Spectrum moms, can you please share your DC's therapy schedule?

DS will be 3 in Feb, so he's still in EI for now so primarily I'd like to know those schedules but since he'll be transferring into the district special needs program in February I'd also like to know what your 3+ children's therapies include (what is in their IEPs).

Right now DS gets speech 2x a week, OT 1x week and DI 1X a week (we're in NJ so I think DI is the same as special instruction in NY).

We just got his PDD diagnosis on Friday and the developmental ped's suggestion is to keep the speech as is and to increase OT to 2X a week and then add ABA at 20 hours a week.

20 hours--- is that standard?? Too much in your opinion or too little? I realize every child is different but seeing everyone's range would be helpful. I have no idea where we're going to fit in 4 hours of ABA every day plus everything else we have to do but I guess we will....that's IF his EI even approves it I suppose. And how does that work? If the dr says he needs it for EI do we automatically get it?

Also, anything specific I should insist upon regarding his ABA therapist??

I feel so lost and overwhelmed, we're in NJ too so I know it may be different here, I just don't know where to go for advice and who to trust...

Re: Spectrum moms, can you please share your DC's therapy schedule?

Being in NJ too I have to say that this board drives me nuts because it seems like NY kids get a lot more therapy than they offer in NJ.

That being said, when DS got his diagnosis he received:

4 days of 1 hour DI floortime
4 days of 1 hour shadowing (these were done back to back at daycare)

2 days of 1 hour speech
1 days of 1 hour PT
1 day of 1 hout OT

We got our diagnosis from a neurologist. She wanted him to have 20 hours of ABA. In my son's case (and with his DI therapist's recommendation) she really didn't feel that he would benefit from ABA and discreet trials because he was a little more "higher functioning". I put it in quotes because it is a relatative term. I eventually had her switch to ABA towards the end before he turned 3 and she continued to be his therapist. I didn't notice much difference in her technique except now she had to write down more data than she did before. With both my son did really well. Do you currently have a therapist that works a lot with your son? Perhaps try and pick their brain a little. I became very close to his DI therapist and she helped me tremendously and still does!

Re: Spectrum moms, can you please share your DC's therapy schedule?

We are in NY and my DS recieves all services at school (he will be 5 in Jan).
We did start in home services and then after EI, everything took place in school.
He gets 10 hours of ABA and he also attends a 2.5 hour class 5x a week.

He gets:

PT-2 days-30 mins.
OT-1 day-30 mins.
Speech-3 Days-30 mins.

Note: PT is 1 group session and 1 individual.

OT is individual

Speech: 1 individual, 2 group.

Our schedule was like yours until we moved into district. Based on his IEPs and goals we were able to decrease some and increase some.

He also attends a typical Pre-K T/Th afternoons with a SEIT.

Those hours are part of his 10 hours of ABA and he's doing really well!

Any questions, please, FM me!

Re: Spectrum moms, can you please share your DC's therapy schedule?

When we got the diagnosis, he got:
Special Ed preschool class - 3 hrs/ day, 5 days (mix of kids, not all on spectrum)
PT 2x 45 min/week
OT 4x 45 min/week
Speech 4x 45 min/week
ABA 10.5 hrs per week (1.5 hrs 7x per week)
Parent Training 1 hr/week

I think if he wasn't in the 1/2 day preschool class, he would have gotten closer to 20 hrs of ABA/week.

It is overwhelming at first, but once you get into the routine of it, it's less daunting. I work FT, and when I heard he needed ABA at home 3x per week for 1.5 hours per day and 1 hour of parent training at home, I wondered how the heck we would fit it all in. We did, and it made a big difference for him. It was taxing at times and we were sort of a slave to the therapy schedule for a year, but I would do the same thing again, given the choice.

Now, in CPSE as a 3 year old, he is in a full day preschool program (I think all or most of these kids are on the spectrum or have sensory issues), and gets
speech 3 x 30min/week
OT 3 x 30 min/week
PT 2 x 30min/week

This is what is on his IEP. His school does a few other things as part of the school day, like group movement therapy and social skills that are not on the IEP.

ETA - after speaking with a friend in NJ that has a child on the spectrum and comparing notes, it seemed to us that EI was much more accommodating here in NY, but that the preschool services and programs seemed easier to deal with in NJ after they turn 3. The districts have their own programs in NJ, so you don't have the crazy competition of trying to get your kid into a slot at a private preschool like you do here on LI. I know this is a generalization, but she was telling me that navigating EI in NJ was really frustrating.

