Today I went and observed the ECDD (Early Childhood Developmentally Delayed) classroom. We are seriously thinking of sending Gabe to our public school. His ABA school is still awesome, but does not give enough time for socialization in a "typical" school setting. His growth would expand even more in this program. It functions just like a regular preschool, but has the added bonus of addressing special needs students. It is also blended with the Head Start Program. I was concerned at first about the mix of children and the possibility of Gabe not being challenged enough or challenged too much. So, after meeting the teacher a month or so ago, I decided I would take a day to observe her class in progress.
This classroom was very welcoming and the children were perfect, perfect for Gabe. He would love it there! I tried imagining him playing in the kitchen area, or painting at the easel, or even spending time with headphones on at the music center. An entire half
hour was spent exploring, mingling with others, creating! The activities seemed endless!I have been in a preschool numerous times, but never with the perspective that I carried with me today. Never with the questions of ...
Will he be able to follow their routine?
How many transitions are there? How are they done? Orderly? Same everyday?
Do they have a Pecs picture schedule that the class can readily see and follow?
Will someone be there to guide him?
How different will it be than his school now?
Will they be able to "love" Gabe the way I do? Even on his off days?
Are the aids friendly?
Will they be able to look past the stereotypes that accompany an ASD diagnosis?
Will he be happy?
Will he be able to grow?
His previous Early On teacher stopped in and said hello. I have always liked her. She is the type that remembers all her students and is genuinely interested in how they are doing. I just wish the Early On Program offered more and was able to give an appropriate and detailed evaluation of their incoming students. But, they just can't. Gabe's evaluation in the classroom through that program was atrocious. In a HALF hour they diagnosed him Developmentally Impaired, when he was clearly on the spectrum. Imagine what would have happened if I had not sought out a separate evaluation by a team of specialists from a leading hospital. I reccomend ALWAYS getting more than one evaluation done for your child. You wouldn't buy a new car just cause the salesperson told you it was a great car, would you?
Anyway, good , good feelings about this new path for Gabe. ABA is not offered through this program, so we will be doing maybe an hour a day after school and adding some goals that we have in his ABA program into his IEP goals (cutting with scissors, etc.) I think that sounds like the best plan. It will be hard not to return in the fall. We both have grown so much in the last year with all his wonderful therapists. It is time for change. I think Gabe and I are ready.
