Successful IEP's????

[Guest guest]

,

Had to put my two cents in because what you wrote reminded me so much of how

I felt a year and a half ago when early intervention was recommending so much

therapy for my daughter that I thought they were absolutely crazy!!!

I must tell you that OT benefitted her as much as Speech - her OT was

extremely knowledgeable about alternative therapies, diet, etc. and really

educated me. Working on fine motor skills is always good, but large motor

skills support speech and motor planning, which is often necessary to better

develop. You can always discontinue therapies if you feel they are no longer

necessary, but you may find that your child enjoys and benefits from them.

As far as special ed preschools, which I was horrified at first to think that

needed: the one she is going to now is so wonderful that I am

fighting to keep her there next year. The staff to child ratio is far

greater than even the best private preschool and the teacher is certified

special ed and much better qualified to deal with issues than a regular

teacher. Some classes are high functioning kids-if you went to my daughter's

class you would think that all but maybe one or two kids are " typical. "

Everything they do is purposeful and language based - I have not found

anywhere near that level of stimulation in any of the private preschools I

have looked at. Even during free play, they are constantly encouraging the

children to verbalize, interact, play appropriately, etc. At the private

schools I have been looking at, the teachers are often just watching during

free play.

I'm not saying that all EI programs are like this, or all OTs are that

helpful, but my experience has totally turned around my thinking.

Just because you are accepting services now does not mean that your child

will always need them. The goal is to get the help now so that by Pre-K or

kindergarten he will hopefully no longer need it. I know its very

overwhelming at first, but that fades after a while. You will find so much

support and information here and at the CHERAB website. Good luck!

Barbara