school year. My cousin who works for the state told me that the money goes with the child. Where ever the child goes the money goes with them. I am still not sure what I will do with her. She tiny but she will be small if I held her back too. My 10 year old has alsways been the smallest in her class too.

_________________
Carol mom to Adam 6/17/96 ,Emily 8/7/98, Abigail (DS)8/16/04

Helen · Posted: March 09 2009, 8:59 AM Post subject:

I don't understand the education system in US so well, but Matt started school a couple of months after he turned 3. All children are offered a place in a school on their 3rd birthday - usally part time, where they do 'Foundation 1 (nursery). At Matt's school they can go full-time from 3, so that's what he did. We chose to keep him with his peers, and he went up to Foundation 2 (Reception), and then on to Year 1 now he is 5yrs. I couldn't get him out of Foundation 2 quick enough - the teacher was awful.

However, if Matt wasn't keeping up so well with his peers academically this year, there is a good chance I'd be pushing to keep him in Yr 1 for another year, as he has learnt so much from being in that class. He is small, but there are two others in his class who are just as small, so that's not an issue. So he will just move on to Yr 2 with his classmates in September. I figure he will never be at their level of development, or ever catch up with them, so, as he's 5, I may as well keep him with the other 5yr olds.

All the best with your repeat year!

_________________
Helen

Mum to ...
Rachael, Matt - DS & Autism - and Hannah. My gorgeous kids!

oomyzus · Posted: May 13 2009, 10:22 PM Post subject: repeating preschool

We had a class in my Katie's school called transition kindergarten for kids who were not quite ready for kindergarten. It was probably the best option for her as she needed to start getting some academic skills although she was happier in PK. If that had not been available I probably would have tried to keep her in PK another year. She loved it. She did go to an inclusion Kindergarten all day after transition kindergarten and it was great. First grade has been more of a challenge. She is in an inclusion class and there was not enough support just a SPED teacher for 2 1/2 hours a day to help with the 4 SPED students in the class. Katie needs more support than that. We are hoping for more support next year and did ask for more on her recent IEP. We will probably repeat first grade and that will be it for repeats. I am not too worried about the years on the other end because we have some other training programs available. We missed the preschool, kindergarten facility terribly. If there is any doubt I would stay where you know she is happy as long as she is still learning, not too bored.