Hi, I am a mother of a 3 year old with a speech delay. I noticed when he was about 18 months that wasn't saying mama or Dada consistently. He would scream when he wanted things and couldn't follow request like " say Hi."  So I was referred to early intervention. Upon screening he had several delays all pertaining to speech. He had therapy until he turned three (about 2 weeks ago). I may not have finished my degree in early childhood education yet but I am working as an assistant in a Montessori classroom. My job let me enroll him in a toddler class. Now that he is three and potty trained I want him to be in the primary class. However when he screams I cant help but notice this looks that people give him. I find it so hard to have people say "there may be something more than speech delay with him." I know my child has potential to be something great, but the more open I am with his abilities, the more people treat him as special and expect less of him. Now he is the oldest child in his class filled with less talking children and I don't really think its helping him. I am scared to ask for him to move up because it will be allot of work for my co-workers and friends. But the only reason I work there is for him to develop. I feel so frustrated!

Don't feel like you can't ask to move him up!! And yes, it might be more work on your co-workers but isn't that why they are there and why they work there.  OMG. your child comes first. If it is going to benifit him well do it!! Who cares what others think.  You know what he needs, you are his mother. buckle up and get him in the class he needs to be.  If they are your friends they will totally understand.  They shouldn't judge kids anyways or they shouldn't be working in that job!  I wouldn't want my child in a school where they judge him, the teachers are suppose to want to help and enjoy helping the kids that really need it!  It is a great achievement to have a child start to learn and do better because of you! And all teachers should think that way.

Jonelle,

I agree that it is hard.  Let me encourage you that you are his mother and what you say goes, by law.  If you say he needs to be in a classroom with kids about his age, then put your foot down and be your child's advocate.  There is nothing in the rule book that says he has to be in that class. 

You said people treat him like he's a special needs child.  Don't let them.  I'm going through the same thing with my 5 year old and Kindergarten.  She's slightly autistic and people treat her as if she were completely on the spectrum, when she's not.  It irritates the daylights out of me.  She is also the oldest child.  I'm seriously thinking of homeschooling her because of it all.  I'm tired of the testing, I'm tired of other people's opinions.  Nobody else lives with our children.  We do.  Nobody else sees what we see.  I feel ya.  Do you and your baby a favor and ask for him to be moved.  Don't be afraid.  It will come more easily the more you stand up for him.  I'll be praying for you, good luck and let us know if you need anything.  I'm just an e-mail away.

Jonelle,

I understand.  My son Noah is almost 4 and is hearing impaired, 50% in both ears.  He often dinosaur growls at people as a way of communication.  

I feel that for my son, and possibly as well for yours, that the yelling is them getting frustrated at not being able to communicate properly.  If it were me in a room with people that only spoke German, I would get frustrated.  

Explain to the people at the school that being in a classroom where the other kids speech is normal would help him learn to communicate.  That his yelling is a way for him to communicate now, but when he learns in a class setting of his peers, he will stop.  Maybe try it on a trial basis?

Good luck and God bless!

Lindsay

hi Jonelle, I guess my biggest question to you is this: if you didn't work there, how would you handle the situation? I don't feel like you can take the extra work/feelings of your co-workers into consideration on this one. it's all about what you feel is best for your child. good luck, i know it's rough, but i'm sure you will get your son exactly where he should be!

Thanks for all the great ideas everyone! I am goiing to meet with the head of school next week