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How Might Services be Offered to Children in the Early Childhood Age Group?
Another option might be a classroom with a mixture of non-disabled children and those with special needs. Some public school systems may offer preschool classes to those with developmental delays and other special needs, and then include neighborhood children who have no such delays. Some children with fragile X make the most gains in a classroom made up entirely of children with special needs. Besides children with fragile X syndrome, there might be children with a variety of speech and language delays and disorders, hearing losses, Down syndrome, autism, and other developmental delays. The classroom might be staffed by a team, including an early childhood special education teacher, speech-language pathologist, and occupational therapist. Parents may visit the programs that are being recommended to them to see if they are "most appropriate" for their child. For children with fragile X syndrome, a structured, calm atmosphere, with a predictable routine is vital. Visual cues and calming spaces (e.g., corners with bean bag chairs and audio tapes) are necessary for many children with fragile X. Children with fragile X benefit from modeling other children, so a setting that includes children at a variety of levels, including some at a higher functioning level than one's own child, may be most appropriate. It is important for parents to realize that the choice of one type of placement at the early childhood level does not mean a child will always be in that type of classroom. A parent and multidisciplinary team members might opt for an intensive language stimulation program in a special education setting at the preschool age, with the plan that a more inclusionary setting may be appropriate in elementary school. Gail Harris-Schmidt, Ph.D., CCC-SLP |
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© copyright 1998-2008 NFXF |
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At the preschool/early childhood level, placements can range widely. A child
with fragile X syndrome might attend a nursery school designed for children in "regular education" with supportive services available to those with special
needs. A speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, and special education aide might come to the preschool and provide services there. Some
public school systems team with private preschools to offer "least restrictive" settings for children with special needs.
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