[blindkid] My daughter is turning 5...

[Andy & Sally Thomas]

Dear Crystal,

I'm not sure that we can answer the question about what you can expect. 
Programs for blind kids vary greatly from state to state and even from 
school to school.  I would suggest that you visit the school your daughter 
would attend.  Talk with the teacher and observe the classroom.  You know 
your child better than anyone.  I believe that you will have a feel for the 
program once you experience it.

That being said, your child has certain legal rights to education.  You can 
fight for what your child needs.  Sometimes all it takes is your 
persistence.  Sometimes it takes professional help in the form of an 
advocate and/or attorney.  Each situation is different.  The law is somewhat 
vague so you have to decide what is the best use of your resources of time, 
talent and money.

I wish we could guarantee you the best for your daughter but the reality is 
that you will have to be vigilant and keep learning about what she needs. 
We are here to help the best we can.  You will become the expert.

Sally Thomas
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Crystal Abel" <websurfergirl19 at hotmail.com>
To: <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 12:38 PM
Subject: [blindkid] My daughter is turning 5...



My daughter, Tatiana, is turning 5 on January 5th. I am wondering if I can 
get some advice from you? I do not have a School for the Blind close to me. 
The one in Salem, Oregon is 2 hours away from me. I have been home schooling 
my boys and here they do standardized testing for home schoolers starting in 
third grade. I do not know how the school system works for when she is in 
Kindergarten. Tatiana is developmentally delayed and still doesn't crawl or 
walk yet. She has a whole slew of endocrine problems and is totally blind 
with nlp. She also has seizure disorder and a Mic-Key button because of 
feeding issues. Developmentally she is about at 2-3 years of age in her 
communication skills and less than that physically. We live in Rainier, 
Oregon right across the river from Longview, Washington.

I am wondering about if I put her in the mainsteam public school system what 
can I expect? What will they be doing with her? Do they just not do 
standardized tests with her? Please tell me your experiences putting your 
child in mainstream public school. Thanks!

~Crystal

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