Last month, Kay underwent an evaluation with Child Find, a program that assists in placing children with diverse abilities in appropriate school settings. Child Find extends its services to children aged three or older, even those not yet enrolled in school. Due to Kay being born with Down Syndrome, she qualified for Early Intervention Services. These services provide in-home therapies, benefiting not only Kay but also guiding me on therapeutic activities to support her development at home. It’s important to note that Early Intervention provides services up until age three. After age three, Child Find steps in to continue the support.
On Tuesday, December 5th, I participated in a video call with the Child Find team that had assessed Kay in November. They all spoke highly of Kay, noting her natural light and positive energy. It was evident to everyone that Kay does things on her own terms. If she’s not interested in a particular activity, she’ll certainly let you know – quite amusing!
Based on everyone’s observations and notes, they concluded that Kay would thrive in an inclusive classroom, learning alongside her typical peers. The plan is for her to be pulled out for a short time only, specifically for one-on-one speech therapy to focus on improving her pronunciation. This outcome exceeded my expectations and aligns perfectly with what I had hoped for.
On December 11th I received a call informing me of the school Kay will attend. Kay and I get to go to her new school this Friday to get her registered and meet her teacher. Kay will officially start a half day of preschool on January 2nd!
Recently, I came across a reel from a family I follow, sharing their journey with a child who has Down Syndrome. The message from the mother, whose daughter is now in high school, resonated with me. She emphasized that while inclusion is crucial, it only works if everyone involved is fully committed. This got me thinking about children who may lack advocates or parents who are hesitant to speak up.
I’ve made a personal commitment to always prioritize what I believe is best for Kay. I’ll strive to secure any services that I believe will benefit her and contribute to her growth. While I may not be certain about Kay’s future in school, one thing is clear – I’ll be there to advocate for her, ensuring she receives what is truly in her best interest.