ASD kids and daycare?
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ASD kids and daycare?
| Mon, 10-10-2005 - 9:22am |
Does anyone have their child (autistic, pdd, etc) in a daycare? Is it a special daycare or a regular one? How do they do? I'm considering going back to work, and wondering what to do with Jake (2) if I decide to do so. I'm not sure if he's on the spectrum, yet - we're waiting for an evaluation. However, recently we've had a good couple of days, and I'm less concerned. But if he would end up being dx, would I still be able to return to work? Just wondering how all this might affect my decision. Thanks.
Jen

When the kids were young they were, but they did get kicked out of 2 daycares first. I remember when I lived in MA there was a referral agency that had lists which included which daycares took kids with disabilities. Perhaps try your local ASA or state department of disabilities and see if such a list exists.
I was very fortunate in that I lived next to my hometown. The lady who had watched me when I was a child was still in daycare. She had also raised 7 of her own kids and had tons of foster children go through her home, many of whom had disabilities. Her husband was also retired and home to help. It was wonderful and she was great. It was like going to thier grandparents house for the day.
Currently I don't work (we moved 6 years ago) and much of it is for this very reason. For the past couple of years I wouldn't be able to put Mike into any sort of daycare. I stayed home because I wanted to but now I can go back adn this is the one thing holding me back. It stresses Mike out very badly when I mentioned it and I worry he will regress or get very aggressive. There are after school places that will take him that take special needs children and have good programs, but it is his anxiety that keeps me from doing it. THere is even one that would be covered by his regional center hours and I was gong to bring him for social time and he freaked. There is the boys and girls club that is nearly no cost and has a "kids included together" program for SN kids where the SN kids even can have an aide if they are regional center clients.
It is possible, but I would recomend finding a place experienced with SN kids and willing to take them.
Renee
wrote a long post about this recently, but here goes again ;)
Both my kids were in daycare sine they were a few months old. At first, Peter was in a family -run daycare in someone's ome. He did great there and realy bonded with Sylvia (to this day, he watches women with long, blackm curly hair!).
The we moved and placed him in a daycare *center* Big place, bright lots of colours, lots to do. Shortly after that move came The Great Regression of 2000. I don't blame the daycae center for that. (blame the MMR combined with genetics)
Anyhoo, that place was a nightmare for us. Peter's *teacher* was great, loved Peter and had experience with an Autistic child, but the setting was all wrong irregardless. Siobhan started there as a baby and there were problems there too, -totally unrelated to ASDs or SN: missing a bottle, not noticing a high fever UGH.
Eventually, through a referal, we found a wonderful couple who runs a daycare from their home. LIke Renee described, it was like going to Grandma's and Grandpa's -but with structure and education. We noticed changes in Peter's behaviour within three weeks. So he never became a model citizen, but they loved him and worked with us, and really, really cared about him. (One woman told them to kick Peter out or she would pull out her child, and they refused, so the child left. -I found that out by accident)
They also raised the first concerns regarding Siobhan. They ran a preschool curriculum too, teaching the kids phonics and reading. Siobhan tarted K knowing how to read and what a vowel is. He brother is only starting vowels now, in 2nd grade. I just can't say enough good things about these people.
Sorry I'm rambling: Bottom line: try to find a daycare run lovingly from someone's home and avoid big daycare centers like the plague. Also make sure they have a nice structured day, and will use visuals. such as posting a picture schedule for each day, if you think Jake needs it.
HTH
-Paula
visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
Jen,
I've stayed home since Nathan was born. I worked part time after Tyler was born....but I wasn't making enough to afford TWO kids in daycare!!! Even with dh's salary, at the time!
Nathan can be really high maintenance at times, so I know that I'm probably never going back to work. Dh works really long hours, so I feel it's important that one of us be here for the boys. And his salary now, makes it possible for me to stay home, so I am lucky to be able to do this.
Finding someone who has experience with special needs children is a real must. We've had babysitters on a couple of occasions, and it was difficult for them. And we would only be gone for a couple of hours!!! Wish I could be more help, sorry!! Hope the eval goes well.
Michelle