[dibanna]

Hi - I'm wondering if folks out here have suggestions for which towns in Fairfield County we should look to, and which we should avoid, as we move to CT with a child with special needs.

Our son is 4 yrs old though more like 2.5 yrs developmentally. He has apraxia, developmental delays, feeding disorder, and low tone. He currently receives speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy through his preschool in NJ. He was in a self-contained special ed class last year but is going to an integrated preschool this year.

I'm wondering if there are towns in Fairfield County that are better known for their services than others and also if there are listservs or support groups in any towns for parents of children with special needs.

I did a search of the archives but all postings on the topic were very old and not many had real info in them.

Thanks so much.
Thanks!

[JayCT]

Most of the towns in Fairfield County offer excellent special education services. I think almost any would be good. A lot will depend on your price range and needs and wants. I would suggest the Town of Fairfield. It is one of the nicer and more reasonably priced towns. The schools are excellent. Jay

[MomOfToo]

My 2 year old son just qualified for speach in New Fairfield. I was told that it never would have happened if we stayed Danbury because there is too much competition. They denied him in Feb and told me to call back when he was two. Then we moved, he turned 2 and he got the services right away! I know they have an intergrated preschool as well. This is all new to me....we have to pay for our services but its a really small amount based on income and how many family members you have.

[joanchris2000]

If you like the idea of integration/inclusion I know that for the 2006 school year Stratford started mainstreaming almost all of their spec ed students (In reaction to a lawsuit in CT). Other towns may have followed suit as well, but I'm only familiar with Stratford. My daughter was fully included there from k-4 (we moved) and I worked in spec ed preschool there. Stratford, while not being a "stellar" school system, compared with some surrounding towns, did very well by my daughter who is severely, multiply, disabled.
I've had nothing but trouble this past year in NC with her being put into a separate classroom (It's not an NC thing in general, as our first experience in NC, in a different county was good....just had to add that so there's no "south bashing")

Good luck

[dibanna]

Hi - Thanks for the info. As I am sure you know, there is a big difference between mainstreaming and inclusion/integration. I am very interested in the latter and not at all interested in the former. The biggest danger in my experience is when they call it one (inclusion) but practice the other (mainstreaming). This is why I need parent feedback...the schools tend not to be so helpful with giving the "real picture" of what goes on in special ed...

I am glad your daughter had a good experience at Stratford. Do other parents you know in NC who have children with special needs feel the same way?

Thanks so much for your feedback

[MomOfToo]

I spoke to our speach therapist today and she said that if you moved to CT your child should qualify for all the same services he is getting now where you are.