Speech

[CalebsMommy]

Caleb has to start preschool this fall to get his therapies. I keep asking myself how he's going to communicate at school.
We have been teaching him sign language but we only learned it from books and DVDs!

Since Caleb is going to have the trach (according to the doctors) for a very long time AND he has partial facial paralysis it will be a LONG time before he can speak aloud.

There is a School for the deaf in our state but Caleb isn't deaf, and his social worker says they only cater to those who have hearing impairmets. So what happens to those children who can hear and understand what is being said to them but who can't speak back? They can send Caleb to school with an interpreter in addition to the nurse he's going to require but who is going to teach him to sign? http://www.tracheostomy.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hairpull.gif We are NOT experienced enough to teach him ourselves. In fact we also need someone to teach us! Argh! Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

[lovemymak]

There are also communication computers you can get from your speech therapist. I know there's lots more out there, but here's one.....

http://store.prentrom.com/cgi-bin/store/VT-AEN-MORE.html

http://www.tracheostomy.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/luck.gif Sarah

[JWorthington]

You definitely need to get a speech therapist involved. Sam uses signs and pec's at school. The pictures work good when he wants to select a particular toy, though they are limited. Both my dh and I went on a sign language course (we use Makaton signs) and Sam signs really well now. The school have been very supportive and have bent over backwards to help Sam and he is really thriving.
Love Julie http://www.tracheostomy.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/luck.gif

[CalebsMommy]

Caleb receives speech therapy 3 times a week. Twice in group and once at home. It helps but the therapist themselves know very little sign language. We have started using an augmentive communication device but right now we are just borrowing it from our local easter seals. Our first IEP meeting is next month and I'm so nervous I could scream. People keep telling us that our school district may not be able to meet Caleb's needs and that it's possible he'll have to be bussed to another school district that is 45 mins away! This of course make me VERY angry! http://www.tracheostomy.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

[lovemymak]

I know different people in the IEP's can be really pushy and not give your child what they need or deserve. See if your ST can come with to the IEP to help you push for what he needs. Don't back down easily! http://www.tracheostomy.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/luck.gif

http://www.tracheostomy.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hug.gif Sarah

[liz]

Have you spoken with your district or county special ed? Does Caleb receive special ed services? Does he have yearly IEPs? Seamus is in preschool and qualifies for services in his district. He gets visual and speech services and also an RN when he is at school. I am also going to request a teacher for the hearing impaired evaluate his situation for next year.

Caleb is entitled to the services that he needs to go to school, whatever they are. If he needs to use sign, then he needs a teacher to teach him sign language, and maybe even a sign language interpreter. Sometimes the district balks and you need to be very insistent and persistent.

Good luck!

Liz

[liz]

Oh, sorry I didn't read your reply.

We had a choice to bus Seamus one hour each way. We did try it for awhile, but it did not work for him. His doctor wrote a letter that he is too medically fragile to ride the bus for this long. So he goes to a neighborhood, private preschool and still gets services. We pay the tuition for the preschool (I would do that anyway - his twin goes there too). But he will go to public K next year.

Be strong in your IEP!