Adaptive ski program

[MinnieVanMom]

We live in the west and DS has been in an adaptive ski program since he was 3 and skiing since 18 months. He has wicked skills and is scarry good!

This year he is in his first year of school. That brought up the question of his ski program. How do we have him in school and at ski program on Friday afternoon.

DH said he just doesn't get to ski. I say we approach his school teacher as a partner and see if we can find a solution together. Maybe he goes half day on Friday 2x's a month.

Where is the solution? Do we just not do skiing anymore? Is it bad to miss 2 afternoons a month of school?

 

[1stluvispooh]

How old is your son? Does he take adaptive PE? If so you can have it written into his IEP that adaptive skiing take place of PE 2 days a month. I have to say otherwise it will be, at least in our school district an unexcused absence.

 

[pilgrimr]

We don't doski program, but we have a son in a Horse therapy. The therapy was from a non profit program and free for us, but it required us to take him out of school one hour early once a week. We talk to the teacher and she was very supportive about it. For us the horse therapy was very beneficial to our son and the school was very supportive. Hope this helps.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

We spoke the autism specialist and she said that leaving early on Friday is not good as it is a wrap up day for the children.

I was hoping for a better solution because of his mad skills on skis. He is fearless, fast and fabulous! I want to encourage is areas that he excels as there will be so many that he may not be able to function so well in.

Thanks for letting me know your experiences.

 

[bookwormde]

I tend to be a bit clinical when I make these types of decisions, with this said this is how I would look at the choice. Do the benefits (physical OT, self-esteem, anxiety reduction, development of an area of interest etc. outweighs the specific detrimental effects of leaving school early on Friday. Do not accept the generalizations that the “autism specialist” gave you, ask for specific items and areas which may be effected and if there are other accommodations which would lessen the impact.

We pulled our son out for private OT and speech each Friday with minimal disruption. Every situation is different. This year he has made so much progress that we are reducing the frequency.

I know this is a bit of an aspie approach to the situation but I think it can be helpful.

bookwormde

 

[carj]

I'm guessing that the program is not offered at a time after school hours? Is that correct?

It seems like there might be a need for the program after school hours. Could you make a request/suggestion to the group providing the ski program about the hours? (I know that may not be possible for them to change their time, or add more times but it never hurts to let them know that you are interested in other times.)

I think that you definitely have the right idea by approaching his teacher as a partner and working together to find a solution. (Do remember that some things, like attendance policies, are out of her hands.)

I hope that your son has a wonderful school experience!