Thanks

[Guest guest]

ROSE WE LOVE YOU TOO AND GLAD YOU HAD AN UNEVENTFUL DAY. GLAD YOU GOT TO

HAVE DINNER WITH YOUR FAMILY.

HUGS

SHARON

When your up to your butt in alligators, it's hard to remember your 1st

objective was to drain the swamp.

Sharon

THANKS

I JUST WANTED TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR BIRTHDAY WISHES.

AS OF RIGHT NOW I AM JUST GOING TO HAVE DINNER WITH MY FAMILY AND

PROBABLY RENT A MOVIE (THANKS FOR THAT IDEA MARCY).

LOVE YOU GUYS

ROSE

[Guest guest]

for your encouragement, Ms. Berg.

To: sList Sent: Tue, June 8, 2010 7:21:03 PMSubject: Re: Re:recommend a McKay school

Hi Mr. Heifferon,

just like Ramona, I too have dificulties understanding why you are so negative to the clusters?

Ramona; every child diagnosed with DD will have to change the diagnosis at the age of 6.

If they diagnose him with "autism", he will have the right to attend a cluster program. If he does not get "autism", he will not be able to receive these services. It sounds like he is a great kid. Don't worry too much. Go to see his teacher every marking period (4 times a year) and become friend with your teacher. Invite her to your home and to his birthdays. A close relationship between you and her will make miracles in your kid' s life.

Liz

From: Ramona H. <mamabear_sunrise@ yahoo.com>To: sList@ yahoogroups. comSent: Tue, June 8, 2010 2:10:00 PMSubject: Re: Re:recommend a McKay school

Hello Mr. Heifferon:

When I was called at the end of his school year in a PLACE program I was asked if I accepted his eligibility be changed from

"developmentally delayed, OT, Speech" to "Autism" eligibility. Due to the public school's evaluation and his PLACE teacher's observation.

When I was in this meeting at his PLACE school office, it was someone hit me over the head and I was dizzy with these new findings.

I always thought my kids was just slower than others ?! who knew. I followed this up with my own personal quest. Took him

to a neurologist who confirmed he is on the Autism Spectrum. He has lite stims, like looks out of the corner of his eye at things and

waves/counts his little fingers when he is bored. That's as far as stimming. Had potty issues and very strict eater.

Has really good behavior and listens to you if he "understands"

what you are actually "saying". He does have the lack of language/conversati on, but is EXCELLENT with math, for a 5 year old.

EXCELLENT on the computer and great at reading your face. I'm floored by it.

But does NOT CONVERSE, just says 2 word utterances and

names things around him. Very accurately, too. He's affectionate and overall a good easy kid.

I was told that within a cluster he would have more speech therapy and more one on one teaching. Since he

has trouble focusing on non=preferred tasks. I don't konw what to do at this point. I thought a cluster was the

best thing for a child on the spectrum (He is PDD diagosed)... ..Any advise is appreciated. God bless all you parents

going thru this journey as well

Ramona.

From: Heifferon <gary00001msn (DOT) com>To: sList@ yahoogroups. comSent: Mon, June 7, 2010 2:42:55 PMSubject: RE: Re:recommend a McKay school

Hi Mama Bear,

Why isn't he going into a regular ed class with appropriate support? The cluster should be the place of last resort.

From: sList@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:sList @yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of Ilyssa HersheySent: Monday, June 07, 2010 12:05 PMTo: sList@ yahoogroups. comSubject: Re: Re:recommend a McKay school

Dear Ramona,

Speech and OT services are not part of the curriculum/program, but parents have the therapist of their choice come to the school during the school day to see the student(s) for therapy. The parent pays the therapist directly. We also have two wonderful therapists that are here two to three full days a week if you needed a recommendation.

Hope that helps.

dr. ilyssa hershey

atlantis academy

coral springs, florida

From: Ramona H. <mamabear_sunrise@ yahoo.com>Subject: Re: Re:recommend a McKay schoolTo: sList@ yahoogroups. comDate: Monday, June 7, 2010, 10:52 AM

Hello April: Hi there my son is 5 year old entering kinder in the fall.

Coral Springs would be a bit far for my son, but I want to ask you in the

event that I ever consider moving to that city and/or if my son doesn't

fit into a cluster "exactly". His dianosis is PDD, has minor stims, good behavior,

excellent with math, but his biggest deficit is in the language/speech comprehension.

So this hinders him to be in a mainstream kinder. Also has lack of focus so

he wanders from his desk. He will likely enter into a cluster...at our

neighborhood public elementary school (SandPiper Elementary in Sunrise).

I saw your posting about Atlantis Academy school and had one question?Are the speech and occupational therapies offered on the campus and as part

of the school day? Or do you have to pay for his therapy at the school?

This is a big deal, since in the public school system my son would have these

therapies as part of his regular school day.

your input is greatly appreciated. .thank you.

From: April Alder <aprilalder@bellsout h.net>To: sList@ yahoogroups. comSent: Sat, June 5, 2010 12:51:49 PMSubject: Re:recommend a McKay school

Our son will be entering third grade in the fall at Atlantis Academy in Coral Springs and he loves going to school there.This will be his third year attending Atlantis Academy for school/camp, and we plan for him to stay there through high school.April