A NONVERBAL STUMBLING BLOCK

 

From the first to the last preschool day for Emily; all be it only 4 Fridays....She has gone in and conquered some of the doors thought closed to her!   The door to the preschool room.

The reviews coming to light from her (IDP) or infant development program team members or now her (CDP) or child development team members because now as a 3 year old her needs are that of a little girl and not a baby.

 By all accounts, Emily had surprised everyone with her ability to cope and adjust.

Seeing that the\\British Columbia's provincial funding program for 3 year old preschool aids was cut after last school year, there was some question as to whether Emily could cope independently in the preschool environment?

With Emily's eagerness to "try" and for the fact that we enrolled her in a summer program with a similar structure, it was determined that because she seemingly had no problems at that particular point (although in the summer Emily was assisted by her 4 year old sister) it was determined to give Emily a one month trial at the local recreation center preschool

Nearing the end of September, Emily's new  (CDP) leading member, came to the preschool to observe.

The findings were; surprising to everyone that Emily did cope very well and that the preschool teachers were very accommodating to her needs.  Emily knew what she wanted and where she wanted to go......to the gym for play time, to the toys for playtime , to the craft table for craft time to the mat for circle time and to the table again for snack time, She was very able to get onto the chairs, unzip her backpack and set out her snack.

Emily knew when she had to go to the washroom, but because the last there of an aid Emily unfortunately was encouraged to pee pee in her diaper.
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The only  other discouraging aspect of her preschool trial, which is now to continue the full school year, is that because she is for the lack of a better word, non verbal, that was, is and for the foreseeable  future going to be a major stumbling block. until a system is put in place that \\Emily is happy about using.  She does some signs, but such is not adequate her main form of communicating so for the present is different sounds; she goes (wee wee) to indicate a beverage or she points or goes directly to the fridge or cupboard.

Time will hopefully smooth over this one stumbling block, but as for what she has already accomplished and how far she has come......She is bound to beat and conquer all of the doubters including those admissions made by some of her fist doctors!!!!