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The Graduation Struggles in Search
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Posted on March 3, 2011 by skhov
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For most parents, graduation is a common occurrence. Kolainu we live by this philosophy.
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Donate Children grow up, complete their natural development
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and milestones and move on to the next step in their The Graduation Struggles in
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path. For parents of children with autism it is not that
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Center-based Programs easy. Graduation time is always stressful, emotional
Home-based Programs and expensive. It is a time where a parent is reminded Recent Comments
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that the security and the safety of their child’s
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placement is coming to an end, and the emotional March 2011
rollercoaster is about to begin.
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Phase I: In the early years 0-3, Early Intervention is
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offered to those individuals who are identified as Meta
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SKHOV News delayed. These services are extremely parent friendly. Entries RSS
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Most parents in this stage are trying to understand the
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initial shock of their new reality. They are assigned to
a service coordinator whose job is to assist the
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parents in everything that they need to know, do or
Links say to maximize the potential affectedness of the
Schools services provided. The parent can choose agencies,
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providers, location and decide the extent of personal
involvement in the program. In addition, these
services are free of charge and providers for this age
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group are usually highly qualified since financially it is
the most lucrative age group to service.
Phase II: The second shock comes at the turning 3
review where a parent understand that the hand
holding of the Early Intervention program is no longer
available and that they are now their child’s advocate.
Since state approved non public day cares are
available they have to go on school visits,
communicate with a district administrator, and try to
“beat the rush”, of the limited spaces that are available
for their children. In addition, home services that are
so commonly provided in previous years have to be
justified with a rational and are at times taken away
based on the child’s school program recommendation
and developmental delays. Providers for this age
group are more difficult to find since the
reimbursement rate is lower and the services are
mostly done after school. At this time some parents

2. choose to retain a lawyer, advocate or consultant to
help them.
Phase II: The third shock is when a child ages out of a
preschool state approved program and is
recommended for placement in a small classroom
ratio in a public school or at times referred to Central
Based Support Team. This is, in my experience,
emotionally, financially, and socially the most difficult
of the stages. The parent now understands the needs
of their special needs child and at times feels like the
given recommendation does not provide appropriate
education. Since outside services are more limited the
program placement is crucial and the spaces are
limited. Parents struggle to find a school that provides
their child with a safe and secure environment while
teaching them the skills that they need to learn.
Parents like soldiers fight in every way they can to get
the services they believe their child needs, at times
they succeed on their own, but unfortunately many
times they need a full army.
The rest of the phases are individualized based on the
location and path that the parents choose. It is
important for parents to understand that they are
powerful and that their words count. As the
Educational Director of Shema Kolainu, I find myself
faced with parents in all three phases on a regular
basis. I recognize the fire in their eyes and the
determination to insure that their “babies” will continue
to reach their full potential. I wanted to thank all of the
parents out there that struggle each day and continue
to fight for their children.
Graduation time can be difficult and draining, it can be
a reminder of all the struggles that are to come, but it
should also be a celebration of all the success that we
have accomplished. I wanted to personally honor
those parents who moved through the phases and
successfully provided a safe, secure and educationally
significant environment for their children. Specifically, I
want to thank the families that through the years
allowed Shema Kolainu to be the environment of their
choice and congratulate them on all their victories.
Gili Rechany MA, SBL, BCBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Educational Director of Shema Kolainu-Hear Our
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