Calls, calls and, Oh Yes!, more calls. I need a secretary!
In a previous post (What's new for 2006) (My first Link!!! HOOORAY!!) Anyway......I mentioned that Gabe would be attending a private school through a hospital that specializes in ABA. It is a program that can be attended if the child is between the ages of 2-5 years old, not self injurious, has graduated from the parent training program and you have a lot of money to spare. Unfortunately, we are not sure what happened to our off shore accounts, eyes rolling, therefore falling short of the last stipulation. The grandparents have already made arrangements for a 3 week family vacation this summer, so I guess that is a big hint that Gabe will not have funding for the summer semester.(They graciously supported the current semester). Three weeks out will not enable him to continue onto the next semester anyway. Attendance is mandatory, unless sick and I think they allot for 1 week of vacation time. Where do we go from here?
I have spent that last week trying to plan a new strategy for Gabe's therapy, educational perspectives and activities for motor and normal social play. *Ungluing phone from face* Luckily, this private school that Gabe attends has given me valuable connections and ideas of where to go after the great majority of your money runs out. Don't get me wrong, you STILL need money. Because, it really is the bottom line.
Michigan, what a crappy state for special education, has decided to start closing down all the Center Schools. I'm not sure if this is happening elsewhere, but here it means that certain school districts within a county specialize in areas of special ed. For example, one specializes in educating severely, multiply impaired, another school district has an autistic Impaired program, I think you know where I am going with this. Our county has decided to close some of these Centers and mainstream them into the regular school. One of the "impairments" they have chosen to target is their AI schools. I literally gasped on the phone when I was told this by someone who was the secretary of The Special Education Services Department . I almost couldn't catch my breath.
"What is going to happen to ALL of those children with Autism?"
"Do you know how many there are? One out of 166 children are born with Autism. " I wasn't yelling, I was more in shock.
There was silence. Then he said, "I'm not aware of all the details. I'm not the person who you should talk to about this, but here is the director of special ed services in your area. "
I wrote down the number knowing I will probably never call it. I will never call it, because I wouldn't have a clue how to make the conversation productive.
So, I was considering taking the route of sending Gabe to the public AI school 30 minutes away,
but they have already closed the elementary age program. I'm not sure they would've taken Gabe anyway, he may have been too young, too mild, and too smart= mainstream. But, they have FREE ABA. Oh well. All this information led me on a totally different path.
Ideas for now...
1. We will continue ABA at home (7 hours of trials per week, play/motor incorporated through activities throughout day, 2 meetings per month with consultant $300 to keep programs current) Maybe invest in finding an AWESOME tutor to pick up some time. It's hard to find someone I think is worth the money, because I feel that I was taught by the best and I notice when trails are not done correctly. I have already noticed some major errors in the school he is currently attending. I deeply miss the teachers in the training school for ABA that Gabe and I attended. They were truly the best in ABA.
2. PPI, Preprimary Impaired, program through school district that would go 1/2 days, 4 days a week- FREE, but no ABA, would work on basic social skills and working within a "public school environment".
3. Continue intensive speech therapy, increase from 2x to 3x per week.
4. Swimming Lessons :o)
5. Add PT to therapy if we can find a place that is not 45 minutes away. Gabe is on par with kids his age, but lags slightly in some areas. Work on riding a tricycle.
6. Finding an eating specialist to work closely with us and Gabe. The school he currently attends is developing a program for him. I believe they will be successful, but time is of the essence.
7. Maybe adding Applied Verbal Behavior to therapy. I have looked into going to a conference.
8. RDI ? Gabe is really showing interest in people and expressing himself. He said hi to another little girl the other day (No prompting!) and waved to her, well, waved to her while waving to himself. lol Is he far enough along to start such an advanced program ? Is it advanced?
Oh my! Did I leave anything out?
