Hi everyone. I have a 3 1/2 year old daughter with Epilepsy, CP, and several other developmental delays. She attends Fraser school in Richfield where she get's OT,PT, and speech through our health care in addition to ECFE services which I have been really happy with- unfotunately, I may need to move to Ramsey county soon at which point she will no longer be able to get services in Hennepin County. I am looking for a comparable early childhood program that caters to children with special needs in the Saint Paul area that also offers extended day childcare (although not necessary) It would be ideal if we could find a place that coordinates everything in one place like Fraser.
I would be interested in both good and bad experiences from other families.
I am also interested in recommendations for a good neurologist. I would like to get some second opinions about her diagnosis etc.
My daughter began having seizures at about 6 months (that we know of- they are difficult to spot and look like her hands tremor) She is on Keppra and has been seizure free for about 1.5 years. Her neurologist is convinced that she is not autistic because she is very social and female, however her PT, OT, and myself feel that she definitely displays autistic tendencies (obsessions with patterns, details, spinning, rocking, etc.)
St. Paul Public Schools have a wonderful ECFE program. My now 5 year old was assessed as having speech delays at 2 and was enrolled at Wheelock for 2 half days per week. He entered Nokomis Montessori as a 4 year old and received excellent speech therapy. He will be starting full day kindergarten next week and no longer requires special ed services. The teachers at Wheelock are the best!!!
call the st paul school district (360 colborn st- st paul.) Ask for the # of the special ed dept. I use to work for the st paul district in special ed- autism & ebd. They have some awsome teacher in special ed depts. Good luck to you!
I care for a little boy now who just turned 4. He goes to Fraser in the mornings and then one of the local Elementary schools here in St. Paul (I can't remember the name right now) So I wonder if you could stay with Fraser if you wanted to.
Fraser drops him at my house in the afternoon and he stays for an hour and then the school bus pick him up from here for his afternoon at the elementary school.
Have you heard of the Early Childhood Family Education Program(ECFE)? Part of this Program is the ECSE or Early Childhood Special Education program. What this is are specaial half day schools for shildren with special needs. My daughter attended two in ramsey county(saint paul and white bear lake)I loved the program. epecially the teachers. They were all such mother hens to the children. To get in on this program you will need to contact the school district in ramsey county where you'll be moving too so that they can set you up with this program. I hope this info helps you and if you have any more questions about this program feel free to ask.
Hi. I'm no help with the school situation, but I do have a neuro reccomendation for you. My son also started having seizures at 6 months old, his were very hard to detect, as he just started staring, breathing funny, etc. He was diagnosed with complex partial seizures, and has been on meds since. We have been seizure free for almost two years now, and are about to try weaning him, to see if he's out grown them. But his neurologist is really good. His name is Dr. Burstien, and he's with the Noran Neurological clinic, through Childrens hospital in Minneapolis. He also has a satalite office in Fridley. He's kind of strange to get used to (listening to him, reminds me of the step dad, from the santa clause movies! That really soft spoken type voice.) But he's always been right on with my child, always follows through, reads EVERY report himself, and their call center nurses are wonderful too!!! Send me a message if you'd like a phone number for their main clinic! I've refferd a friend from out of state there, when she moved with her daughter who had had a hemispherectomy, and she's been VERY pleased with him.
GOOD LUCK!!!
Rondo had a GREAT program there. I was there for my son for a year. The Eairly Childhood Special Education is actually through St Paul Public School system. They work closley with Children's/United and they are excelent at what they do. They work with kids of all ages and levels of disabalities. There is a Gross motor area that is basically a playgroung designed for special needs kids INSIDE and many games and toys that are modified for special needs. They even offer parent groups for those with special needs. I found that most parents there were nice and were willing to help anyway they could. There was even a single dad who quit his job to take care of his daughter full time. She had CP as well as a few other things. I would start with St. Paul Public Schools web site and look for the special education area or look for the phone # for the Rondo School. Welcome to St. Paul , I think you will find that Ramsey Co will be able to help you and your daughter. J.
Hi.My name is B. and I work for the Metro Center for Independant living in the personal assistant serviecs program. We have a lot of programs here that you might benefit from. I encourage you to contact pacer center if you havent already to see if they can assit you in making the best choices for you daughter. I also have a daughter who hasnt be diagnoised with autisim but displays tendencies of the disorder, she was diagnoised with anixiety disorder. I cant recomend a nurologist but I can recommend a behavior specialist who might be able to help. His name is dr. Brooks Donald and he is located at the health partners clinic in Minneapolis. Sorry I dont have his number off hand, but good luck and please visit our web site if you have a moment... www.mcil-mn.org
B.
Hi K.
Some suggestions for you. My spouse and I have epilepsy, and have contacted friends/professionals with epilepsy and have sought their suggestions as well. I've been on vacation so am just getting back to you. So here is a potpourri of info:
Minnesota Epilepsy Group is the only clinic that actual has Pediatric Epileptologists. Dr. Ritter at Minnesota Epilepsy Group (MEG) and Dr. Frost (who used to be at MEG).
Good pediatric neurologists in Mpls include Dr. Espinosa at Mpls Clinic of Neurology.
Gillette CHildrens Hospital has a good pediatric neurology unit and is a good interdisciplinary place to go.
Dr. Galend Breeningsdahl at Noran in Mpls or Dr. Donald Chadwick - Mpls Clinic in Golden Valley might be appropriate as they are general pediatric neurologists with large clinics which have other neurologists working with them. They or others in their clinic may be able to assist with diagnosis.
Dr. Armantina Espinosa - Burnsville
Dr. Allan Ingenito - Coon Rapids, Epileptologist
Gillette Childrens Hospital: Drs. Betty Ong, Bev Wical, SHani Norberg
All of these doctors are known for notable experience in epilepsy.
Good luck. Feel free to contact me again.
J.
I'm no help with the school, but was wondering if you've looked into the neurology department at the Mayo in Rochester? They have an extremely strong department and are quite thorough. Good luck!
