How did you make the decision to have your child participate in the program?
A representative from USD 500 was present at Katie's initial developmental evaluation at KU Medical Center. She began receiving home-based services immediately following that evaluation. At the start of the next school year it was a natural progression to send he to St. Benedict's. No place else in this area offers the complete package of special education services and daycare appropriate for children with disabilities.

How have you been able to give input into how your child's needs are met?
1) Daily interactions with paraprofessionals.
2) Daily interactions with daycare director.
3) As needed sessions with the classroom teacher.
4) Periodic up dates from the speech therapist, occupational therapist and physical therapist.
5) Communication with USD 500 special education administrators.

Who are the ongoing participants on your child's IEP team?
1) classroom teachers
2) speech therapist
3) paraprofessional
4) OT and PT professionals
5) ECSE administrator

How are you communicated with on a daily or weekly basis?
Communications are provided primarily on a verbal basis. However written communications also occur.

How has the program benefited your child?
There is absolutely no question that our daughter has benefited from the unique services offered at St. Benedict's. As working parents, the fact that the program incorporates special education services with a day care has been invaluable. It has allowed us to provide her with stability and continuity in her daily routine. We are also confident that the professionals working with her are trained to handle her special needs.

Does your child have a special friend?
All of the children in Katie's classroom "look after her" sometimes too much so. Of all the children, Jasmine or "Jazzy" probably qualifies as a special friend.

What advice would you give to other parents in placing their children in inclusive programs?
Be assertive! You are your child's best and at times, only advocate NO ONE can speak better for your child than you. It never hurts to ask for a particular service especially if you feel that it is merited. Educate yourself about your child's special needs. Pick your battles. Some issues are worth fighting for, others are not, especially if a reasonable alternative is available. Speak up! My daughter cannot, so we are her only voice.

To what extent do you feel involved in the overall program?
We have always felt as if we are a part of the services that Katie receives. Part of that may be attributed to our active efforts, but the remainder is because the staff at St. Benedict's goes out of their way to make us a part of the process.

How do you feel your child is benefiting from the inclusive aspect of the program?
By inclusion in a "normal" classroom, Katie is surrounded by role models. It provides a stimulus to do things that would be absent in a classroom of children like Katie. As Katie matures it is important that she learn to function in the "normal" world. She needs to learn to communicate, the appropriate way to act, and how to "play" with her peers. Isolating her would only create an artificial environment that would be impossible to re-create in any other setting.

Have you had any concerns? If so, how have these concerns been addressed?
At the beginning of this school year, I had concerns about promises that were made to our family for a personal paraprofessional in Katie's classroom. That service was later removed. Although we were disappointed, the staff at St. Ben's and USD 500 sat down with us to create an IEP that would meet Katie's needs and our concerns without the use of a personal paraprofessional. There have been other minor issues, but the staff at St. Ben's and USD 500 have always responded quickly to our concerns, and they have always been addressed in a professional manner.

There is no question that the quality of care and instruction that Katie has received while a student at St. Benedict's is the primary reason for her continued advances in development. As working parents, the majority of programs available to children with special needs simply are not an option. Most are only half a day, provide no transportation, or day care services. Katie's a very passive child, and our concern with conventional day care is that she would be stuck in a corner, virtually ignored. Not intentionally, but because there is simply not time, resources, or understanding on the part of the providers to provide the additional instruction and attention that Katie requires.

In addition Katie is not a child that transitions well (does any child?) and the disruption in her day for transportation to another facility for day care, would not be in her best interest. The added benefit of on-site therapy (OT, PT, Speech) also allows the therapists to incorporate their recommendations into the classroom's daily plan. For example, all the children in Katie's classroom, as well as the instructors try to use sign language with Katie. There are also stick drawings all around the classroom to facilitate her speech therapy.

It is unfortunate that all other special education programs, especially those serving preschool age children cannot or do not adopt St. Ben's global inclusive approach.