Im so confused now.....

DDI...in Ronkonkoma just called to say they had an opening in their YAP (young Autism Program). We took a look and I have been leery about them because Christopher has a lot of sensory isuues, but we now have a Sensory Diet in place and is working GREAT. He is currently at Builing Blocks who I LOVE and he has made GREAT progress. He is starting to talk and has some nice spontaneous speech.
I really liked DDI and it is more intensive, which I think he could use.
I am just so confused, because he will lose the ABA at home becaue his day is longer at the program, and will lose the one therapist who I LOVE and Christopher loves, but I have to think of what is best for him.
I just needed to vent, and dont know what to do
Thanks for listening

Message edited 8/26/2010 3:30:03 PM.

Re: m so confused now.....

i have heard nothing but GREAT things with DDI, and if your DC is still in EI (even CPSE) if they still need additional ABA, he will receive it.

we looked into DDI last year when DS was still in EI and our ABA at home would have been reduced from 10 to 5 (bc the day is longer)

if you like DDI, fight for home services if your little guy can handle it.

good luck

Re: Im so confused now.....

Re: Im so confused now.....

If you like that school I would insist that you continue to get services at home in addition to his day at school. As a parent you are an important part of this process and he doesn't lose his diagnosis when they put him on the bus at the end of the day. You're gut is telling you that you aren't ready to be pulled out his treatment process yet and it is absolutely right in saying so. Are they continuing to give you related service providers in school? If you are getting some of this time perhaps that will eat into some of the ABA hours at school and you can get some of those hours at home. Either way you are totally right to try to want to keep treatment going on at home.

Re: Im so confused now.....

Isn't the YAP program the one where the entire program is delivered by teachers with occasional consults for related services (Speech, OT, PT)? If any of these areas are of major concern to you, you might want to consider a different program where your child would receive direct related services. If your child is only able to learn in a program like DDI's YAP and the related services are Not a big concern, then I would definitely consider YAP.

Re: Im so confused now.....

Check on pull out services with DDI.

I believe they don't do pull out for OT,PT, speech. Just like Boces.

Re: Im so confused now.....

Re-read your post, love. I think you've already answered yourself! Follow your heart ...
Our philosophy was least restrictive environment as long as he was making steady progress. By that line of reasoning, i'd keep him where he is.



PS - call me! I can tell you a few things that I'm not really comfortable writing if you want more info.

Re: Im so confused now.....

thanks everyone for your advice..my gut pulls me in the direction to try the more intensive program, because he does so well in an ABA setting....I just dont know.
Lea......FM me your # again, I cant find anything, Im a mess

Re: Im so confused now.....

I used to work at YAP in Ronk...and most of my students received ABA in their home before or after school. There are no pull out services...but believe me this program is intense. All of the students there make AMAZING progress. The teachers and TA's really do a great job with the students. I would reccomend this school to any parent who has a child with Autism. Also, a friend of mine is a teacher there and another is a TA.

Re: Im so confused now.....

DDI YAP does amazing things for kids! There are no related services (speech, ot, pt) which is okay for some kids. Most of the kids there do get at home aba hours too- so look into that. They will also give respite hours too. Another great thing about DDI is the parent training that they provide.