Re: blended disabilities preschool

[Guest guest]

My son, who is almost 5 and has ASD, is starting his second year in a blended-disabilities preschool class in the North Olmsted school district. The class also has typical peers. I cannot say enough about how much his social skills have improved due solely to that class. He exhibits much more ease while playing around other children (especially one-on-one). He now responds to questions asked of him by other children, he will now make spontaneous, on-topic comments to other children, ask them questions, and even initiate play ideas. He just seems much more aware of other children playing in his space than before. In addition, he can now take part in an active, meaningful way in other children's imaginative play schemes. On top of that, his individual play skills have improved as well. He is actually coming up with his own pretend ideas and is really starting to use his imagination while playing at home alone (he is an only child). I cannot emphasize enough how much this class has helped his social and play skills.

I can attribute this only to his preschool class. During the summer, he was in a few programs that had ASD children only and I saw no change in his skills following the one, and only a little improvement following the other (mostly that program built up/strengthened his skills from preschool and built up his confidence in social settings).

So, our experience has been highly positive in a mixed-disabilities classroom.

Margie

[Guest guest]

Hi, Eileen --

I really think it depends on your child. A few questions to ask yourself: 1) Some Autistic children can mimic, but may not do it all the time...I have a son like that. Do you think yours might if exposed to neurotypical behavior from peers? 2) Does your child talk or communicate in any way? 3) Does your child seem to understand what is being said to him, even if he doesn't always acknowledge it?

Least Restrictive Environment in IDEA 2004 is a requirement for the school systems to educate special needs children with other children who are not disabled to the maximum extent possible. Because the Purpose statement of IDEA states that special education and related services must meet the "unique needs" of each child, the "maximum extent possible" will be different for each child.

Personally, both my Autistic boys were in blended preschools. My oldest is still in a blended setting in first grade. With everything, there are good points and bad points. My boys are learning a lot about the "unwritten social code," as Temple Grandin and other Autistic writers have discussed, by being in blended school settings. So far, the children have all been nice to them. But, I know that can change at any time, so I watch it as best as I can, and continually ask the teachers and aides to be mindful of it and alert me to any problems.

You may find that you need to try a blended preschool setting to rule it in or out as an option for your child. Or, you may already strongly suspect that it's not a good option for your child -- at least not at this point in time. Perhaps you'll need to start with a special needs school before a transition could be made to an integrated setting.

The only thing I would keep in mind is this: Unless your child is so severe on the Spectrum that there is no possibility of ever mainstreaming him (which I would think would be too hard to tell now), you may want to eventually try the integrated setting. Someday, your child will grow up and need to find a way to navigate in a world that includes a bunch of neurotypicals whose brains are not wired the same way as his. Ask yourself if this would be easier or harder to achieve later in life.

--Suzanne

-----Original Message-----

From: esullivan.home@...

Sent: Fri, 22 Sep 2006 5:07 PM

Subject: [ ] blended disabilities preschool

Has anyone had any experience (good or bad) with sending their child to a blended disabilities preschool (i.e. preschool with children with ASD or other disabilities and possibly with typical model peers)? Which school district? I already know about Middleburg Early Education Center. I'm trying to figure out what might be a good setting for my son when he's three. The early intervention teachers I speak with tout how great it is for a child with ASD to be in a class with other children and especially typical peers. On the other hand, there is all this research that shows kids with ASD don't have good imitation skills, so group preschool is lost on them.

Any thoughts would be most welcome,

Eileen

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Margie, Thanks so much for your response. If you don't mind me asking a few more questions -- what age did your son start the preschool? What is the student/teacher ratio of the preschool? What other programs or treatments did you do, if any, to supplement the preschool? Thanks, Eileen You can respond off-list if you wish. caitlinsds@... wrote: My son, who is almost 5 and has ASD, is starting his second year in a blended-disabilities preschool class in the North Olmsted school district. The class also has typical peers. I cannot say enough about how much his social skills have improved due solely to that class. He exhibits much

more ease while playing around other children (especially one-on-one). He now responds to questions asked of him by other children, he will now make spontaneous, on-topic comments to other children, ask them questions, and even initiate play ideas. He just seems much more aware of other children playing in his space than before. In addition, he can now take part in an active, meaningful way in other children's imaginative play schemes. On top of that, his individual play skills have improved as well. He is actually coming up with his own pretend ideas and is really starting to use his imagination while playing at home alone (he is an only child). I cannot emphasize enough how much this class has helped his social and play skills.I can attribute this only to his preschool class. During the summer, he was in a few programs that had ASD children only and I saw no change in his skills following the one, and only a little

improvement following the other (mostly that program built up/strengthened his skills from preschool and built up his confidence in social settings).So, our experience has been highly positive in a mixed-disabilities classroom.Margie

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[Guest guest]

Hi,

I sent my aspie teen to an integrated preschool when he was small(approx 10 yrs ago),and he really blossomed there. They identified what areas he needed help in and followed through(speech,an aid to help with social). It was ran by the local college so the students who were majoring in early childhood education were the teacher's aids. He wasnt dx'd with autism at the time but several of the students had said that my child reminded them of autistic children that they worked with.

