Could a non-delayed child benefit from Early Intervention class?
March 16th, 2010 | 
Author: My son is ready for pre-school. There is an Early Intervention program in my town. They welcome both kids with developmental delays and those without. Those without serve as role models for the delayed kids. I think this would be a great way to teach my son to accept differences, and hopefully get a great early education for less $. My main concern is that my child, in turn, might NOT develop as well because of the other kids. Does anyone have experience with this? Thanks.
Important detail: While he has not been labeled "gifted", the Pediatrician has said his cognitive development is advanced for his age.
I would say go for it. I think that there is more positives then there are negatives. You listed the positives of him learning acceptances and it being cheaper.
The only negatives he may find the class not challenging enough. I wouldn’t even say that for sure though. if the preschool is welcoming all kids they will be adapted to all kids of all development stages. Even if the class is some what repetitive have to keep it in perspective, it is preschool if he hears the ABC’s one to many times and they don’t go over the color red enough, I am sure he will figure it out by grade one!!!
Preschool is more about ‘growing up’ the social skills and learning to interact with other kids, parents and teachers. It gets them in t the routine of school and being starting to be away from Mom (that is for both you!). The education part of preschool is really not preschools primary goal.
Good Luck!
Posted in 
Tags: 4 Responses to “Could a non-delayed child benefit from Early Intervention class?”
Leave a Reply
there is no evidence to suggest that this type of program is detrimental to a typically developing child-
the only concern would be if he was the only one in the progrma–or there were only a few typically developing children and many children with delays-
these classes are using no more than 50% children with delays-and many of those delays may be minor (language only, but good cogntive, play skills)
the education he would get there are readiness and social skills…it probably wouldn’t focus on advanced skills-but normal preshool level activities
References :
I would say go for it. I think that there is more positives then there are negatives. You listed the positives of him learning acceptances and it being cheaper.
The only negatives he may find the class not challenging enough. I wouldn’t even say that for sure though. if the preschool is welcoming all kids they will be adapted to all kids of all development stages. Even if the class is some what repetitive have to keep it in perspective, it is preschool if he hears the ABC’s one to many times and they don’t go over the color red enough, I am sure he will figure it out by grade one!!!
Preschool is more about ‘growing up’ the social skills and learning to interact with other kids, parents and teachers. It gets them in t the routine of school and being starting to be away from Mom (that is for both you!). The education part of preschool is really not preschools primary goal.
Good Luck!
References :
Please go look at the class. The only concern is the behavior of the other kids. If everybody is pretty well behaved, then it would be fine for your son.
References :
Well my 1st son was delayed and all of my children lived with him and did not fall behind from living with him. Infact they are smarter and better for it. My typical son also went to every therapy session and didn’t NOT develop as well because of being around the other children. I do not think you understand the notion of inclusion enough to make a good decision for your child. It’s not about getting an education for a price break – the mothers of the special children really count on the role model children to be friends with their child and model for their child. Also usually in the programs I’ve been exposed to its usually the typical siblings of the special needs child that are more often recruited for those spots because they have real life experience even at the tender age of 3 and 4 of special needs that present.
If your son is accelerated for his age – you should look for other programs like montessori or a homeschooling co-op where he can have social but you can also gear the learning to his fast pace.
References :
mom to a special needs child and 3 typical siblings