We are back from St. George and trying to catch up on the laundry, cleaning, and grocery shopping but I promised to blog about the transition meeting so here it goes.
We met at the Elementary School Thursday morning to discuss Avery's transition from the Early Intervention Program to the School District when Avery turns three in July. We were prepared for a struggle and we were prepared to insist on Avery being bussed to the School of the Deaf and the Blind. Then a lot of other options were discussed so we haven't made any decisions yet. We have until the official IEP meeting in May/June.
Option 1: Send Avery to the School of the Deaf and Blind. There would be a van/SUV that would pick Avery up around 7:00 in the morning. She would be on the bus for about one and half hours before arriving at school. This year the preschool program is four hours long but they are considering going all day next year. If this happens she would not arrive home until 5:00, after another hour and a half ride.
The biggest benefits to attending the school are that she would be with other kids her age that have hearing impairments and hearing aids. She would also be taught by teachers that have worked with these kids and know what they are doing. The teachers would be signing as well as speaking. They would also understand Avery's rough signs.
Option 2: Send Avery to the local Elementary School Special Education Preschool. She would attend school in the afternoon for three days a week. The benefits of this option is that she would be taught by Grandma (who understands most of her rough signs) and would be close to home. We were also told by the School of the Deaf and Blind that they would send someone up to train Grandma and to work with Avery EVERY day. They could also send someone to work with Avery on the days when she is not in school.
We haven't made a decision yet and I would appreciate anyone's input. I know the ideal school would be the deaf and blind school but the hours is not ideal for a three year old. We are leaning toward sending her to the local school at least while she is three and reevaluating next year.
2 comments:
Since you asked, Staci and I were amazed at how tired Katya was when she started preschool at the local school. I can't imagine if she were gone from 7-5! She would be exhausted. Kids are all different and maybe Avery would handle that better. I think that the benefit of the local school is that she would be closer and that someone from the deaf and blind school would come up and train grandma and work with Avery individually.
Given how young she is I would let her go with grandma and see how it pans out. If things aren't going as you would like, you can always change your mind.
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