Best Long Island School Districts for Special Education (Huntington, Freeport: university, living in)

[countrygirl576]

Although we have not lived in Ny for 2 years I would rate Shoreham very low. I had to go to the superintendent just to have testing services started. I requested them in October and by May they had not started. The principal insisted my son had a "behavior" problem to find out he had a learning disability. I was so discouraged by the whole situation. He lost that year of education. When we moved to Florida he was going into 5th grade reading on a 1st grade level. My neighbor retaught him how to read. He had little phonics knowledge because the district taught whole language. We didn't fit the mold is the kind of feelings I got.

I will say that most of his teachers were wonderful. It was the principal who later saw for himself what a wonderful child he was.

[carlarodrigo]

Hello,

Just wondering if anyone has advice for my situation. I am planning to move to the Northport area in the next 6-8 months. I have a 4.5 year old daughter who has recently been evaluated by the Board of Ed in Brooklyn, where we currently live. They have recommended OT services for her because she has some mild sensory integration issues. In addition, and even more worrisome for us, she is currently in preschool and refuses to play with and talk to the other kids.

At home, we are having behavioral issues including constant resistance to daily activities (everything is a fight, from brushing of hair to taking a bath, ect.) and severe tantrums where she scratches herself, hits herself and throws up (over minor things). As you might expect, we are very worried about moving and her having to start in a new school and new summer program. We had thought she could start regular public kindergarten in Northport, but have found out it is only half day, and she would have to attend a SCOPE program for the other half of the day. We are not sure how she will do in a regular school setting and with this fragmented, unstable situation. We also visited some of the summer camps, but are worried she won't do well in these large environments with lots of kids and little one-on-one attention.

Do you think we should contact the Northport school system now and see what they recommend (she would start kindergarten there in 9/09), or should we pursue school and summer program alternatives outside of the school system (and do you have any recommendations for her age?) My husband and I work full time and money is also an issue for us.

[pjandamom]

whatever happens do your daughter a favor and have her evaluated to see if she's eligiable for services. I live in Nassau so I dont know what Suffolk has to offer. When my son was 2 yrs. old and didnt speak I called Dept. of Health and said I needed him evaluated. Someone came out to my house and did it. Make calls and get the info. to help her out.

[carlarodrigo]

Thanks for the advice, I will make some calls. Only thing is I don't know if they will evaluate her in Suffolk if I don't actually live there yet.

My husband and I are new to all this, and just coming to terms with the idea that something is going on with our daughter and this is not normal pre-schooler behavior. Planning a move at this time doesn't make it any easier!

[okaydorothy]

Call early intervention in Suffolk. They will put the right people in touch with you. Or if you want to have your daughter evualated where you live now, then the services should carry over to Northport.

I understand how hard it is ; my son had early intervention and it was hard to make that call in the beginning. But once he started therapies, he just flourished. The sooner, the better.

Good luck. I would make the call now ; at least then it is in the works.

d

[okaydorothy]

There are also some wonderful free services here in Suffolk County. My son went to Alternatives for Children 5 afternoons a week, but they also have a daycare on site. If I had wanted him to attend the daycare, I would pay, but when he was going to the program, that was paid for.

Just to let you know, he is now almost 10 and doing wonderfully in school.

[carlarodrigo]

Thanks okdorothy. It is encouraging to hear that your son is doing well in school now. So, you opted to send him to Alternatives rather than have someone work with him at public school?

My daughter was evaluated by the NYC Dept. of Ed. and we just got the report today. They are recommending two 30-minute sessions of OT a week. We must still have the CSE meeting to get all the details.

So, she will get some help for this coming school year, and hopefully the services will carry over when we move to Northport. I am also starting her in a weekly socialization support group in the fall. I hope this will all prepare her enough for regular public school kindergarten once we move, but I'm not sure it will.

[JaNaPad]

I totally agree... the earlier the better. We put off EI services for my son when he was younger because I guess we were just hoping that he would improve on his own. We finally decided to refer him for services after he turned three when it was clearly not improving, but he was no longer eligible for EI and we had to go through CPSE. The services made a huge difference. The extra help not only addressed our concerns, but boosted his own self-confidence.

I think that as long as you have the evaluations, there shouldn't be a problem carrying over the services. Good luck!

Originally Posted by okaydorothy

Call early intervention in Suffolk. They will put the right people in touch with you. Or if you want to have your daughter evualated where you live now, then the services should carry over to Northport.

I understand how hard it is ; my son had early intervention and it was hard to make that call in the beginning. But once he started therapies, he just flourished. The sooner, the better.

Good luck. I would make the call now ; at least then it is in the works.

d

[my2m's]

Does anyone know if they allow inclusion or are the special ed kids separated? TIA

[okaydorothy]

Originally Posted by carlarodrigo

Thanks okdorothy. It is encouraging to hear that your son is doing well in school now. So, you opted to send him to Alternatives rather than have someone work with him at public school?

My daughter was evaluated by the NYC Dept. of Ed. and we just got the report today. They are recommending two 30-minute sessions of OT a week. We must still have the CSE meeting to get all the details.

So, she will get some help for this coming school year, and hopefully the services will carry over when we move to Northport. I am also starting her in a weekly socialization support group in the fall. I hope this will all prepare her enough for regular public school kindergarten once we move, but I'm not sure it will.

I didnt explain ; my son missed the cutoff by 6 days for regular school so he benefited from another year in preschool. He would go to his usual nursery school 5 mornings a week, then I would pick him up, have lunch, he would then get on the bus to Alternatives for 5 afternoons a week. It was rough going, but he thrived and after a month was a totally changed child. Then for K until now in 4th grade, he goes to parochial school.

d