Our biggest blessing is that Noah was able to get the special medicaid (Katy Beckett funding I think) for families who don't qualitfy financially for SSI. They only look at HIS income and diagnosis. The Medicaid is a secondary insurance and all but two of his docs accept it. This has allowed us to get private in-home therapy.
When he turns three, we have the option of getting it in the school system without placing him in it. We could, of course, place him in the local special needs preschool. We could also do private therapy as long as we have the Medicaid. I have not been thrilled with the idea of driving all over with the older boys each week.
I have also been trying to decide whether to keep him in our Mom's Morning Out program at church (which our other boys attended for 3 years each and loved). He has had a great year there and is loved beyond measure, but he isn't getting challenged.
In the end, we've chosen an interesting route to try. My husband works in the next county over and they have an incredible special needs preschool. It is considered part of their school district (as a charter school) even though it is for kids 0-6yo. They get their therapies and a basic preschool experience. He'll be in a school system--but not the one in our own county. I like that--even though our county is pretty HS friendly. Noah will start in June or Aug two days a week. My husband will drop him off and I will pick him up. He will have in-home therapy until age 3 as needed.
It isn't the route I EVER thought we would take, but it is something we've prayed over for a year. I feel a real peace about it now. I hope and pray it will be a great experience. We will probably put homeschooling in the IEP from the start.
I know it is hard to figure out!! Praying for you as you look for what suits your family best.
Hollie, Homeschooling mom to Eli (7yo), Kyle(5yo) and Noah(20 months, T21)
