Pre-K serving children with unique needs

Key Takeaways:

• Pattison’s Academy offers a free specialized Pre-K program for special needs children in Charleston.
• The program accommodates medically fragile youngsters with comprehensive health services.
• Small class sizes ensure personalized attention, with one teacher and two assistants for three students.
• Families receive door-to-door transportation services at no cost.
• Parents like Ashley Bareford praise the program’s profound impact on their children’s lives.

Opening Doors to Special Needs Education at Pattison’s Academy

With the Charleston County School District’s new student enrollment period starting on January 14, Pattison’s Academy in Charleston’s West Ashley area is unveiling a specialized Pre-K Charter School program tailored for special needs children. This pioneering initiative is set to make a significant impact on families seeking comprehensive educational and health services for their medically fragile youngsters.

Meeting Unique Needs

“The specialized Pre-K is a relatively new offering to the disability community,” explains Dr. Laura Ganci, CEO of Pattison’s Academy and a key member of the charter school’s leadership team. “The children who are typical and best served at Pattison’s Academy are often diagnosed with multiple disabilities.”

The program boasts a robust health services department designed to accommodate students with complex medical needs. Classrooms are structured to provide individualized attention, featuring one teacher and two teaching assistants for a class size of just three students. This low student-to-teacher ratio ensures that each child receives the support and resources they need to thrive.

Charlotte’s Journey

One of the program’s beneficiaries is four-year-old Charlotte Bareford, who was born with Wolf Hirschhorn Syndrome—a rare genetic disorder that affects multiple parts of the body. Weighing only 4 pounds and 4 ounces at birth, Charlotte couldn’t leave the hospital until a gastrostomy tube (G-tube) was placed into her stomach to aid in nutrition and medication intake. At just eight months old, she underwent open-heart surgery to correct Tetralogy of Fallot, a rare heart condition.

“Charlotte presently receives 24/7 care with the help of a nurse, Gina, who is with the Pre-K student 46 hours a week,” shares her mother, Ashley Bareford. Despite Charlotte being non-verbal and not yet taking her first steps, the family remains hopeful about her development, especially with the support of Pattison’s Academy.

A Mother’s Perspective

When researching early intervention options, Bareford was immediately drawn to Pattison’s Academy. “Pattison’s was my number-one pick,” she recalls. “Just going through the website and reading about how amazing the school is and all the programs—and it was right down the street from my house, too.”

Charlotte’s experience at Pattison’s summer camp in August 2023 solidified their decision. Bareford describes those weeks as the “four most amazing weeks” of Charlotte’s life. “She has learned so much already,” Bareford enthuses. “She has a communication device that she’s using now that all of the staff at Pattison’s knows how to use also. Walking in, it just felt like home.”

Comprehensive Support and Services

Beyond personalized education, the program provides invaluable resources to families, including door-to-door transportation and in-house rehabilitative therapies such as occupational, physical, and speech therapy. “We provide them here in-house,” notes Ganci, emphasizing the convenience and continuity of care.

The academy’s commitment extends to preparing students for future educational environments. “Oftentimes, Pre-K students may need a year of intense services before they’re given clearance to advance to a less restrictive environment,” Ganci adds.

Making a Difference

For families navigating the challenges of raising a child with special needs, Pattison’s Academy offers not just education but a community of support. “It’s completely seamless, and it just makes my life so much easier with [Charlotte] being at Pattison’s,” says Bareford. “I don’t know where we would be without it.”

Learn More

Parents seeking a suitable Pre-K environment for their disabled child can visit Pattison’s Academy’s website for more information on enrollment and services offered. As Bareford’s experience illustrates, the right support can make all the difference in a child’s life.

Visit https://pattisonsacademy.org/prek for more information.