My son Noah has PDD. He is eligible for preschool next year. I found an amazing private special needs preschool for him that has art, music an amazing staff, etc. They also have an integrated class and I was thinking of putting my two typical triplets in the integrated class (my son with special needs will be in a smaller class in the same school). The school is extremely expensive but the thought of putting them in separate preschools breaks my heart.

Has anyone put their children in a special needs preschool that has an integrated class? Am I doing a disservice to them? Did you have a good/bad experience?

Stefanie

Mom to BGB
33 weeks 6 days
3/3/07

My daughter also has PDD-NOS and all 3 of my triplets are in an intergrated classroom for preschool this year. They have about 6-8 special ed children and about 10 typical peers in the classroom. There is 1 special ed teacher, 1 typical ed teacher and an associate. We had them split into different schools last year and this year has been so much easier. They have had a great experience and I think it is a great learning atmosphere for the special needs kids to have those typical peers to model after and its great for the neurotypical kids to learn acceptance, appreciation and awareness of those that may have a different way of learning or communicating. I say go for it!!!

Katie

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we have been doing so. we have them in the "head start" program (check if ur area has one its FREE and very good)..My pdd-nos kid is in the program thru the school district..we have all 3 in different classes but they are doing gr8.

I have one fairly typical child, 1 delayed child, and 1 child with a learning issue. They have been in 2 different schools in special ed integrated programs. One was phenomenal, and I wish that we could stay there forever. The other was a disaster, but only because of some staffing issues.

I think that my kids are much much more tolerant of differences (and of smaller kids) than most, and I attribute it to becoming friends with children who had some difficulties. It really taught my kids tolerance and patience in a way that you can't teach at home. The classroom they were in had 8 kids - 3 had Down's and weren't mobile, and I really worried about whether or not my kids would be ignored for those who were more needy, or whether they would be held back b/c of those who weren't as able. But the teachers were SO good at making the class challenging for EVERY kid (learning issues or not), and I feel that my kids learned every bit as much as they could have at a typical school - they weren't held back in any way.

I would do it again in a heartbeat.

BGG born 4/25/05 at 31w1d




New baby girl born 9/19/06

Thanks! I really appreciate the responses. This private school is very expensive although at least my child with special needs will go for free. I was thrilled about sending them and than someone commented that it would be good for my other two children to be with all typical kids and I started questioning myself. I should know better than to listen to other people and go with my instincts. Thanks again!

Stefanie

Mom to BGB
33 weeks 6 days
3/3/07

Our school district has all integrated classrooms from early childhood through high school. I think it is an excellent program and have been very happy with the exposure that my kids have gotten to all different children with all different types of needs.

If I were you, I would find out what the ratio is between "typical" kids and those with "special needs" and observe one of the classes. That would make a big difference in my decision. Although I am very happy that they are getting exposed to kids with different abilities, I would not want the class to be dominated by a lot of kids that need special attention, if my kid did not. Our school district preschool keeps the class to about 15 kids... 5 kids with special needs and 10 that are "typical". However, our school is pretty pro-active, therefore a lot of the "special needs" children only have minor issues.

I hope that helps. Good luck with your decision!!

Kelly
Ben, Jack & Drew 05/28/02
Charlie 07/06/06
Aunt to: Liam, Aidan & Connor 03/05/08
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