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Domino
Always My Miracle
Member since 9/05 9923 total posts
Name:
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Let the questions begin! All input appreciated!
Today was my first day touring a school (Just Kids) for DS who will transition out of EI in the fall. He has a diagnosis of PDD-NOS and is receiving 18 hours of ABA a week in home. He is high functioning but nonverbal, however his speech is emerging. He has come a long way in six months and came very close to losing services on his last evaluation. Except for the Social and the expressive catagories (which were 1.6 below) he scored above average in the others. I am having a hard time figuring out where to place him. While he has excelled with ABA, I am beginning to see the pitfalls of it. His therapists dont think he should give up the ABA. But then again they're ABA therapists.
Anyone have any feedback with regard to the Early Start Denver Model?
I liked the JKAP program as it combined both a self contained element and integraion as well. Was wondering if anyone had enrolled their child there?
General comments overall about the school are appreciated.
It was my first tour so I dont really ahve anything to compare it with....
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Posted 2/27/12 3:35 PM  |
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ruby
you rang?
Member since 6/08 5573 total posts
Name:
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Re: Let the questions begin! All input appreciated!
Your DS sounds just like mine, high functioning but nonverbal, though also recently we've tons of emerging language, almost a burst. My DS just turned 3 and has aged out, we're in NJ so I can't help with the school search but wanted to know if you could explain this further:
Posted by Domino
While he has excelled with ABA, I am beginning to see the pitfalls of it. His therapists dont think he should give up the ABA. But then again they're ABA therapists.
Not second-guessing you at all, just looking to learn all I can and don't know what pitfalls ABA would have at this point, but I could be missing something of course. Your thoughts would be great. 
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| Posted 2/27/12 8:34 PM |
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rbsbabies
LIF Adolescent
Member since 12/08 544 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Let the questions begin! All input appreciated!
What's JKAP?
In an nutshell my son is 3, PDD-NOS. He started ABA home services just after his 2nd b-day and he was talking within weeks. Since then he has done remarkable with ABA. His academic level is at a Kindergarten level. He has issues socially and behavioral but I think it's because he doesn't know how to socialize and then becomes frustrated.
So when he aged out I chose DDI. The program is intense, it's a wonderful thing; YAP but now that I've done it, I would tell anyone that it can be stiffiling and the constant schedules and pictures everywhere drives me crazy. He went from a kid who was pretty easy to reason with to someone now who looks for a schedule to see what's coming next. Point being if you don't think total structure for your child is adequate, go for a more integrated environment. I myself am searching for the fall so if I come up with something I'll let you know.
I'm leaning towards CDCH but it's in Wainscott.
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| Posted 2/27/12 8:51 PM |
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Domino
Always My Miracle
Member since 9/05 9923 total posts
Name:
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Re: Let the questions begin! All input appreciated!
Posted by ruby
Not second-guessing you at all, just looking to learn all I can and don't know what pitfalls ABA would have at this point, but I could be missing something of course. Your thoughts would be great.
I dont know a delicate way to say it but DS almost seems like a trained circus animal One example was when we had a sub come in when his regular therapist was on vacation. The minute she walked in the door he started walking around the room and pointing to things and naming them. She was like "Oh, how smart you are" and I was thinking to myself "really? Cause typical children feel it necessary to perform like that?"
He does it with all adults now. Even my friends. My friends cant come in the house without him grabbing their hands, dragging them in his room and saying "play." he even does it with strangers, which freaks me out.
I find that those int he ABA world tink it is the be all end all because they have the data that says it works. And like I said, I dont dispute that it works, but I often wonder if it has worked so well for DS because of the program or just that he is getting older and catching up naturally. I also wonder if he knows why the answer is the answer or just that its what is expected for him to say KWIM?
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| Posted 2/27/12 8:56 PM |
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Domino
Always My Miracle
Member since 9/05 9923 total posts
Name:
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Re: Let the questions begin! All input appreciated!