----- Original Message -----

From: Eileen Sullivan

Sent: Friday, September 22, 2006 5:07 PM

Subject: [ ] blended disabilities preschool

Has anyone had any experience (good or bad) with sending their child to a blended disabilities preschool (i.e. preschool with children with ASD or other disabilities and possibly with typical model peers)? Which school district? I already know about Middleburg Early Education Center. I'm trying to figure out what might be a good setting for my son when he's three. The early intervention teachers I speak with tout how great it is for a child with ASD to be in a class with other children and especially typical peers. On the other hand, there is all this research that shows kids with ASD don't have good imitation skills, so group preschool is lost on them.

Any thoughts would be most welcome,

Eileen

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I've had great success with our school districts (north royalton) preschool. My ASD daughter ws in the program for three years. Theres 3 classrooms and this year started an intensive program where the kids go from 10 am til 3:15. My twins are peers this year. Their teacher is ABA trained and is very knowledgeable with spectrum kids. There is different disabilities with peer models. Our district worked very well with us and I would recommend it to anyone. Eileen Sullivan <esullivan.home@...> wrote: Has anyone had any experience (good or bad) with sending their child to a blended disabilities preschool (i.e. preschool with children with ASD or other disabilities and possibly with typical model peers)? Which school district? I already know about Middleburg Early Education Center. I'm trying to figure out what might be a good setting for my son when he's three. The early intervention teachers I speak with tout how great it is for a child with ASD to be in a class with other children and especially typical peers. On the other hand, there is all this research that shows kids with ASD don't have good imitation skills, so group preschool is lost on them. Any thoughts would be most welcome, Eileen __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Eileen,

Just curious as to what research you are referencing...even in an

ABA program it is based on imitation...everything in life (esp

children with autism) is based on repetition and imitation. Whether

it is via an ABA program or an integrated classroom. I have yet to

see a child have good social skills develop when only surrounded by

adults in an ABA program. When that happens the child learns to

only associate with adults because that is what he has been

surrounded by. Imitation skills if weak need to be taught and how

better to learn social rules and skills than by peers...I kind of

agree that unless your child is so severe that there is no hope of

them ever being integrated in society that an integrated classroom

is wise.. That is key to any successful child (in addition to a

well run ABA program (wink).

Patty

- In , Eileen Sullivan <esullivan.home@...>

wrote:

>

> Has anyone had any experience (good or bad) with sending their

child to a blended disabilities preschool (i.e. preschool with

children with ASD or other disabilities and possibly with typical

model peers)? Which school district? I already know about

Middleburg Early Education Center. I'm trying to figure out what

might be a good setting for my son when he's three. The early

intervention teachers I speak with tout how great it is for a child

with ASD to be in a class with other children and especially typical

peers. On the other hand, there is all this research that shows

kids with ASD don't have good imitation skills, so group preschool

is lost on them.

>

> Any thoughts would be most welcome,

>

> Eileen

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

I Have Twins that go to Arlington, in parma, Ohio. It is a pre-k program from ages 3 to 6 with children w/disabilities mixed in with typical peers, I absoulutly love this school, my twins have made alot of progress since going there. This is my boys 3rd and final year this year, I am afraid were to send them after this last year because they will be 6 yrs in february. I believe it is beneficial to have typical peers or children more advanced than your child because they can role model and pick up on things that are advanced for them, rather than be in a class were there are children all more behind than your child or at the same level, then I fear my child to regress. This year I asked for a double session of Pre-K, the past 2 years I only sent my boys to school for the morning session. At the end of last school year I thought I wonder if I requested to go morning & afternnoon session would the school approve that for next year?

I felt repetition would be good for my boys autism, they approved it never had that request ever. It has been working out wonderful, & I am seeing some more improvements in my boys! So keep that request for a double session in mind! Tracey!!!pcrawfo1 <PCrawfo1@...> wrote: Eileen,Just curious as to what research you are referencing...even in an ABA program it is based on imitation...everything in life (esp children with autism) is based on repetition and imitation. Whether

it is via an ABA program or an integrated classroom. I have yet to see a child have good social skills develop when only surrounded by adults in an ABA program. When that happens the child learns to only associate with adults because that is what he has been surrounded by. Imitation skills if weak need to be taught and how better to learn social rules and skills than by peers...I kind of agree that unless your child is so severe that there is no hope of them ever being integrated in society that an integrated classroom is wise.. That is key to any successful child (in addition to a well run ABA program (wink).Patty- In , Eileen Sullivan <esullivan.home@...> wrote:>> Has anyone had any experience (good or bad) with sending their child to a blended disabilities preschool (i.e. preschool with children with ASD or

other disabilities and possibly with typical model peers)? Which school district? I already know about Middleburg Early Education Center. I'm trying to figure out what might be a good setting for my son when he's three. The early intervention teachers I speak with tout how great it is for a child with ASD to be in a class with other children and especially typical peers. On the other hand, there is all this research that shows kids with ASD don't have good imitation skills, so group preschool is lost on them.> > Any thoughts would be most welcome,> > Eileen> > __________________________________________________>