Parents Of Children With Autism...... Advice Needed!!!!?

Question

Our daughter was born on September 21, 2004. She was diagnosed with a language and comprehension delay, which means she also lacks social skills for typical 4.5 year olds her age. She doesn't interact with other children other than her brother, who is 15-months younger than her.

In our state, she missed the cut-off date by just 6 days (thank God!) to start Kindergarten this year, meaning she has an extra year to "catch-up".

She is already enrolled in a "Special-Education" Program, but this year, I want to start her in a "typical" Preschool setting as well as her special education program to get her more socialized.

They have 3 different programs that she can be in. They are:

- Transition 3-4 Years
- 4 Years
- Pre-K

She is suppose to start Kindergarten Fall 2010. The "transition 3-4 years" class doesn't seem academically challenging enough for her in what they are teaching the children (numbers 1-10, ect).

Should I put her in the Pre-K class or the "4 Years" class?

Again, she is scheduled to start Kindergarten Fall 2010, BUT she will be turning 5-years-old THIS September, but she talks like a typcial 2.5 year-old.

Any advice or just shared experiences will be GREATLY appriciated!!!

Answer 1

This is a tough situation and just so you are aware preschool is a added bonus for schools and not mandatory. Sometimes these very essential programs for student learning are the first to go when the budgets are low. The 4 years would focus more on socialization and appropriate play skills. The pre-k is going to focus on academics so you need to decide which one is most important for your daughter at this time.

I am glad to hear that she is getting early intervention from a special education program but it sounds like she needs a lot more opportunities for speech therapy or practice. See if you can find anything about the picture exchange program or applied behavior analysis. These programs are very advantageous for students with autism. Typically these programs cost a fortune but you could set up your own type of cause and effect learning for your daughter at home to help her if you get some information from the professionals she is currently working with. Hope it all works out. Email me if you have anymore questions.

Answer 2

I am not sure where you live but the best solution for you would be a class where she could get special education services while being in a typical education classroom. I teach head start and this year I had a child this year, not autistic but just very developmentally delayed, who at the beginning of the year spoke in two word sentences. Since getting speech therapy and just being around typically developing children she has made huge gains. She is not yet at her age level, for her she probably never will be but just being in that environment helped her a lot. Since you have some time, why don't you go observe each program to see which you feel will be most beneficial to your daughter. I would also ask what kind of special education services each program could provide. If these programs are not in your local school district then you should look into that because schools are now required to provide programs for preschool children who have special needs.



Good Luck!

Answer 3

The special ed program she is in should be geared to her needs. It should also take 3-4 hours per day 5days per week.

When are you planning her to be in this preschool class?



Can you petition the local school board to place her in an extra class for socialization? It should be put in her IEP.



I don't know what preschool you are thinking about but your local BOE child study team or your personal developmental psychologist should be your guide in what educational classes your daughter should take.

Answer 4

Your 8 month old sounds quite normal from what you have described. From my experience: At 8 months they do not always turn when you say their name, in fact, they rarely do. Back and forth babble? Not sure what exactly that is. Imitation of sounds - mine certainly was not doing that at 8 months, he does it now at 16 months and Mama and Dada mine didn't say until probably 12 months or so, he said Mama first and didn't say Dada til maybe 13 months or later. (I am talking about saying "Mama" for real and not just "momomomom" babble type stuff") Baby babble is totally normal for that age, it's what they should be doing, they are not going to be talking at 8 months or even saying any real words.

Answer 5

Sorry, but there is no one right answer for you.



It will only be through trial and error that you will find out what program works. I know that seems rough but the truth is the truth. And, don't be afraid to fail. It's o.k. That way you know what works and what doesn't. It is the only way to figure things out.

Answer 6

Put them up for adoption, I'm sure an arab sheik will pay you top dollar!