Special Preschools | ADHD Information
Bump BumpDoes anyone know where I could find a preschool that is willing to work with an ADHD child. My son is 4 and is having problems at the typical preschools (like TutorTime, etc.) He was on Adderall but he had terrible problems with rage and biting. He bit a babysitter at a individual's home where we had him. We took him off the Adderall and put him in a preschool. The doctor says he would put him on clonodine but his blood pressure is low. Straterra was also mentioned. We're going to check out the blood pressure issue, but now he's having problems at the new school. The teacher said he hit her in the face three times the other day when she was disciplining him. His impulsivity is out of control, but the anger (at least at home) was okay. So now I have to worry after only a week of school that he's going to be kicked out. Is there a website or organization I might contact to find a preschool that is willing to work with us? Or do you guys have any other ideas? I know elementary schools have to work with you being regulated and all, but I don't think preschools do. Thanks for your help.
Chasesmom is on the right track! Due to the No Child Left Behind act, it is a federal law that all school districts provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to all children ages 3-21 that qualify. Call the special education department of your local school district and tell them you would like to have your child assessed for their ECSE program (Early Childhood Special Education....each district might call it something slightly different). There is no cost to you for the assesment and the district MUST do it. A child must qualify in one of I think 7 different areas to be eligible. Some of the areas are: Social/Emotional, Cognative, Speech & Language, Hearing or Visually impaired, etc. I can't remember the others. ADHD children would generally be classified in the social/emotional area I believe. I am a teacher's assistant in the above mentioned program. As long as you have a good teacher (most are), it really is a wonderful program! The kids aren't kicked out because of behavior (that's why some of them are there!), and the change in them from the start of a school year to the end never ceases to amaze me!! I truly love my job!
I'm sure each district is slightly different in the specifics of their program, but where I work, most of the kids attend 1/2 day, four days a week. Their bussing is provided, as is one meal, and it is all free to the families. There are also a limited number of full day slots in my district, but I don't know if all districts are that way.
If your son doesn't qualify for the program as a special ed. student, ask them if they accept typical children. Again, I don't know if all districts do this, but many around my area have 8 special ed. students and up to 4 typicals per class. As a typical, you would have to pay tution (It's reasonable though) and provide transportaion, but your child would still benefit from all other aspects of the program....Small class size, teacher's who are better trained to cope with problem behaviors, etc. It's very unlikely he would be kicked out of that program for his behaviors, even as a typical.
Wishing you the best!
MamaBear39184.9160648148Many elementary schools now have developmental preschools right in the building. Perhaps he could qualify to attend one of those with an IEP for behavior.....these teachers are trained to teach special needs children. Call the school in your district and ask if they have a developmental preschool...I am almost thinking that it has to be available per the law....not sure though.
Head Start is often good at working with children and at least in the one I taught in, no children are "kicked out". There are income requirements, though sometimes children from over income families are accepted if there is room in the class.
Tenex is also a choice for aggression, anger, compliance, etc, though it, too is a blood pressure med, I think it is less potent than the clonidine...maybe it would be a med for you to try....
I can only speak for the way it is in Ohio, but here, a child DOES NOT have to have a diagnosis to qualify for the program. Many of our children (in the program) do not have one. Also, intelligence is not necessarily a factor. The children are tested in several different areas to see if they may qualify. It's always worth a shot if there is any possibility a child might be eligible! You can have a high IQ child with a speech and language delay that would qualify. Many ADHD children will later be identified as gifted, but they can still qualify if their social/emotional skills are behind when they are young. Also, a child could be "Twice Gifted or Twice Exceptional" which means they are gifted in one area, yet have a LD in another area.
Granted not all ADHD children will qualify, but it is certainly worth getting them assessed.
MamaBear39185.7681597222Mamabear I am in Ohio too! Where are you in Ohio? My son qualified for the developmental school both in social (not dx ADHD yet) and in speech. Once his speech was perfect (2 years of preschool, about to enter Kindergarten) the preschool wanted to keep him qualified in social/behavior, but I did not and sent him to kindergarten.....
We tried this ECSE in our town. OUr Parents as teachers rep recommended it. We did the early screening and when it came down to the referral, they said my son was too smart. I said smarts isn't the problem, its the behavior...they said he wouldn't qualify. Ugh. Also, my son doesn't have a diagnosis yet (his ped is reluctant to do so and wants to wait and see) and I think ecse said they must have a diagnosis to even consider it.
Chasesmom,
I sent you a PM. 