Public school or private....

Julia had her IEP meeting last week. I have always hated those meetings - i always attended them alone and was always so overwhelmed that I would just say yes to whatever the team decided were her goals with very little personal input. Well, this year I had some support and things went well, I believe. Julia's case worker, Anne, with Developmental pathways came with me, along with my mom and Shawn. I went over all of my concerns with Julia with them and they told me about her progress since last year. I was surprised to hear a lot of what they said, as it is not what we see at home, but I guess in a structured environment, she behaves a little better than at home where it is a free for all!

Anyway, Anne, acting as my "advocate" did say she was pretty impressed with the organization of the school team working with Julia. However, she was not that impressed with the amount of time dedicated to OT and ST during the week. She suggested that I check into a "special needs" preschool, one that I had already signed Julia up for, but was told there was a year long wait list. Well, just an hour before Julia's meeting on Friday, the private school (The Rise School in Denver) called to say they had an unexpected opening....I called the school today and they do provide so much more as far as therapy. They provide, PT, OT, ST, and Music therapy. The program is five days a week from 8am to 230pm. Much more intensive, which equals much more expensive...but if it will help her, I have some money saved and I'm sure there are others who will help out, even if she just goes for a year or two during this "window" that we have with early intervention. The window starts "closing" at about age 5 - 6 years, and she will be four in December. I spoke with Julia's Life Care Planner hired by the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program to see if Julia's settlement would cover this private school, as the school does so much with therapies, but she said it would not. This confuses me and I will talk to her and her attorney Ron Homer when they come out to see Julia in November. It seems odd that they would cover residential placement for her, but not a school designed to hopefully keep her OUT of residential placement....anyway, I will know more later I guess.

Anyway, lots of decisions to make. I am going out to the Rise School next Tuesday to check it out, and then hope to observe at Julia's regular school and see if there is a significant difference.

Anne has agreed to go with me to the Rise School to give me her input. I am thankful for her help.

Susan