ETA 2 - ABA is more than just discrete trials. Even if they feel discrete trials isn't the best approach for your child, don't let that dissuade you from getting the ABA. My DS had it in a very natural setting, especially at home. They did take data, but for lack of a better way of explaining, it was a more "relaxed" way of taking data than discrete trials

Message edited 10/25/2011 3:09:09 PM.

Re: Spectrum moms, can you please share your DC's therapy schedule?

Posted by dpli

When we got the diagnosis, he got:
Special Ed preschool class - 3 hrs/ day, 5 days
PT 2x 45 min/week
OT 4x 45 min/week
Speech 4x 45 min/week
ABA 10.5 hrs per week (1.5 hrs 7x per week)
Parent Training 1 hr/week

I think if he wasn't in the 1/2 day preschool class, he would have gotten closer to 20 hrs of ABA/week.

It is overwhelming at first, but once you get into the routine of it, it's less daunting. I work FT, and when I heard he needed ABA at home 3x per week for 1.5 hours per day and 1 hour of parent training at home, I wondered how the heck we would fit it all in. We did, and it made a big difference for him. It was taxing at times and we were sort of a slave to the therapy schedule for a year, but I would do the same thing again, given the choice.

Now, in CPSE as a 3 year old, he is in a full day preschool program, and gets
speech 3 x 30min/week
OT 3 x 30 min/week
PT 3 x 30min/week

This is what is on his IEP. His school does a few other things as part of the school day, like group movement therapy and social skills that are not on the IEP.

ETA - after speaking with a friend in NJ that has a child on the spectrum and comparing notes, it seemed to us that EI was much more accommodating here in NY, but that the preschool services and programs seemed easier to deal with in NJ after they turn 3. The districts have their own programs in NJ, so you don't have the crazy competition of trying to get your kid into a slot at a private preschool like you do here on LI. I know this is a generalization, but she was telling me that navigating EI in NJ was really frustrating.

Re: Spectrum moms, can you please share your DC's therapy schedule?

Posted by ruby

Thanks so much, do you think your friend in NJ would mind speaking with me, or emailing? I know that seems a little out there considering I'm a total stranger , but it would be a huge help as I know no one in NJ going through this (we've only been here a year and a half).

Also, you can get services on the weekends?

Re: Spectrum moms, can you please share your DC's therapy schedule?

Preschool FT program
6/1/2 ratio
5 days per week

2 hours ABA per day in addition to school - home services

2 OT per week

2 PT per week

5 speech per week

1 family training per week.

I go to a free support group organized by DS' school once a month.

Re: Spectrum moms, can you please share your DC's therapy schedule?

EI my schedule was the same as yours now he's in school for 6 hours and gets home ABA 3 hours a week. He doesn't get any other therapies.

Re: Spectrum moms, can you please share your DC's therapy schedule?

Now that my son is kindergarten, he is in school for 6 hours and gets ABA at school. No more home services

I do get Familiy training, 2 x a month and I take him for PROMPT.

There is no such thing as too much

Re: Spectrum moms, can you please share your DC's therapy schedule?

When AJ was in EI he got weekly when he was 18 months old

10 x 90 of ABA
3 x 45 of speech & OT
1 x 45 of PT
3 x 60 parent training

At 2 years old the only changes that were made were parent training 1 x 60, and 3 x 2.5 hours of school. Everything else stayed the same.

When he transitioned into CPSE at 3 his IEP states
3 x 30 OT & PT in school
School is 9-3 Mon through Fri
ABA and speech is done in school all day
3 x 30 speech at home
SEIT/ABA 3 x 60 weekly at home
1x 60 parent training a week

That year and a half of EI at home was a lot but we managed it, and still had playdates at least 3 times a week. He started EI at 15 months old but was just getting special ed 5 x 45, speech and OT 3 x 45 weekly.

I honestly feel there is never too much.

He will be 5 in August and I am sure when he enters kindergarten we will loose speech.

Re: Spectrum moms, can you please share your DC's therapy schedule?

Thanks everyone! This is all so helpful!

Thinking it over and reading your thoughts I guess we will take the 20 hours of ABA, that's if they actually give it to us.

I'm also going to call our insurance today and see what they cover as far as private therapy.

Re: Spectrum moms, can you please share your DC's therapy schedule?

Full Time Preschool M-F 9-2pm
3x30 Speech, OT (in school)
2x30 PT (in school)

1 Hr M-F SEIT after school @ home


Take as much as they give you if your child can handle it. It seems the older they get the less they get.

Good luck!