Home based or center based?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2005
Home based or center based?
4
Fri, 04-11-2008 - 7:13pm

Are y'all getting sick of me yet? Just call me Sybil...

We're in the process of making some changes to Claire's therapy. I was looking to send her to a special needs preschool 2 mornings a week. After having picked a preschool and thinking we were all set, I ended up finding a great autism center instead that combines one-on-one therapy with social skills lessons with 2-3 kids at a time. The center works with the preschool, and they can bring her over for circle time or playground time and act as shadow aides when socializing with bigger groups. It sounds perfect - and Claire LOVED it - the problem is that she would have to get all of her therapy there - 5 mornings/week, no more home program.

What do you think? I like the center, and think it would be good for her - but I'm freaking out. Is the center the right decision? I'm worried how she's going to adjust to being away from me that much (I'm welcome at the center while she's there, but with little sis that won't be feasible much of the time). Just thinking about being away from her that much makes me want to cry. But, I think it is a good next step in terms of what she needs skillwise.

Help - do you think this is a good idea? How do I help her adjust, and how the heck do I adjust to be away from her??

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sat, 04-12-2008 - 9:50am

My DS started a totally preschool based services program when he was 3.5.

                                

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Sat, 04-12-2008 - 9:53am

Kris,

Bottom line: I think you should go with your gut. I do have some input that you may want to take into account while making your decision.

Sometimes it is easier for a child to go to a school or program five days per week instead of two or three. Five days settles into a nice routine.

Also with routine in mind, check how the preschool and the center interact. Do you drop off at one place and they manage the transitions, or will you have to drop (or bus) her to different locations on different days? if different, that may pose some difficulties for her (likely less so if it is a bus to both places), but probably no more than if she was home some days and in preschool on others.

Look at the big picture and not just at Claire: would one situation or the other raise stress levels for you? I know the center will at first, but I am thinking after she adjusts and assuming she does fine: Will it be easier for you and Addie to have five mornings each week to do other stuff? Because that is a factor. No matter how much we try to hide it; "Mom stress" permeates the whole family.

A school or center will have access to peers and will work on peer interaction a lot. That is something that is much harder to do at home. As a Spectrum child usually has difficulties with social "stuff" a center-based program may be a better idea for her.

Well, those are my 2¢. I hope they help.

-Paula


visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-28-2007
Sat, 04-12-2008 - 10:38am

Cian started going last fall 4 days a week, 3 hours a day. His OT and speech therapy is included and it has been the best decision for him. Mainly as it gives him consistency and structure. As he was older than 3 (out of EI) I had to drive him to speech at the same school twice a week, so on a selfish basis, that was one less thing I needed to do.

I tend to agree with Paula, 5 consistent days might be better than two.

Dee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 04-12-2008 - 12:51pm

I'm a huge proponent of home care. I'm also a huge believer in mom's gut feelings. So, on this one I have to agree w/ Paula. The access to peer socialization work and the consistancy of a routine that is the same every day would be wonderful. I also think that having Claire happy at school you'll have time to really be w/ Addie and do things together.

I think we missed some crucial time in Weston's development by not believing that he had any problems and by my insisting that he would and could learn everything he needed to know at home. I had no idea that he had autism-- tho, I know now that I think I was in denial from age 3-6.

Go w/ your gut!

Betsy