Posted by rbsbabies
What's JKAP?
JKAP stands for Just Kids Autism Program. I copied this off their website:
The JKAP classroom ratio consists of 12 children, 1 special education teacher, 1 general education teacher, and 2 teacher aides. Each child’s day is spent in both 1:1 and small group learning environments with opportunities for integration. Intensive teaching is used during 1:1 time to target each learner’s specific objectives. Progress is tracked and recorded on a daily basis, which is used to evaluate the success of teaching strategies and the child’s pace of learning.
They use the Early Denver Model instead of ABA which seems similar but more "natural." I liked the program because it seemed to address but of his needs: the one on one teaching half of the day and then in an integrated environment the other half which would put him with typical children as well.
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| Posted 2/27/12 9:05 PM |
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lbelle821
Arghhhhh
Member since 2/06 5285 total posts
Name:
Lisa
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Re: Let the questions begin! All input appreciated!
Almost every therapist that has ever worked with my son believes that ABA was NOT the right therapy for him. Despite his diagnosis he did very well with learning on his own. He didn't need discreet trials.
I didn't believe it for a while. Right before he aged out of EI I had them do ABA and the few times I observed I saw exactly what they meant.
I know it works wonders with most children on the spectrum. It just wasn't right for my son.
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| Posted 2/27/12 9:11 PM |
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dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: Let the questions begin! All input appreciated!
JK in Lindy or elsewhere? My son goes to the JK in lindenhurst , I have not been thrilled at all with them, The first CPSE year ( he went through EI as well) was great, his teacher was great, downhill since there. I think you just need to no matter where have a good rapport with the teachers and therapists and lots of communication .
But he has SPD, Speech and motor delays, not on the spectrum.
BUT..I am looking into the Floor Time model recently a lot and I would look into that. The results are amazing. IDK what places offer it though. We are reading up on it and trying to implement some of it ourselves, and through a sensory gym.
Good Luck with everything.
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| Posted 2/27/12 10:43 PM |
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rbsbabies
LIF Adolescent
Member since 12/08 544 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Let the questions begin! All input appreciated!
Sounds interesting, I hear you about the "trained animal" I refer to him as a robot, it breaks my heart when I just hear him speak and it's so un-natural. Having 1 older one that doesn't speak and 1 younger that does, gosh these days I don't know which is worse it's really just so hard.
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| Posted 2/28/12 8:31 AM |
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sapphire
LIF Adolescent
Member since 6/06 568 total posts
Name:
Elizabeth
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Re: Let the questions begin! All input appreciated!
The DIR/Floortime model should be embraced more on Long Island, it's so disheartening to see it completely avoided. NIS was the only school that I saw who even "mentioned" it.
Any child who is dealing with SPD would benefit from the DIR model as well. I highly recommend the book Respecting Autism, ...the way they figure out a plan for a child is exactly how a plan should be figured out (IMO). Unfortunately, the Rebecca School is not on LI.
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| Posted 2/28/12 10:08 AM |
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lbelle821
Arghhhhh
Member since 2/06 5285 total posts
Name:
Lisa
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Re: Let the questions begin! All input appreciated!
Posted by sapphire
The DIR/Floortime model should be embraced more on Long Island, it's so disheartening to see it completely avoided. NIS was the only school that I saw who even "mentioned" it.
Any child who is dealing with SPD would benefit from the DIR model as well. I highly recommend the book Respecting Autism, ...the way they figure out a plan for a child is exactly how a plan should be figured out (IMO). Unfortunately, the Rebecca School is not on LI.
To add to my post above, the DIR/Floortime is what worked best for my son rather than ABA. we are in NJ.
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| Posted 2/28/12 12:38 PM |
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ruby
you rang?
Member since 6/08 5573 total posts
Name:
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Re: Let the questions begin! All input appreciated!
Posted by lbelle821
Posted by sapphire
The DIR/Floortime model should be embraced more on Long Island, it's so disheartening to see it completely avoided. NIS was the only school that I saw who even "mentioned" it.
