Kimberlee-

If Stefan is motivated, they have _no excuse_ for not working on academics
with him, both now and in the future, no matter how "severe" he is! This is
really important. For those of us with more involving physical disabilities,
cognitive development can be a way for us to make the most of what we do
have.

My $.02
Pam

> Thanks, Beth.  Stefan has a private OT at the local Children's Hospital,
but
> she is working with him in conjunction with the ST for Augmentative
> Communication stuff.  I think I'll talk to her about potentially doing
> additional therapy.  I do feel that once Stefan starts Kindergarten I'll
want
> to seek additional help also because I really feel that the school system
has
> no idea what to do with a child like Stefan.  The majority of the "severe"
> (not my terminology) kids are sent to a specific school in the County
where
> reading and writing are not actively pursued.  Stefan is very motivated -
> he's just limited so much physically that even reaching for and holding
> things is an effort.
>
> At this point, the preschool doesn't really have academic goals, other
than
> making Stefan rehash colors and shapes (over and over again).  They are
> working on behavior issues - he has a hard time staying still and
focusing.
> He loves to play with the other kids so much that it's very distracting
for
> him.  I'm trying to relate everything that I want to see him working on to
> his potential future education, but they like to be more general than
> specific on the IEP.  Keeping it vague helps them, not him.  Thanks for
all
> of your help.
>
> Kimberlee, mom to Stefan (4) and Alex (9)
>