My 4yr old daughter has a genetic disorder that affects her fine motor skills. She is extremely intelligent, but she cannot write or draw. She has been in Pre-K and goes to a home sitter.
I am having to pull her out of the Pre-k because it is too overwhelming for her physically and mentally. I want her to be prepared for Kindergarten, but at this point I am worried because she can't handle 2 days a week from 9-2.
Does anyone know about any special programs that Plano ISD offers..or some testing that she can get? I am limited on income so can't afford special schooling...but surely there is something.
Thanks
I would go to the PISD website and look up special needs children. They have wonderful programs. I know several people that have had a great experience with their programs.
Check out pisd.edu and see what is on the website.
I substitute teach and a lot of it is for special needs but I am not sure of the exact programs available.
Good luck.
Susan
Yes! Plano ISD has an early childhood school program (there are 3 early childhood schools in PISD -- for 3 & 4 yr olds).
Each school offers a free assessment to determine if your child can qualify for disability services. My son attends Beaty Early Childhood School (near Park/Coit) and he qualified for speech therapy there so he attends an integrated class and get free speech therapy during preschool hours w/a licensed speech therapist. Each teacher is state certified to teach early childhood preschool.
They offer general testing for different delays (speech, motor skills, behavorial, etc)....what they'll initially do is ask you a series of questions over the phone to determine why you think your child is delayed...then set up an appointment w/a couple of therapist for testing/evaluation. and this is fun for the child -- it's usually play/interactive testing. Then, they'll make recommendations on what your child qualifies for ....
She may qualify for free 3 or 5 days a week preschool w/work with a therapist during those times. And PISD preschool are half-days....a regular schedule is Mon-Fri 8:15-11 a.m. or 12:30-3:15 p.m. You can usually pick your choice of your child attending in the morning or the afternoon - depending on which teacher you have and the class size in the a.m. or p.m.
And the therapists are superb! Trust me -- you'll want your daughter to have the most time w/them as possible. They are gold mine full of great info, resources, advice, great at getting through to the kids!
Depending on where you live in Plano, you'll be assigned to one of the 3 early childhood schools. these are the contacts for the children w/disabilities program.
If you live in east Plano, call the campus assessment team at ###-###-####.
If you live in central Plano, call the campus assessment team at ###-###-####.
If you live in west Plano, call the campus assessment team at ###-###-####.
http://pisd.edu/parents/special.education/index.shtml
Please check out the info on this link. I think the Plano school provide testing and education for kids with lots of different needs and they have wonderful programs. I hope you find what you need!
Call the PISD administration office. Plano has 5 or 6 early childhood schools that have special classes to help children to move into Kindergarten. One of my good friends works as a teacher aide at Baron and loves it. She would be happy to talk to you about it also, if you would like and opinion from the inside. It is offered low cost to those who qualify and as a single mom, you will. My daughter will attend next year and I am excited.
Contact plano ISD as soon as you can so she can get into PPCD program for the remainder of the school year and that will prepare her for Kindergarten. She may also qualify for ESY (extended school year) services during the summer to help her prepare. We are in McKinney and 2 of my boys are in the PPCD program one for speech and the other for ADHD and sensory issues. It can take several weeks to get in so contact them tomorrow. You will need the PPCD Evaluation team to do an evaluation and then she will have a qualifying meeting called an ARD and then if she qualifys she can start after the ARD meeting.
She can also ride the school bus to school for the class if you are unable to take her. and all of this is free through the school system. But its only for kids that qualify with some sort of physcial or mental special need. to help them prepare for mainstreem school. The class is usually 5 days a week and its at least 2 hours but sometimes longer depending on the childs need.
Good luck- AJ
Plano has some of the best early childhood schools around, i know because i used to work at one of them. you can go to Plano ISD's website and find early childhood schools. They are free if you live in Plano. They are built for children with special needs and second language learners. Typically developing children attend the schools as well but pay a little tution. All the classes are taught be degreed, certified teachers and they do testing there as well. Their goal is to get the kiddos ready for Kindergarten. I would highly recommend checking them out.
Have you contacted Early childhood intervention? What does her pre-K program reccomend?
Plano ISD has wonderful Early Childhood Schools--Beaty, Pearson and Barron. THese schools are set up like little elementary schools. They run the Preschool for Children with Disabilities (PPCD)and have normal, tuition-paying kids in the classes as role models. There is no tutition for kids who qualify based on disability. I'm betting that your chid's fine motor delays linked to a genetic disease would qualify.
Their teams evaluate the child thoroughly for gross motor, fine motor, speech and social delays. Then an individualized program is set up--usually classroom based, with therapy incorporated in the curriculum.
You can call your local elementary school for info, or go to pisd.org.
Contact the PISD early childhood program. The number for the pearson school is ###-###-####. Tell them your situation and ask for an assesment. If your child qualifies (and I think she will) she should be able to attend tuition free. I have 4 yo old twins.. we pay for one and not the other.. anyway, they do have 2, 3, and 5 day programs, and attend school for 2 hours 45 min. My kids absoulutely love it! I do not think it would be to late for enrollment. My kiddos started last january.. Let me know if you have questions, and I will be happy to help you with the process.
All public schools including Plano ISD provide testing and FREE special education services for all children with a disability aged 3-21 years. The PPCD program in Plano is a 1/2 day preschool for ages 3-5. There are 3 locations. Call Plano ISD now and ask about this program and how to enroll.
hi. All public schools offer free preschool for children with special needs, she would have to be tested first.
Hi V.,
Have you called ECI (early childhood intervention) for some advice? She should qualify for PPCD which is offered through the public schools. My son has Down Syndrome and was receiving ECI until age 3 and now attends PPCD in the mornings and takes bus to Kindercare...he is doing very well...Hope this helps!
D.
