Okay so I finally observe in AJ's class just before the holidays. Not so impressed. There are 11 four year old boys in the class a teacher, a parapro and a speech therapist (some of the time) Most of the children have attention and/or behavior issues. The majority of the day is spent working with the boys on following directions, sitting still, taking turns, etc. I saw a speech small group (Including AJ). The kids were doing a project that involved following directions (Color two ornaments blue) and initiating conversation, (please pass me the glue Jake) There was no work on specific sounds or words. There was no work on pacing or fluency. There were no mouth and tongue exercises.
I waited until after the break to call the speech therapist to see if AJ ever gets individual speech therapy and/or if they ever work on his speech needs. Basically I've been told the budget doesn;t allow for individual therapy and that they are working on other goals not in his IEP.
I'm done. If he is not getting any benefit from the program why is he being dragged between 3 houses and two schools to attend? WHy are five people and a transportaion department killing themselves to get him back and forth to a 2.5 hour program? I am pulling him form the program. I could fight them and insist that they provide what he needs but kindergarten is looming large this fall and I don't think the battle will be won by the time he is to start.
I am keeping him enrolled in EMU's speech clinic. They are helping him immensely. I will push for him to get speech therapy when he begins Kindergarten in the fall as well. I am at peace with this decision and know that he is going to succeesd with or without the districts help because he is so determined.
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I'm a mom of a 3yr old, just dx'd with verbal apraxia. From everything I've read, group therapy has no benefit for children with apraxia ( I found this from the cherab site & talking to a mom who's child was dx'd by Nancy Kaufman). So I wouldn't feel bad at all for pulling him out of that program. In fact, we declined the developmental preschool at our IEP. There was another, regular preschool I was more comfortable with. They looked at me like I had 3 heads, but I didn't care. We all have to do what we know is best for our kids.
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