ddi yap program

Our school district is pushing for us to send our child to the yap program. he has been diagnosed with pdd-nos. He needs p/t, o/t and speech but they don't offer a certified professional to accomodate these needs. I understand they have there barely trained teachers to pick up on and train our son on these issues. has any one sent their child there with these same issues and have success? also please let me know pros and cons of program. anything will help

Re: ddi yap program

My 3yr old was diagnosed with odd nos last year....he started in the yap program in sept 2010. When he was diagnosed, his test scores were very low...he was nonverbal, has tons of sensory issues, did not understand language much, and threw but the only tantrums for his lack of ability to communicate. I am an SLP who works full time and I could not make miracles happen by myself...

Since he started ddi, he is now able to eat by himself with utensils, increase his ability to accept new foods, is running and climbing and standing on his own, is now using words and sometimes sentences to request for things, is almost potty trained, and is able to tolerate being placed in a new situation...

They do not have therapists there, correct...but you have input on what things you want the staff to work on...for example, I wanted my child to be able to eat and use utensils during mealtime, that typically would have been an o/t goal, but they work that goal into his program every single day during those opportunities (mealtime is everyday) instead of an o/t coming in to see them once or twice a week for 30 mins. They also take data everyday and all this data is sent home daily...their parent trainings are phenomenal which they have twice a month... will address any issues or concerns you may have...they have team meetings every 6weeks and the whole staff is present to address your child's programs...

I like the program because they will address all goals that your child needs and they make sure that your child will be successful, not just in the classroom, but in all environments...which is why they stress their parent trainings so you see what is going on in school and you can carry it over at home. I also like the amount of individual attention my son gets during the day...not a lot of distractions...and if they want to challenge the child with adding a peer to an activity, they do it by adding 1 or 2 peers, not 6 kids...

FM me if you want more info...hope this helped! Good luck to you and your LO!

Re: ddi yap program

Yes that was extremely helpful. Seems like your child made really great progress in a short time. Do they eventually try to introduce a typical pre school and how much interaction with other kids do they get during the day? I'm also nervious that my child may pick up on other lets say quirks. Is this crazy of me to be thinking this way?

Re: ddi yap program

My son attends the YAP program. I agree with a lot of the above poster said about the program.
I was a little hesitant about sending him, because hwere he was at, he was receiving speech and ot, and I knew would NOT be getting that there. My son has a lot of sensory issues. I had my doubts for awile, but overall, I am so happy with his progress. This is what he needed. He was non verbal, and is now requesting things verbally. He is almost potty trained. Still working on the poop. They are EXCELLENT with potty training.
I do have one con, but would rather not mention it. I would rather discuss it in a FM, so feel free.
I am happy with his progress there.

Re: ddi yap program

My son did make alot of progress there...he used to be in a daycare while i was working and all he did there was look out a window and spit on the window all day long, throw tantrums (so the staff at the daycare didnt try to get him to join any group activities, so it wouldnt trigger a tantrum) and make faces at himself in a mirror...

Once he started ABA (2 hrs a day) last summer, a new daycare, and attended NIS for 2 1/2 hrs a day...he was a new kid...he was a superstar as soon as he went to DDI...the individual attention is what he needed...he had too much lag time to stim by himself all day long...he does have his quirks, but definitely not as much as before now that he is always stimulated. They do have the option to integrate into a typical preschool...they are thinking about doing that with my son hopefully by January next year...they do group activitiesand there is always enough staff there...my son is part of ciricle time, they eat meals as a class, they go outside to the playground and gym in a small group or as a class (6 kids in a class/ a small group can be 2 or 3 kids)...i used to worry about him picking up bad habits from other kids...but they keep him so busy at school that he has no time to notice other kids quirks...not to say that he doesnt have them...but the staff is great with managing those behaviors as well

BTW, which YAP program are you looking into? I only heard good things about Medford and Ronkonkoma...im not sure if their other sites have the YAP program.

Message edited 4/26/2011 7:43:34 PM.

Re: ddi yap program

My son was in the YAP program and i can't say enough!!!! they were wonderful!!! kind, caring and became part of the family!!! My son made huge leaps and bounds and I don't think he would be where he is now if it wasn't for them!!!! I wanted him to stay there. when he graduated i was balling!!! i miss it there sooo much!!!