Special Needs Preschool

I called my local school district. They were able to tell me what was available for my kiddo, who to contact, her name and her direct line. I left a msg for her and she returned my call within two days and the ball was rolling. My speech delayed, SPD 3-yr-old kiddo is now in an inclusive preschool and has an IEP. He loves it and so do we.

Edit to add: Our preschool is the only one in our school district that provides services to special needs kids - part of the no child left behind act. And it's free. :)

I saw in the Connections Kids Directory that was handed out at some seminar I attended that there is an Easter Seals Texas Star Academy in Grapevine.

www.ntx.easterseals.com

There are many resources listed in this directory and may have more online.
http://www.specialneedskidsdirectory.com/

If you child is 3, write to the school district, and notify them that you have a child with a disablity. Never call, your phone call is worth the paper it is written on. In your letter, request that your child be evaluated and tell them that you will expect to receive an ivitation to a meeting to grant your consent for evalution within ten school days of receipt of your letter. Then, if you do not own a comprehensive private evaluation, set out to get one, so that you can confirm everything that the school tells you independetly. You should never know less about your child than the school. You should expect to supplement your childs public program with a private one, as schools are not required to maximize your childs potential, only to make them functional, and you will want far more for your child. In Texas, public preschool programs are called PPCD, and each school district should have one.

If your child is not yet 3, ECI services are avaliable.

Log on to www.wrightslaw.com and check out the yellow pages for Texas in the Plano area and see if you can find private preschools for kids on the spectrum. Be ready, these are expensive.

M.

Newfound School in Carrollton is where we took our son. He was in the 5th grade at the time but they do have a preschool program as well. H & W are owners and have a lot of education expereince (former teachers/counselors/principals) so they know what works (at least in my opinion!). Their website is: www.newfoundschool.com. Check them out!

get ahold of eci and see about ppcd

Is your child getting services from Early Intervention? If so, they can help you make the transition to your town's preschool. Since he has a diagnosis, they will test him but he is pretty much guaranteed to get in. You have to call the elementary school in your town if for some reason you never got help for your child from the state before age 3.

J.,
There is a great preschool in Collin Country for special needs children from birth - yrs. It used to be called SCCIP (South Collin County Infant Program). I know that it has changed names. The best way to find out their new name is to called Information and Referral of Collin County. They have a wealth of information.

I personally know several families that have placed their children and it was awesome! Good luck!

K.