Sometimes you have to go against the "recommendations"

We still have a few more weeks before the final determination for Ali's services will be determined. Even though I am in the field, I believe it is ridiculous that decisions for NEXT year are being made now. She is doing great. She is more confident. She seems more comfortable in her own skin. She still gets overwhelmed in large groups. She still needs to be "prepped" when we got to new places. She still has to know what we are going to do...almost every step of the way.

Her team is recommending that some services continue and that she get discharged from some services. With the amount of services they are continuing to recommend and the concerns that continue, they are recommending "program." That basically means that they will continue to recommend that she be in a therapuetic preschool with a special ed teacher and all of the support staff on-site. That is great. But, it is also incredibly supportive. I agree that she still needs support. She is not quite ready to be put out there in a large class with all of her "typical" peers with a teacher who may not have the skills to support her in a "regualar" classroom.

However, I need to push her. I want to challenge her. No, don't want to stress her out to the point that all of the hard work she has done and the progress she has made will be lost. But, how do I justify preparing her for "regular" kindergarten in 2011 if I don't push for them to support her in a regular preschool program????

I have found what I believe to be a great program. Only time will tell. The class can go up to 20 kids, but it usually hovers around 18 children. There is one classroom teacher and 1 or 2 aides to help with the children---depending on how close to 20 the class get to. It is a full day program in our parish and I have had many conversations with the Principal about Alyssa's needs. We are all on the same page. I pray I am making the right decision for her. I want her ready to walk into Kindergarten in a class with 22 kids. I can't let her glide by in a restrictive class with 12 kids and 3 teachers and all of the support in the world. Of course she is doing great in that setting. I don't want to rock her world, but I do want to raise the bar so that she can continue to spread her wings. She has always risen to the challenge......

I am going to the district asking for support.....not a ton of it, but enough so that I think she will be successful in a less restrictive setting. She needs this year as a transition to regular kindergarten.

Why are these decisions so hard????????????????

Wish us luck. I love my Princess so much......she deserves this chance!