Transition to Preschool

I can do it myself!

Last week we formally began the process for Tom to transition from in-home Early Intervention (EI) services to getting services through his own school district. Thomas currently gets a lot of therapy and we have to make sure he continues to get the services he needs to grow and develop. We had our first meeting with both our program coordinator from EI, a representative from another company that provides therapy to Thomas, and the Allegheny Intermediate Unit/DART program who will be overseeing Tom's therapeutic and educational services once he turns three. That's the big transition!

We had a short meeting and I made sure that Thomas could attend because, as far as I am concerned, he is the most important member of the team! Tom was his adorable self and we got to introduce him and explain the basics of what he is up to now and what he needs. I stated that we are interested in him attending the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children (WPSBC) in the fall for preschool. They did mention that this is the most restricted environment because he will only be with other kids with disabilities.

I know. However, I believe that this is the only place where he can get the level of specialized education and supervision he needs until he can become more independent. I absolutely want him to be in regular classes when he's in kindergarten or first grade but I think this is where he needs to start.

After meeting with Thomas and taking the 20 pages of medical documentation and information I provided, I think they understood that the WPSBC would be an appropriate preschool placement for him.  They didn't come out and say this but his DART representative is getting ready to start the lengthy process of applying for placement at WPSBC. The first step is to get Tom evaluated by a bunch of therapists from DART (OT, PT, Vision, etc...) and we have until July 14th to complete all that. An evaluation report will be sent to us summarizing all the information they collect. That is a lot of evaluation for Tom to go through with his already hectic therapy schedule, but I guess that's what it takes!

Later in the week we went to the WPSBC for a play-based evaluation of Thomas and a tour of the school and daycare. It was amazing! Since school is still in session we got to see the kids having class and meet some kids. They were just adorable. We saw kids with all levels of disability there and they were all engaged and busy. It was great to see kids of all abilities having fun. They have so much special equipment and really cool toys for the kids to play and learn with. I can't wait until Tom gets to visit their playground which has talking turf! If you stand on certain shapes on the turf sounds will play. They also have a bench that sings when you sit on it! How awesome is that?

Thomas has been involved in the Toddler Program at WPSBC for years so the therapists who evaluated him already knew him. They couldn't believe it when Thomas came walking up with his cane! I'm used to Tom cause I see him everyday; to hear from them how far he has come and see how pleased they were with his progress was just incredible for me. It made me so happy and incredibly proud of Thomas. They last saw Thomas in August of 2011, then he was still unsteady on his feet and would not walk in public without both his hands held. He has come a long way since then!

Since it was such a crazy week we slid in a day of fun at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh. It started off sort of slow because everything is so visual! Sadly, many of the exhibits were just completely inaccessible to a blind child. But we did have some fun in the toddler room they call a nursery. It has a really fun sensory table filled with birdseed for the kids to play in. The toddler area was practically deserted so Thomas really got to relax and explore. We also made some paper by pressing colorful wet pulp into a frame in the art studio.

Splashing in the water room!

The water room was also a big hit. I just wish it had been warmer! The temperature was only about 70 degrees and the water room was chilly. The water in the "river"and fountains was cold too but Tom still had a great time splashing in the little spouts and fountains.

So that's how our week went! Lots of exciting new things are beginning. I can't wait for Thomas to start preschool. He is so ready to get out and play with kids his own age. (Mom is getting boring)