Inclusion

[Guest guest]

Hi Amy,

I have just decided to put my daughter in an inclusion class next year after

having been in an early intervention special ed class this year (she will be

three in June). She fortunately has made so much progress due to therapy,

preschool, and ProEFA, that she will not qualify for special ed next year,

although she does have verbal apraxia and SI issues. It was my understanding

that an inclusion class by definition has both special needs and " normal "

children and a teacher who is trained to deal with special needs kids, as

well as an individual aide for those children who require one. It seems as

if the program you are describing is just a regular preschool. So much is

dependent upon how good the teacher and assistants are - can you observe the

class to judge the atmosphere and how the staff interacts with the children?

Will there be other special needs children in the class, and is their level

of functioning similar to that of your child? It seems that your child might

be entitled to more services and they are trying to avoid providing them.

I know how agonizing every decision is regarding your child's future - I

spent so many sleepless nights deciding whether or not to even put my

daughter in school when she was so young, but it worked out so well for her.

Remember, you can always change your mind if it doesn't work out. Follow

your instincts - I looked at many schools for my daughter, and this was the

only one that I got a positive feeling about. Good luck.

Barbara