ABA THERAPY OR PRESCHOOL PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

[REYNA33]

MY SON IS 4, HAS HIGH FUNCTIONING AUTISM,  HE HAS RECEIVED 1 YR OF ABA THERAPY, FOR DIRT CHEAP DUE TO A GRANT PROGRAM, AND HAS PROGRESSED TREMENDOUSLY.  HE ALSO HAS BEEN GOING TO HIS INCLUSION PRESCHOOL PROGRAM AT OUR LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOL AND HIS TEACHERS AGREE ON HIS MARKED PROGRESS.  MY DILEMMA NOW IS THAT DUE TO SCHEDULE CHANGES AT THE CENTER WHERE HE RECEIVES ABA, HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND SCHOOL SINCE THE TIMES CONFLICT.  I AM SO TORN BECAUSE ALTHOUGH ABA HAS GREATLY HELPED, HE WOULD NOT GET TO BE AROUND TYPICAL KIDS AND THEREFORE NOT GET THAT SOCIAL MODELLING, AND PLAY WITH TYPICAL KIDS.  ALSO MY SON IS PRETTY BRIGHT AND PICKS UP THINGS PRETTY EASILY.  ANY INSIGHT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED, ESPECIALLY FROM ANYONE WHOS HAD TO MAKE A SIMILAR DECISION.

[REYNA33]

He would miss preschool completely for 4 out of 5 days. He is on the waiting list for the later time slot, however he will be missing school during that entire time if and when that slot could ever open up. As far as Montessori schools, that is more expensive than what I pay right now for ABA so I'd be paying for that on top of therapy , which we simply cannot afford.  I also worry that if he misses this school year, when he comes back for kinder, he'll be the new kid and they won't remember him and his ways.  On the other side, will he retain all the things he learned in therapy?

[specialmom]

I would actually go the other route.  ABA therapy is really awesome and you saw progress.  At 4, he will begin 'real' school in a year.  So we are talking one year's time.  I'd get on your ABA place's wait list for a different time slot explaining to them the scenario.  

You can then look into other avenues for him.  Montesorri programs are excellent for kids with autism.  Our public school system has within it a preschool program of this nature that has inclusion.  

Another thing to consider, if he misses one day of preschool-------  could he attend the others?  Could you pick him up and take back to school??  

My son has sensory integration disorder and for one quarter, I picked him up for his appts. on Monday mornings after he was at school for one hour.  

So, if your son would only miss a bit of school---  like a day ----  could he go for the other 3 days of preschool???

[skepticalpeach]

If it were me I would have him stay in school. I wouldnt want him to get used to being out of school and away from the kids. Is he going into preschool this next year or kindergarten?