Putting in a "regular" program???

Panic attacks now! Its things like this that are going to cause me to go gray by 32! I was talking to an old acquaintance about all of Joey's therapies and that he started Moms N Tots yesterday. She is a child psychologist and was very clear about her feelings: that I'm going to set Joey's progress with his PDD back b/c he is going to become self-conscience about being "behind" the other kids in Moms n Tots. Its not a PDD or ABA program so average kids are in it.

Now I'm starting to fear what if she is right??? I saw a difference yesterday with him but I think its because I'm aware of it: i.e. he isn't comfortable with kids his own age and likes to play alone. He is also SUPER attached to me. Originally my idea was to have him around other kids so he could get used to it and maybe put up stuff from them. I never did classes (music, gymboree, etc.) with him before so this is a major first for him.

I'm still making him do all the pointing and signing that he learns in ABA/speech therapy so its not like I'm slacking there. Advice anyone???

Re: Putting in a "regular" program???

How old is your DS?

I totally believe putting the children in "regular" programs is benefical to them. It shows them how to act around "typicial" children, listen to a teacher and the verbal models are great.

I have my DD in dance since she was 3 (now 4.5). Always in a typical class and she does great. I do tell the teacher before hand that she has PDD and some things that may "set her off", such as asking her too many questions that she'll need to answer and to not have the music super loud. Other than that she sits with the other kids, waits for her turn on the mat and does everything the teacher asks. She does awesome and I think it's great for her.

Re: Putting in a "regular" program???

DS is a few days short of 21 months.

He was fairly ok with Moms n Tots yesterday with the exception of "circle time". That was a huge no no for him. I was under the impression that my MIL told the teacher since they are close friends but after the class, I am going to mention it at our next class, Friday, to be sure.

Re: Putting in a "regular" program???

She's giving you the opposite advice from what I was told. I was encouraged to expose my DS to typical children in programs to help encourage his development of social skills and to have him be around typical peer role models. If he can handle most of the class, I would keep him in it.

My DS is in a special ed program, but is in a typical daycare after school. I think it's good for him to be around typical kids so he is exposed to other behaviors and children than what he sees at school.

Re: Putting in a "regular" program???

Re: Putting in a "regular" program???

I'm a preschool psychologist. I often encourage the parents who I work with to get their children involved in extracurricular activities that are appropriate for that child's specific abilities, and in which he/she can benefit. For example I would definitely encourage a parent of a high-functioning child with PDD to get him/her involved in a mainstream swimming/karate/soccer, etc. For a child with more significant needs, I would probably steer them toward extra-curriculars with instructors who are trained to work with their children. I think for a mother-child play group, at your son's age, and not knowing his level of functioning, he would benefit from being around "typically-functioning" children. They are good models for him. It is not going to hurt him.

Re: Putting in a "regular" program???

AJ is 4, he is ASD... we have been in EI since he was 15 months old.

AJ at that age was a loner as well, but having him around TYPICAL children was and is the best thing for him.

all of AJs friends, besides the ones he goes to school with are typical. in his age group there are about 6-10 kids we see ages 3-5 then there are many more who are younger or older.

keep him in the program and encourage him to play with the other children.

when AJ was in EI i used to schedule playdates at my house when an ABA therapist was here and there would be anywhere from 10-15 kids at a time...

if he doesnt interact, then at least he will observe the other children, and that cannot hurt (unless they are all terrors)

Re: Putting in a "regular" program???

DS was only diagnosed with PDD-NOS recently (he's 3.5), and he has been going to one class or group or another since he was about 6 months old. He was in a general daycare until this past month, and I think being around the other kids all day was too much for him, but he still goes there for a couple hours later in the day. Everyone I spoke with said he really needs typically developing children as role models, and he should be in typical environments fairly often. I was also encouraged to set up as many playdates for him as I could.

Every child is different, but this is the advice we were given. If it seems like he basically enjoys this class, I don't see how it would be harmful.

Re: Putting in a "regular" program???

I have no words for the advice that was given to you. It makes no sense to me.

The best therapy my dd had last year was gymnastics. She learned more in that class then in any of her EI sessions. Getting to observe all the other kids do the "circle time" activities motivated her greatly. My dd has a lot of motor planning issues, so she "knows" what should happen but can't always execute the 'moves'. When she sees others doing what her mind is thinking, she is so 'elated'.

Many times these "therapy" sessions, isolate kids. It's the worst thing. Plus he is 21 months for heaven sake ...his development has just begun !

Re: Putting in a "regular" program???

My DS is 4.
His school encouraged us to place him in a "Typical Setting" 2x a week (with a SEIT).

Why? Because they want his socialization skills to get even better.

The SEIT is with him, however, kind of takes a step back and let's him "figure it out" independently.

Socialization, I think is huge with PDD.

Re: Putting in a "regular" program???

This post made my day!! I just recently enrolled both of my 2.5 yo twins (boy and girl) into a typical preschool. They are both not diagnosed but we suspect sensory issues in both kids and possible adhd for my son.

For my daughter, I am seeing she is really blossoming in the social department. For my son, I am still questioning if I made the right decision, but after reading everyone's comments...I feel much better about keeping him surrounded by typical children.

My son also has a therapist shadowing him for two out of the three hours he is there and says he is doing well considering some of the troubles he has had before school started...

Re: Putting in a "regular" program???

I just wanted to add, as I mentioned, my son was in a general daycare last year. It was difficult for him at times, but he learned so much there about circle time and what is expected, how to sit with others and eat his food, I even think it gave his potty training a huge push (a little boy he admired started wearing underwear, so he wanted underwear too). Plus, I never would have known the extent of his developmental delays unless he was in that program--I seriously would not have, so I am grateful for the experience and would not do it a different way if I had it to do over.

This year he is in an integrated PreK and his teacher said he has assimilated into the class so well and quickly, and I think this is because much of what they do he is already familiar with from the other daycare (and he still goes there two hours a day).