Being in a center that works with birth (6 weeks ) to 5, I
am able to observe so many different types of classes. Granted I am officially
in a preschool classroom, I was able to sneak peeks into some of the other
classrooms to see how they deal with the early intervention issues. It is interesting to see so many children from a large variety of
ages who have special needs, and which ones actually are able to receive early
intervention services.
I was able to see the director (Mrs. Tubbs) advocate for services for some of the children who need assistance, but others who qualify are unable to get the help. She contacted Child Find, and has a plan to bring in a person to observe in a preschool for two severe behavioral issues. She stated she has been trying for months to bring this person in, but state funding has cut services and the observer is covering about 5 counties.
Mrs. Tubbs also works with Department of Child and Family services, with placing children in the center, and getting the services they need in place. She stated that alot of the children placed have been in neglectful homes which delayed the learning and development of the children. So these children are placed on a first priority list for early intervention.
I was able to see the director (Mrs. Tubbs) advocate for services for some of the children who need assistance, but others who qualify are unable to get the help. She contacted Child Find, and has a plan to bring in a person to observe in a preschool for two severe behavioral issues. She stated she has been trying for months to bring this person in, but state funding has cut services and the observer is covering about 5 counties.
Mrs. Tubbs also works with Department of Child and Family services, with placing children in the center, and getting the services they need in place. She stated that alot of the children placed have been in neglectful homes which delayed the learning and development of the children. So these children are placed on a first priority list for early intervention.
For example in the baby room there are two children who
receive services, one little girl around 1 yrs old gets developmental therapy
due to having surgery on her legs. She was born with a strange curvature in her
legs that left her bow legged, so they had surgery done to help her. She
receives services three times a week in the classroom, another baby close to 15
months and her brother who is 3 receive services for speech, developmental and
occupational therapy due to neglect, and is now in foster care. In that same room with the three year old child; is another three year old who needs services, but is unable to get it
because the family refuses to acknowledge there is an issue. The child does not
speak clearly, and is not potty trained.
The difference is who is involved in the assessments and services.
It is unfortunate that it takes an agency such as DCFS to
step in to get a child services, while other children with parents who are
fighting the idea that their child may need to get a push does not get the same
services. How do we decide what disability or learning disorders may be
eligible for services. The classroom I where I observe at, we see children that need help
but they are at an age that either they go and attend another school that gives
those services or the child is left to learn at their own expense. In this same
classroom we see these children disrupt or need one on one, that the others
feel like they are not getting recognized as equals, because all the focus is
on the ones with behavioral issues, or learning disabilities.
More and more I can see how important early intervention is
to these children, it provides support not only to the children but to the
staff as well. The lead teacher in the class I am observing stated that it
helps knowing that there is somebody extra in the room who can work with the
students, so she can focus on teaching the others.
My questions for you is why do you feel that only certain
children are eligible for services, when in the same class there is a child
with severe disabilities that if early intervention was given, there would be a
good chance this child could succeed in school? Do you feel there should be a
set limit or standards for children who need services?
Great Post,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post it showed me that your daycare really cares about children with special needs. It's sad how those children have to go through the hard ache and pain, I would like to work with students that have disabilities and have the opportunity to experience the feeling of having a child who you care about and who cares about you, and you get to take care of that child, also since I've been going to school for nursing, that would give me the opportunity to explore my options.
Ann, I understand your questions exactly. Over the years, I have been faced with these same questions and though it is not fair, the way I have seen it most of the time, is some parents really go after services for their young children, while others sometimes drag their heels about what needs to be done. I do feel as if services should be available to all that need it, but as I have seen, it seems to be either on a first come, first serve basis, the severity of the disability or as you said before, if the Dept of Children have to become involved. Here in Florida, our Head Start classrooms have mainstream children, but there is always at least a 10% leaveway for a special needs child according to law. So sometimes we have a child on the waiting list for months and they can get bumped for a child with a diagnosed disability. Most special needs teachers really do appreciate having more than themselves in a classroom and in most classrooms here in Florida, there are usually anywhere between 2 to 3 teachers within the classroom depending on the ratio of students in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteAnn,
ReplyDeleteIDEA that has written out guidelines for who should receive services would include children starting at 3. If the child is less than 3 then you have to 'prove' through documentation that the child has significant deficiencies. This documentation of evidence is called Response to Intervention - RTI. Many times all you need to do is go to a doctor so that they can make the recommendations for testing.