Early Intervention

Partners In Learning Include Me Program is proud to be known for providing excellence in early intervention services.

Known as the Model Inclusive Childcare Center for Rowan County, we average serving over 200 children with special needs each year.   We are fortunate to not only have an On-Site Inclusion Specialist, but an entire Inclusion Program dedicated to the needs of all children at Partners In Learning and throughout Rowan County!

- Our inclusion specialist work directly with the children who have special needs through assessments or a referral from another agency. In addition, they facilitate activities that encourage the development of skills and achievement of educational goals.

- Individual support is available for families, along with information, referral, and case management assistance.

- Our Early Intervention Specialist provide play therapy to children all over Rowan County.

- Monthly support group meetings are also provided.

- The on-site Inclusion Specialist provides staff development using our site as a model demonstration site for best practices.

- In addition, part-time playgroups are offered at Partners In Learning for typical children as well as children with special needs in an inclusive environment. The playgroups are offered Monday - Thursday from 10:00A - 12:00P. The playgroups are free of charge to the community.

- Workshops are available upon request on all areas of inclusion; including, specific disabilities, advocacy, adaption’s, modifications, school readiness, etc. 

Family Support Services - Families are the most important component to a child's development. At Partners In Learning, we encourage their participation in a variety of ways. Through parent conferences and home visits, families have an opportunity to help develop their child's educational goals. For children with special needs, parents are an integral part of developing their child's Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individual Education Plan (IEP) which determine goals and objectives for the coming year. Parents are encouraged to volunteer in their child's classroom, throughout the center, or for special events or class field trips according to their availability.

Outreach services –Partners In Learning therapists and early childhood special educators offer outreach services to community child-care organizations. We provide direct assistance, as well as consult with staff members and caregivers regarding how their facility could enhance and/or improve early intervention services. Our recommendations increase providers’ confidence and help them to offer effective developmental support.

If you are interested in learning more about Partners In Learning’s Include Me Program or if you would like to find out how to enroll your child with special needs, please contact Cindy Webb, Inclusion Specialist, at cindy-pilcdc@carolina.rr.com or call 704-638-9020.

"Inclusion is changing the rules of the game so everyone can play and everyone can win."  Richard Villa

Five Things to Do When the Doctor Says "Wait and See"

So you're worried about your child, and you've brought your concerns to your pediatrician, and your pediatrician has uttered the three least satisfying words in the English language: "Wait and See." Welcome to Worry Limbo! For three or six or eight months, you will be neither relieved of your anxiety, nor empowered to do anything about it. If you're more proactive than passive, give yourself the go-ahead to try these five calls to action. No waiting required!

1. Ask why.

What specifically will the doctor be expecting to happen or not happen over the course of the waiting period? Is there something in particular that you should be looking to "see"? What would be the downside of moving forward now instead of waiting? What is the significance of the amount of time that has been chosen for waiting? Can you check in sooner than that if your concerns increase? Make your doctor work for that co-pay!

2. Request constructive suggestions.

Your doctor may consider it a comfort to you to delay a diagnosis and treatment, but he may really be dooming you to endless months of worry, with no positive action to offset your negative fears. Is there something the doctor can suggest that you do in the interim? Some exercises or activities? Some at-home therapies? Maybe just some good books to read? Recommended topics to research? Keeping busy helps.

3. Seek personal connections.

Ask if the doctor has worked with other families in similar situations, and see if you can be put in touch with them. Talking to moms and dads who have lived with the doubt and uncertainty, the "wait and see," and emerged happy that they did so may speak to you more effectively than a medical professional who's prescribed it but not lived it. Doctor won't play matchmaker? Do it yourself by seeking out a support group in your community or online.

4. Pay attention to your child.

Take this as a period in which to really enjoy and get to know the little one in question. Spend as much time together as possible, following your child's lead and observing strengths and weaknesses. Putting yourself on your child's wavelength may make you realize that things aren't as bad as you feared. Or it may make you certain that things are that bad and getting worse. If that's the case, and your pediatrician still advises idleness, it may be time to ...

5. Get another opinion.

Sometimes, "wait and see" is just doctor code for, "You are a hysterical parent who needs to be handled." If after consideration you feel this is the case with you and your doctor, honestly, just find another pediatrician. It's not that every doctor you see has to agree with you or else. Surely, you want someone who is more of an expert on children's health and development than you could hope to be. But every doctor you see does need to respect you as an expert on your child. Find someone who can do that now, before you get into the thick of dealing with special needs.

Information obtained from: www.about.com , Terri Mauro