REQ: Kindergarten and OT advice.

[Guest guest]

I had the same problem when my son was in kindergarten. They would cite many

reasons why it would be better for my son but mostly it is easier for them.

When my son was in kindergarten, I did have some of his services done during

the school day with other children from the class, but he also had other

services after school (he had OT, PT & speech). If you really want it, you

should

be able to get it - just be firm.

[Guest guest]

Hi,

My son, is about to start kindergarten this year. We have been

working with the school to get him OT for his fine motor skills. (He

has problem holding pens/pencils and writing, due to RSS). They've

so far agreed to allow OT over the summer, but during the fall they

want to take him out of kindergarten classes to give him his OT. We

fell that he should get his OT after class or at home, so he doesn't

miss out on the activities the other kids will get. I was just

wondering if anyone had any similar experiences or advice. Any help

would be greatly apprcieated!

Thanks!

[Guest guest]

I am a special ed kindergarten teacher. Just what you need!!! The

kids in my class who receive OT go out of the class for one session

and they have OT Integration for the other session. This means that

the OT comes into my classroom and works with her OT kids on

whatever project/assignment my class is doing. She can help them in

a practical way by showing them the right way to hold a pencil, how

to cut on the lines with scissors, to color inside the lines, tie

their shoes, etc. She uses the individual sessions for more

personal issues and the integration is wonderful because the kids

can do their classwork and not miss anything. Really, having them

go out once a week is not a problem for me. If necessary, I just

tell the OT what I see in class and ask her to work on it. We have

a great relationship.

I hope this gives you something to consider. I understand your not

wanting the " pull outs, " but this is a nice compromise. If,

however, you decide this is not good for your child, then push for

the before or after school sessions. It's not easy to get them and

your child may be tired after a day at school, but if you are

forceful, they may agree.

Jodi Z.

[Guest guest]

Once the kids hit elementary school it becomes very difficult to get

them to give services in the home, some exceptions that I have seen

are children with autism who have additional home training.

That being said, in Kindergarten I wouldn't really worry about

missing work. Speak with the teacher and therapist to arrange for

therapy to be done in the classroom for some of the sessions, with

the therapist helping your son with whatever the class is working on

at the time. In my daughters classes, the kids would want to be at

the table with them because they all benefited from the extra staff

(and the therapist was still seen as " cool " ). Now in middle school,

missing class time is much more of an issue, but they still won't do

it at home, so they end up missing lunch (they eat with the

therapist) and specials ( never goes to music, she was taken

out of the class to allow the therapists to see her at that time)

including Home and Careers, Technology and gym. Once in awhile they

miss an academic class, but not too often.

It really depends on the districts policy, but in my experience (both

personal and professional) they really don't go into the home after

preschool.

Good luck, hope you get it if that is what you want.!

Eileen

Mom to Alyssa and 5/26/91 both RSS, GHT, OT, PT, Adaptive

Phys Ed, test modifications, speech.

> Hi,

>

> My son, is about to start kindergarten this year. We have

been

> working with the school to get him OT for his fine motor skills.

(He

> has problem holding pens/pencils and writing, due to RSS). They've

> so far agreed to allow OT over the summer, but during the fall they

> want to take him out of kindergarten classes to give him his OT.

We

> fell that he should get his OT after class or at home, so he

doesn't

> miss out on the activities the other kids will get. I was just

> wondering if anyone had any similar experiences or advice. Any

help

> would be greatly apprcieated!

>

> Thanks!

[Guest guest]

You need to call the school and request an OT evaluation. Or you can

call the Department of Special Services and request one. You will

probably be given a questionnaire to fill out so you can explain why

you want one done, but they have to do the eval no matter what. And

there is a time limit in which they have to get it done. I think it

is 60 days, but I'm not sure.

Also, if the teacher is commenting that he is so far behind with OT

issues, then she can request an eval. I would speak to her and ask

her to do it. It may get done faster that way. If she won't, then

you can do it yourself (put in the request).

Let me know if I can help you further, okay?

Jodi Z.