Is 2 and a half too young to start school program

In speaking with my DD EIOD, she mentioned maybe starting school in the summer or fall. DH and I discussed and felt it would be best if maybe she started in the fall since the summer is pretty crazy. DD will be 2 years 8 months by the time the fall session starts.

Do you think its too young? and if so i was going to look into some schools and would like some feedback. right now the therapists that my DD is with are all from building blocks in commack.

these are the schools i was going to look into.

Building Blocks in Commack
Just Kids in Middle Island
DDI in ronkonkoma
NIS in Yaphank

any thoughts, comments, experiences with either. How do I know which one is right for my DD? DD was Dx with PDDNOS in July of last year at 18 months. she has been receiving ABA since September and speech since January.

Re: Is 2 and a half too young to start school program

DS started NIS this past September when he was 2 ( he turned 3 in mid-october. He is like a different kid now and has done remarkably well! Please feel free to FM with any questions. I have toured most of the other schools you mentioned.

Is 2 and a half too young to start school program

AJ was diagnosed with Classic Autism 15/18 months old... he was getting close to 40 hours of home therapy from Nov - August. he turned 2 in August 15 and in Sept he went to school 3 x 2.5 weekly and and still got close to 40 hours of home therapy.

at 3 years and 3 weeks he started full day school 5x weekly and was getting between 20-30 hours of home therapy, on top of what he was getting in school.

so IMHO 2.8 is not too young for school.

i am from nassau so i dont know about those schools.... but sending AJ to school was the best thing for him.

Is 2 and a half too young to start school program

My DS started school at 2 years, 3 months. I was a little worried about it, but it was the best thing for him. I would start her ASAP so she can get as much benefit from it as possible.

Re: Is 2 and a half too young to start school program

IMO I would start in the fall. The summer session is only 6 weeks and then you may not continue to receive services for the rest of August if you transition to cpse. Also it may take a while to adjust to the school routine and its difficult to start and stop and then start again in September.

I really think age is all dependent on your child. My ds started at 2 yrs 4 months 3 mornings a week and had a hard time adjusting. He also got sick often so he missed a lot of school and it was difficult to get readjusted. On the upside he started school 5 days a week at 3 yrs 4 mths and did amazing. He now loves school and misses it on days off. But my ds is very attached to me and has a hard time separating.

Overall the school program did amazing things for my ds and really helped him grow socially.

Re: Is 2 and a half too young to start school program

I don't think it is too young. My DD was 2y 4m when she started school. She goes to DDI in Ronkonkoma. LOVE it there!! My only criticism is that they cap the amount of therapy they give. DD was approved for 4 sessions of PT per week by the district, but they said they only give 3! I was going to pull her out of there for that, but my neurologist said it really is the best place for her. So I kept her there, and just take her privately for an extra PT per week.

ETA: I did NOT put her on the bus at when she started. I did think she was too young for that. I drove her. I didn't put her on the bus until this year (3years old). I actually still had her rear-facing in the carseat when she started going to school!

Message edited 6/9/2013 2:34:56 AM.

Re: Is 2 and a half too young to start school program

Has anyone heard anything about the leeway school in say vile or alternatives in setauket?

Re: Is 2 and a half too young to start school program

I toured Alternatives, Just Kids in Middle Island and NIS in Yaphank. I chose NIS which is where DS is currently and excelling.

Re: Is 2 and a half too young to start school program

My DS attended Building Blocks. He started there at 27 months and stayed there through pre-k.
We were very happy there and he loved it. We started him in the E.I. seperation class. I believe it was 90 mins. (or maybe 2 hours).

Re: Is 2 and a half too young to start school program

NOT too young. My son started at Building Blocks at 2. I think the earlier the BETTER!!!!