Hi there. My trio are nearly 4 years old, and one has Down syndrome. I have been looking into pre-school for over a year and haven't found any that were the right fit for us.

I also tried the public school preschool and therapy for my daughter with DS, but ended up pulling her out because it was neither safe, nor appropriate for her.

So now I am wondering if homeschooling the kids would be the right solution for our family. I am fine with the idea of homeschooling my typical kids... but very nervous about taking on my child with DS.

Anyone out there with words of wisdom or advice regarding a kiddo with DS?

Sheila
GGB 10/29/06

My boys dont have DS but were DX with Autism last year, they have been in the special needs prek program since last year, we have had good a very good experience. Is there any way you can try a different class for her.

I home school the kids as well to get them more prepared for Kinder, it a PITA, much harder than expected. I am beginning to realize there is a reason that only educated teachers with experience should take on something so important!

I use www.mothergoosetime.com

BBG 6/21/06

I have a 13yo dd w/DS and she has been in the public special ed program in our school district since she was 3yo.

Do you have an IEP in place for your dd and does your district provide an Early Childhood/spec ed program? If your district does not offer an EC program she should have the right to attend a district that does. In our case, Early Intervention (Birth to Three) got the ball rolling. We actually met with the school district spec ed administrator, future teachers and therapists, and her therapists from EI for her first IEP...she was a few months away from turning 3yo. It gave everyone involved in developing a plan/goals for her first year in EC, including how much time would be beneficial for her to attend regular ed classes (mainstreamed). Dd has an evaluation every year before her yearly IEP. There have been a few times in which dh and I have had to been adamant about what goals we wanted her to acheive/work on. Also, the school district supplies an aide for every 2 children, depending on the severity of their disability. ie: a child wheel-chair bound and/or on a feeding tube would have one-on-one attention from an aide and that aide would have some type of a medical background.

Personally, I don't think I could do my dd justice with her education. There are just so many extra issues and techniques in teaching a child with a disability.

HTH?

"Just remember, you can do anything you set your mind to, but it takes action, perseverance, and facing your fears."-- Gillian Anderson

Thanks for your replies.

We did try the public school, IEP, etc last school year when she turned 3. However, it was a HUGE let down. They were giving the kids potato chips for a 10:00 am snack, hot coffee left around the therapy room for my daughter to get a hold of, let her play in the toilets, etc.

I was told there was "no way" she would get a one on one aid.

When I complained, in writing no less, to the superintendent I got no response. My complaint to the district coordinator was met with "the principal looked at the bathrooms and thought they looked ok", completely not addressing the issue.

It's just so frustrating.

Sheila
GGB 10/29/06 (33 weeks)

Hello Sheila,

I also have a daughter with Down syndrome. She has been in the district since 3 years old as well. I don't know about homeschooling, but just basics on educating a child with Down syndrome. I know they are highly visual so try to keep this in mind when structuring your curriculum. I don't know if you've ever heard of the downsedusa.org website. Amazing books, dvd's and articles on there to help you.

There are so many more websites and resources out there as well. Let me know if you'd like a list and I will try to compile



Good luck


Maryann
Mommy to
Malena, Joshua, and Jacob
born 12/20/03 @ 34w5d

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