Any child who is dealing with SPD would benefit from the DIR model as well. I highly recommend the book Respecting Autism, ...the way they figure out a plan for a child is exactly how a plan should be figured out (IMO). Unfortunately, the Rebecca School is not on LI.
To add to my post above, the DIR/Floortime is what worked best for my son rather than ABA. we are in NJ.
Lisa did you find any facilities that had that? I know you're not superclose to me but I'll travel for the right services.
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| Posted 2/28/12 1:22 PM |
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sapphire
LIF Adolescent
Member since 6/06 568 total posts
Name:
Elizabeth
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Re: Let the questions begin! All input appreciated!
sorry to hijack Domino's thread ...but wanted to send Ruby this link.
http://www.ctcschool.org/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx
Also if you go to http://www.icdl.com/dirFloortime/overview/index.shtml you can locate individual therapists who are trained in DIR(OT,Speech, Psych, and sometimes Special Ed teachers) that are service providers near you.
Message edited 2/28/2012 2:09:07 PM.
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| Posted 2/28/12 2:07 PM |
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dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: Let the questions begin! All input appreciated!
the last link didnt work for me?
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| Posted 2/28/12 2:14 PM |
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sapphire
LIF Adolescent
Member since 6/06 568 total posts
Name:
Elizabeth
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Re: Let the questions begin! All input appreciated!
I am always really bad at "links" sorry lol
www.icdl.com
Message edited 2/28/2012 2:18:26 PM.
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| Posted 2/28/12 2:16 PM |
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dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: Let the questions begin! All input appreciated!
Posted by sapphire
I am always really bad at "links" sorry lol
www.icdl.com
 Thanks!!!!
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| Posted 2/28/12 2:23 PM |
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2ofakind05
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/08 754 total posts
Name:
Robyn
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Re: Let the questions begin! All input appreciated!
DS is now 3 1/2 and has a PDD-NOS diagnosis as well. He started getting ABA 15 hours/week, just before his 2nd birthday. I can relate to what all of you are saying about being "trained." I toured a bunch of spec ed pre-schools when he was going to age out of EI, and decided to send him to a typical pre-school with a SEIT. He too is kindergarten ready accademically, but socially not there yet. Since he has been at the typical pre-school, he has learned how to socialize better and follow directions a lot better. He is like a different child. He still gets ABA sessions at home, but the therapists do more of a play therapy session with him. I cannot believe he is the same child. He has come so far in a year and a half, it is amazing to see the difference. I know this decision is not for everyone, but it was right for my son, to act and behave just like everyone else.
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| Posted 2/28/12 6:57 PM |
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rbsbabies
LIF Adolescent
Member since 12/08 544 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Let the questions begin! All input appreciated!
Posted by 2ofakind05
DS is now 3 1/2 and has a PDD-NOS diagnosis as well. He started getting ABA 15 hours/week, just before his 2nd birthday. I can relate to what all of you are saying about being "trained." I toured a bunch of spec ed pre-schools when he was going to age out of EI, and decided to send him to a typical pre-school with a SEIT. He too is kindergarten ready accademically, but socially not there yet. Since he has been at the typical pre-school, he has learned how to socialize better and follow directions a lot better. He is like a different child. He still gets ABA sessions at home, but the therapists do more of a play therapy session with him. I cannot believe he is the same child. He has come so far in a year and a half, it is amazing to see the difference. I know this decision is not for everyone, but it was right for my son, to act and behave just like everyone else.
I just want to say your words are very inspiring, thank you for sharing. I too am looking forward to seeing my son in a different light and you helped me decide to change schools, thank you
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| Posted 2/28/12 8:10 PM |
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lbelle821
Arghhhhh
Member since 2/06 5285 total posts
Name:
Lisa
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Re: Let the questions begin! All input appreciated!
