Big News

Anyone that knows me well, knows that I am a HUGE supporter of homeschooling. For most kids I think it can't be beat! I didn't get the opportunity to do that with my oldest three (unsaved first spouse), but was determined to do it with my youngest three. That was until Anah.

I love my daughter with all my heart, as does her Daddy, that was why several months ago we started praying earnestly as to what would be best for Anah. Of course, I convinced myself that it was STILL homeschooling, I could teach her all her life skills and everything she needed to know, I still can, but.... The Lord put something else on my heart. He showed me that Anah did not respond to typical children, her siblings, church friends, homeschool co-op friends, children that she is with in the elementary school that she goes to for therapy, family and friends children; she only REALLY responded to other children with Down Syndrome. At first I didn't think anything of it, I just thought she was that way with Jonathan because he is a "baby" and her brother, but then I saw it, she started to play and interact with my niece and her friend M., both with DS.

I watched as she colored with them, played games with them and even had pretend play with them!!! I know that may not seem like much to some of you, but anyone with a child with SN's knows, these things can be huge! I heard her giggle, run off with to play and hold hands with them. I saw her face light up and true joy. How could I deprive her of that?! Oh sure, she can have fun with R and M, but how often is that, a couple hours at most a week or so? She deserves joy, fun, laughter and friends of her own that are like her.

With that thought in place I started to review our options: we have a program through the school district, it is a contained classroom in a typical public school (not our school, one 30-35 mins away). She would be in either a class with other developmentally delayed children, only two with DS, or a class with physically and developmentally delayed children that had one child with DS. She would be in that school for the remainder of this year, then d/t her age and the NYS law saying there can only be an age span of 3 years in any classroom (irrelevant of the developmental age) Anah would have to be moved up to a middle school next year! A typical middle school with a contained classroom! NOT happening! Firstly, she is not familiar with schooling at all, secondly she comes from an institution and this will be strange for her, thirdly, she is not proficient in the language, fourthly, she is nonverbal, fifthly, she is mentally delayed, sixthly, she is the size of a second grader!!! NOT happening!! Did I say that already?

To be fair, I did tour both facilities, I am not saying anything negative about the programs, on the contrary, for a child that is used to school, English and has not been traumatized by institutions, it is wonderful! The programs themselves and the teachers and aids were terrific, it just wouldn't work for Anah.

So then we have School of the Holy Childhood , that is where my niece goes. I was the one who encouraged my sister to go on the tour there, I have been there several times and know it is an AWESOME place! It is a private school specifically for children with developmental delays. It goes from 5years old up to 21, then they can transition into the adult work program there. It is the happiest place you could imagine. As soon as you walk in the door you know there is something special going on. Every adult and child is happy. It is common to see hugs and high fives all the way up and down the hall. Laughter rings out yet there is so much to be learned! The children have a NYS certified education program for their age, which is then modified to their special needs. There are ST, OT, PT, MT, crafts, swimming and every teacher is a special ed. teacher. The classrooms are technically 12-1-1 (12 students, 1 teacher, 1 aide) but several students in each room have a one on one and the ST, OT, PT are in the classroom for part of every day, rotating through, so there is usually a minimum on average of 12-4, more in the younger grades. If you go to the website, you will be blessed.

We toured that school this pas Friday, the other two this past Wens. and I had Anah's CSE meeting this Tuesday. The head of the CSE called me Mon. morning and asked me what we had thought of the programs (she was referring to the Wens tours, she didn't know about the Fri. tour until I told her) I explained my concerns and our desire for Anah to go to SHC. During our CSE meeting on Tues., she asked me to tell the board/committee, whatever you want to call them, about our tours. Anah's teacher, ST and school Psychologist were there and know Anah, as was a SE teacher, they all said they were so excited for Anah and how she responded during her tour of SHC (which by the way was with joy, happiness and dragging me and her daddy around!). As soon as I was done the head of the CSE said "Well, I'd like to officially recommend that Anah go to SHC". You could have knocked me over with a feather!!!

I had expected a battle, everyone else I've ever heard of has really had to fight for their school districts to pay for such services. It costs the school district about $25,000/yr/child to attend there, then they also have to pay for busing them there! It's a 45min drive and she would be the only student on the bus. Actually, Bob and I have pretty much decided we will probably drive her and pick her up. So you can only imagine my utter shock and elation when I heard that!

I filled out and handed in the application for Anah to attend SHC, got the referral from the school, now we just have to have the school eval. Anah and PRAY she can get one of the four slots that are available for the whole school next year! We do have a fairly good chance however, we have our application in early and our school district is supportive, so I am hopeful. Plus, I know whenever she is accepted, even if it isn't for next year, that it is all in God's timing.

I guess I can't be considered a 100% homeschooling mama, but I can be considered a 100% child focused mama and THAT is what God has called all of us parents to be.