Ryan's Preschool and Speech placement

At our first ARD meeting (the one that I didn't sign for services), they were wanting me to put him in a PPCD class - 4 hours a day, 4 days a week. I knew that this was not the class for Ryan. It was for 90% of the special education children in the district. Some with downs, some with autism, some with other special needs. This was NOT the least restrictive since I knew there was another option...........the communication class that Kyle was in. When I requested that one, they said no, it was not enough. Bullshit. Bullshit. Didn't matter anyway since he wouldn't get any services unless I signed that he had some sort of autism. Nevermind that he had a speech delay. They didn't give a rats ass about Ryan or they would of put him in speech until I could get another evaluation done. Believe it or not, they even suggested to do the whole thing over with another evaluation team. Do I have stupid written on my forehead?

This was in October, 2007 and I was still in contact with the SLP that I wanted Ryan in. Kyle was still in the program with another teacher next door. She had room in October after our first ARD meeting but she didn't have anymore room at the end of October. I was pissed off because he should of been put in her class at the beginning of October.

As I have stated before, after my meeting with the SE director, Ryan was immediately put in the class that I wanted. They MADE room for him. I advocated and it paid off.

So, Ryan started in his communication class in January, 2008. Yes, it took that long after 2 ARD meetings but as soon as I made an appt with the SE director in December, it all worked out.

The communication class is held at a local church preschool. The preschool lets them use 2 of their rooms 2 days a week. This is very generous of the school. This preschool is always full and has tons of children on waiting lists. I am sure they get some kind of compensation for letting them use the room from the school but I don't think it covers what it would if there were actually paying children.

Ryan had an IEP in place and by the end of May he had reached all the goals. Also, at that time I had the report from Nashville. My SLP was so open to all they had to say and was impressed by the whole report and said that they really nailed Ryan to the tee. She has been wonderful and she also agrees with the treatment that they suggested as well and is using it.

I still have not had another meeting with the school. I do know that the SLP wants to update his IEP so we will have to see. I am not even sure if they are even going to consider the report, but I don't care. I have the SLP in my corner.

Beginning in August, 2008 Ryan was also enrolled in this particular preschool. His speech class is on Tuesday from 9:30-11:30 and then they walk him to his class until 2:30. He goes directly to the PS class on Thursday from 9:30-2:30 and speech again on Friday from 9:30-11:30.

I was worried at first how he would react to the regular preschool. Sure, he cried the first few days but they have told me that after about 3 minutes he is fine. The PS teachers are wonderful as well and say that they do not have any problems with him. He does what they ask, he plays nicely with the children and last week one of the girls fell off the slide and he ran over to her to ask her if she was ok?

I am lucky to have such great support from teachers and administrators from the preschool. Too bad I can't say that about the Special Education department at my school district.