Is a physical or verbal delay considered special needs?
Does anyone know?
our school district wants my speech delayed almost 3 yr old in special ed preschool
Really depends on severity in my book. If there is only a slight delay that only requires a few months of PT or OT, I woudln't consider that special needs.
Leo had severe torticollis when he was born and is late with his gross motor milestones, but he's not "special needs". Just isnt' crawling quite whne his peers are :).
I guess it all depends on how you choose to use the term. If my child was receiving speech therapy for a language delay, I wouldnt say "My child has special need." Even if they qualified for services in the early childhood special education preschool.
But if I had a child with a chronic (meaning an ongoing issue that isn't clearing up) then I probably would consider that child to have "special needs."
I guess to me, the term makes sense when used for a condition or issue that is long term. Even if it's just physical (and not congnitive).
I am an early childhood teacher in my ISD. If you have any concerns talk to your pedi and the elementary school. The school will generally start with a speech evaluation and go from there with an ARD if needed. But I will tell you that in most cases what the Pedi says is necessary for therapy and what the school sees necessary are not the same. I had two students this year who did not qualify for speech therapy at school but did with a Pedi referal to therapy. It does not hurt to ask.
Also, if you think there is a delay, putting your child in preschool is a great thing. There are generally motor labs that help with the physical delays and all the rich language that is used in a pre-k classroom really helps an early childhood student open up!
If I can be of any help to you feel free to message me.
How's your kid's first day/week of daycare or preschool? Please share! :)
- PEEK05
on May. 29, 2012 at 3:43 PM