The first meeting with the school district yesterday was short and easy. It was just one of the school psychologists and me (usually our regional center caseworker would have been there too, but she couldn't come). I spent some time telling her about Nate, his strengths and weaknesses, recent improvements, and his current therapy setup. We nailed down which types of specialists would be evaluating him--speech pathologist, psychologist, occupational therapist, an APE (a kind of physical therapist; I think it stands for adaptive physical education). I also asked what the range of possibilites is for his placement. He could be placed anywhere from a 100% one-on-one therapist-to-child therapy setup to a much more integrated preschool setting with neurotypical peers for at least part of the day. I don't anticipate he'll be on the one-on-one end of the spectrum; he'll probably land somewhere in the middle.
I'm really glad I asked about the placement possibilities, because now I have a couple of months to get used to the idea: no matter what, it sounds like he will be in a program from 8:30-1:30 Monday-Friday (25 hours/week). Even if he were placed in the neurotypical preschool (or when/if he is eventually placed there), which meets 8:30-11:00 every day, he would spend the other 2.5 hours every day in a more specialized setting. (I guess research has shown the 25 hours/week to be an important number to reach.) It just feels so soon to have to let go of this baby of mine and have him in school for so much of every day! When I first left the meeting, I thought, "OK, school 8:30-1:30, nap after that.... well, then it's dinner time and bed time! When will I see him?" That was a bit melodramatic of me, but that was my thought process. I have to remember that 1) he really doesn't take long naps; 2) he'll probably drop the nap before too long; 3) the hours between waking from nap and bed time are full of potential; and 4) this is good for him. As with every other adjustment we've made, I'm sure it will feel hard at first and then just become normal!
Edited to add: this also makes me appreciate being a stay-at-home mom very much. If I were working, then I really would almost never get to see my children.
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I understand what you are going through when it comes to getting him into school! I went through that a couple years ago with Angelina, but it's actually really nice! And, it's really good for them! Angelina is now in school from 9am-3:45pm!! Looong day!! He'll do great!! ;) Sounds like things are going very well!
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