Re: school question (kindergarten) - long

[Guest guest]

I'm not sure what state you are in, but I don't think it matters.

Private schools do not receieve funding from the federal government,

therefore they do not have to fall federal guidlines when it comes to

IEP's, etc. They do have to make the building accessible just like

any other business, but as far as adjusting for a special needs child

they do not have to. Now your state may have some rules that they

have to follow, but most states that I know of treat private schools

like a private business and therefore the private school is not

mandated to do state testing, IEP's, etc.

From personal experience, the best approach is to be realistic about

what you and your child can do. Having realistic expectations and

being clear about what you want will help you and the school determine

what is the best situation for your child.

Best of luck.

Geri-Anne and Wyatt, complex I

caringbridge.org/mn/wyattc

> Hi everyone,

>

> I know that you all have a great deal of experience in this area. Asher

> just turned four so I have a year to be preparing for all of this but I

> feel like it's important to get the ball rolling. My dh teaches at a

> local private school - it is considered one of the best in the area and

> very competitive to get in. Typically, faculty kids always get in

> unless there are some academic issues or learning issues that make it

> so the child isn't ready fo rkindergarten. Also, we will get a large

> discount. So... my first choice would be for Asher to go there. My dh

> has worked there for over 12 years and is the chair of two departments,

> but I'm still concerned that the school will refuse Asher because of

> his special needs. Anyhow, I'm planning on meeting with the head of the

> lower school in May so that I can get a better idea whether they will

> accomodate Asher's needs or we will need to look at public schooling. I

> want to have an idea about this now so that, come fall, when the

> application process starts, I know whether I need to be working to get

> the public school kindergarten on board for Asher's needs for the fall

> of '06.

>

> I have so many mixed feelings about talking to the head of the lower

> school. I'm so afraid that they will tell me that 'oh, we will do this

> and that' and then they will refuse to accept Asher come next January.

> And, I know I need to be honest about Asher's needs. The areas that

> concern me most are: fatigue - will they make adjustments if he can

> only go 1/2 days (how will we arrange the academics? can they be in the

> morning? if not, we will take care of the extra homeschooling - I don't

> expect them to provide a tutor or anything - that has to be at our

> expense); many absences (again due to fatigue, illnesses - I think

> Asher has gone to school about 6 weeks since January); adapated PE; and

> the need for his wheelchair (which I hope we have by then) for field

> trips and any special seating that I can provide; tube feeding - I will

> come to the school and bolus him if the nurse is not comfortable. I'll

> go on the field trips to deal with the wheelchair. I really plan on

> being available in whatever way I need to be. Again, I don't expect

> them to pick up the expenses but I do expect them to make other

> accomodations - esp. dealing with short days and multiple absences. ARE

> THERE OTHER AREAS THAT YOU ALL CAN THINK OF THAT I SHOULD PRESENT TO

> THEM? DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO YOU ALL HOW I WANT TO DEAL WITH THIS?

>

> I know that you guys are great in reminding me that all I can know is

> what is happening with Asher today, but I can't help but worry that by

> the time he hits kindergarten, he will have a whole host of other needs

> givent the nature of mito. BUT, I wasn't planning on saying that to the

> head of the lower school! I'll stick with what I know today.

>

> Also, as I'm writing this, I'm thinking that I will have to pursue

> other schools (public probably) so that we have a back up plan. Ugh. I

> have not envied you all fighting for IEPs etc. and I'm not eager to do

> that. Also, our local public school is not a great one. Plus, I think

> Asher may have another set of academic needs - I think he may, at this

> point, qualify for " gifted " . Asher's brother, Sam, is incredibly bright

> (I always feel uncomfortable talking about this, but it's a reality for

> him - his scores are very high and his school has had to find a number

> of new ways to challenge him and still they tell me that he's by far

> their best student in his grade). Asher is similar intellectually to

> Sam, I think, and Asher has just begun to read and can spell his name,

> mom, dad, cat, the. I know that this can change because of the disease,

> but right now, Asher really excels. Anyhow.. you get the picture. So,

> if he does qualify, how do the public schools deal with kids in the

> " gifted " class with the special needs like I've mentioned above?

>

> Then again, am I just nuts to be thinking about regular school? I mean,

> if he's missed this much this year and the previous year. Maybe I need

> to think about home school? But, Asher is SO social - I think he'd be

> so lonely at home.

>

> Anyhow, I appreciate any and all input as I'm stuck!

> Thanks in advance!

>

> Anne R - mom to Asher (mitochondrial disease, complex III defect and

> partial complex I defect)