Posted by ruby
Posted by lbelle821
Posted by sapphire
The DIR/Floortime model should be embraced more on Long Island, it's so disheartening to see it completely avoided. NIS was the only school that I saw who even "mentioned" it.
Any child who is dealing with SPD would benefit from the DIR model as well. I highly recommend the book Respecting Autism, ...the way they figure out a plan for a child is exactly how a plan should be figured out (IMO). Unfortunately, the Rebecca School is not on LI.
To add to my post above, the DIR/Floortime is what worked best for my son rather than ABA. we are in NJ.
Lisa did you find any facilities that had that? I know you're not superclose to me but I'll travel for the right services.
We had it through EI and they employed it at his typical daycare. At the time he wasn't in any other programs.
He is in our district's preschool disabled program now (for the last 1.5 years) and they don't really subscribe too much to labeling what they do. He gets pulled for PT, OT and speech. He has an aide. The rest of the day is spent in a structured classroom. Our district does have an ABA class but after visiting it I knew it wasn't right for my son. He is able to learn in a more natural environment and he has made significant strides.
You have to look at each child individually. ABA can be amazing and has proven time and time again to do great things. It just wasn't the right course of action for my son.
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| Posted 2/28/12 8:46 PM |
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ktcmblondie
LIF Infant
Member since 9/08 201 total posts
Name:
Kristy
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Re: Let the questions begin! All input appreciated!
There are some great DIR resources out there to get you started...
There is a parent forum through the ICDL site that is a good place to start...Engaging Autism is Greenspan's introductory book to the model...Feel free to FM for any additional resources.HTH
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| Posted 3/1/12 8:48 PM |
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Domino
Always My Miracle
Member since 9/05 9923 total posts
Name:
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Re: Let the questions begin! All input appreciated!
Posted by 2ofakind05
decided to send him to a typical pre-school with a SEIT. He too is kindergarten ready accademically, but socially not there yet. Since he has been at the typical pre-school, he has learned how to socialize better and follow directions a lot better. He is like a different child. He still gets ABA sessions at home, but the therapists do more of a play therapy session with him.
Did you get much opposition with regard to ABA at home? Everyone I have spoken to has expressed to me that they just dont do this anymore and that if DS needs ABA then a typical preschool is NOT the right environment and that he belongs in a center based program.
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| Posted 3/1/12 9:15 PM |
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colesmom
Brady's mom too!
Member since 5/05 1989 total posts
Name:
Lea
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Re: Let the questions begin! All input appreciated!
Posted by lbelle821
Almost every therapist that has ever worked with my son believes that ABA was NOT the right therapy for him. Despite his diagnosis he did very well with learning on his own. He didn't need discreet trials.
I didn't believe it for a while. Right before he aged out of EI I had them do ABA and the few times I observed I saw exactly what they meant.
I know it works wonders with most children on the spectrum. It just wasn't right for my son.
Same here - ABA was a disaster for us. Floortime and an integrated setting (and tons of SPD work) is what pulled Cole through.
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| Posted 3/8/12 8:36 PM |
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2ofakind05
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/08 754 total posts
Name:
Robyn
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Re: Let the questions begin! All input appreciated!
Posted by Domino
Posted by 2ofakind05
decided to send him to a typical pre-school with a SEIT. He too is kindergarten ready accademically, but socially not there yet. Since he has been at the typical pre-school, he has learned how to socialize better and follow directions a lot better. He is like a different child. He still gets ABA sessions at home, but the therapists do more of a play therapy session with him.
Did you get much opposition with regard to ABA at home? Everyone I have spoken to has expressed to me that they just dont do this anymore and that if DS needs ABA then a typical preschool is NOT the right environment and that he belongs in a center based program.
He still gets sessios at home, but they don't do typical ABA with him anymore. It's more of a play therapy. He just doesn't need the rote memorization to learn something. They still ask him questions, and try to get him to think of the answers without memorizing them. Questions like, name 5 animals, name something you drink, tell me 3 friends names from school.
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| Posted 3/8/12 8:54 PM |
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