William O’Connor, strive right or playgroup?

amother

Tue, May 14 2019, 3:16 pm

Hi,
I’d like to hear input from others moms.
My almost 2 yr old has language delays due to a medical condition. I’m thinking of sending her out to an EI program next year where she’ll be able to (hopefully) get more intensive therapy.
Child is bh fully cognitively aware, communicates with sign language and some speech. Working on getting a communication device.

I haven’t looked into any program yet, so would like to hear more info. Speech therapist highly recommends William O’Connor, but I know it’s not a Jewish school. (I know she’s young, but it’s a concern to us- especially because she is meh very smart) OTOH, we have a fantastic therapist at home- so maybe chaval to give up on it- and May be better off sending to a early head start program like yvy and keep current slp?

Child is immunocompromised, so class size will make a difference ( she needs the socialization desperately) also, being that we’re in bp, I don’t want her traveling too long.
Advice please!
Tia!

Tirza

Tue, May 14 2019, 3:23 pm

I would really recommend visiting each program that you are considering so that you can see for yourself.
I can tell you that I have heard many wonderful things about Strivright. They specialize in children with speech and language impairments. The teachers are very warm and caring, and it is a bright and happy atmosphere.

amother

Tue, May 14 2019, 3:24 pm

Tirza wrote:

Thanks. I’ll definitely do that, but want to first get a ‘feel’ and hear from others who’ve btdt.

amother

Wheat

Tue, May 14 2019, 5:17 pm

My hearing impaired child will be graduating soon from strivright. It is a very warm atmosphere, and the therapists are excellent. I did supplement with additional types of speech therapy that they dont provide, but all in all they are excellent. They also focus on social skills and creativity, and really challenge each kid at his level. Kids will be moved up tracks every few months even (with parental input) if they outgrow the class.
They dont allow or teach sign language (aside from a few baby signs in the infant group)

amother

Tue, May 14 2019, 5:54 pm

amother [ Wheat ] wrote:

Thanks, thats great to hear!
I guess I'll have to check in with them regarding the signing- my daughter is mostly doint baby signs as a bridge till her speech can fully come in- but we are hoping to transition to a communication device though. I wonder how they do with that there?

naomi2

Tue, May 14 2019, 7:01 pm

Strivright is an amazing school! They dont use sign language becasue they want to train the students to listen and speak. Those are key skills to thrive in any hearing community. That would be my first recommendation. William o'conner is also supposed to be great. There are 2 locations. Make sure to schedule a visit to each site to see what they can do for your daughter.
Please! Dont send her to a mainstream school. If she is delayed NOW is the time to get her a boost. After 5 it takes significantly more effort to learn new skills.
*It doesnt matter if the program is jewish.*
*It doesn't matter how smart she is.*
Right now what matters is getting her into an intensive program to get her caught up to her peers. You cant go backwards so dont let this opportunity slip by.
I really cannot stress it enough.
Good luck!

amother

Yellow

Tue, May 14 2019, 7:32 pm

I sent my hearing impaired daughter to strivright and she did amazing there. Originally she was in a mainstream playgroup, but wasn't gaining much from there. We made the move mid-year, and she started to blossom instantly. I am forever grateful that she was able to catch up, and graduate ahead of her mainstream peers.

amother

Wheat

Tue, May 14 2019, 9:36 pm

amother [ OP ] wrote:

Are most of the kids in strivright hearing impaired? how do they cater to a child who has language delays due to structural issues?

My child is hearing impaired and is implanted. I dont think that most of the kids there are. In my childs last 2 classes, most of the kids had different speech/language issues. Currently, in my child's class, there are no other implanted kids, and there are 2 kids with hearing aids, one with a baha. The other 9 kids have no amplification, so I assume they're there for speech or language delays.

(The classes are decided based on level of cognition and academic capabilities, as well as how verbal the child is.)

I don't know if I'm understanding the second part of your question, but if you're asking about speech therapy for oral motor issues or structural issues with the mouth/palette/jaw, I know they have a specialist that is there on occasion that evaluates for oral motor issues if the parent/therapist feels concerned, but in my experience this specialist gives advice to the speech therapist on how ro treat the issue, but does not follow up. In our case, our speech therapist (who's really great on other issues) wasnt great at following thru the recommendations. OTOH, that wasnt my child's main/obvious issue, maybe she was prioritizing.