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What
is MIPP?
Macomb Infant Preschool Program (MIPP)
The Macomb Infant Preschool Program (MIPP) is a
special education program operated by the Macomb Intermediate School
District (MISD). It is part of Michigan’s Early On ® system of
services for
infants and toddlers that provides free early intervention services for
eligible children with special needs.
The program serves children ranging in age from a few weeks to three
years who need special education services because of a medical
difficulty or developmental delay that can affect learning.
(If your child is over 3, you may contact the special education
department of your local school district.)
MIPP programs and services are designed
to provide information, guidance and parent education that will help a
family throughout their child’s first educational experiences.
How
do I know if my child has special needs?
While all children develop at
different rates, there are some milestones in development that are
typical.
Here are some milestones for different ages of early childhood.
If
I’m concerned about my child's development, how can I get a free
assessment?
Contact the
MISD
Assessment Center or call
Project
Find at
586-228-3463.
If
my child is delayed, what comes next?
Depending on the child’s age and needs, a child will attend one of
the four MIPP sites, or staff may work with the family
of very young children at home. The MIPP staff will work
in partnership with the family to share ideas and information while
setting goals for the child.
MIPP service providers work together to
support the child and the family. This team approach helps children
learn to do what they would naturally do, but may need extra help doing because of medical
difficulties or developmental delays. Children may receive one to eight hours of instruction per
month depending upon the number of services. Services are overseen
by a service coordinator and may vary from child to child based on needs. Services
that the child may receive include:
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Speech and Language Therapy
assists the parent/guardian to help the child develop communication
skills. These skills include teaching children to make their wants and
needs known by using gestures, signs, pictures, or words. A teacher of
speech and language helps the child in learning to imitate sounds, to
make use of words, and to overcome communication difficulties.
Teachers provide families with
general information regarding child development as well as information
specific to the child. Play activities are designed to nurture many
skills, including the child’s approach to toys and the environment and
getting along with others. They also focus on skills like problem solving, cause and effect,
memory and paying attention.
School Social Workers
help families better understand and cope with the impact of having a
child with special needs. Social workers help with
personal, educational and parenting concerns. In addition, they can act
as a liaison between the family and community agencies in obtaining information, assistance and services.
School Psychologists
measure a child’s developmental and intellectual abilities. They
use the diagnostic information to assist the team in planning the child’s
special educational program.
Occupational Therapy (OT)
helps a child develop small muscle movements and sensory motor
skills. These are the hand and finger movements that are used to eat,
play with toys, paste, color and even begin to write. The occupational
therapist also encourages independence in self-care areas, such as
feeding, dressing and toilet training.
Physical Therapy (PT)
helps a child develop and strengthen the larger muscles of the body.
Working on these muscles increases a child’s ability to move and
explore. Depending on the child’s needs, PT may include developing
head control, as well as improving balance, sitting, crawling, walking
or running. The physical therapist may help the family in ordering
special equipment, such as braces, wheelchairs and walkers if needed.
Paraprofessionals
are trained classroom assistants who help the staff and families.
Family Service Coordination
is provided by the person parents choose to assist them in
obtaining the help they need for their child. Family service
coordinators work with other service agencies to obtain needed services
for the child and family.
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How
are children taught at this young age?
A child’s learning experiences in
MIPP are through play. While play is fun, it is also serious work. These
earliest directed play experiences are important for growth and
learning. During MIPP sessions, parents participate and observe
the MIPP staff working with their child. Parents also learn and
practice the special play techniques. By taking an active part in
these MIPP sessions and using the play techniques at home, parents and
other caregivers have a major role in their child’s success.
What
support is available for parents?
Parents are an integral part of their child’s therapy
sessions. During these times, information and ideas are exchanged
between staff and parents. MIPP also holds monthly parent support group
meetings during the day. These may include play groups for the children.
Evening parent meetings are held several times throughout the school year. Various topics of interest are
addressed at these meetings.
Parents have an opportunity to meet one
another through participation in MIPP sessions and special activities.
As one parent said, "MIPP helped me feel I wasn't so alone."
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