How Do I Know if I Chose the Right Program for my PDD-NOS Son?

Hi All, I'm a bit lost on where to find guidance with this...

My son is diagnosed with PDD-NOS and we just transitioned him to CPSE and chose DDI. He has been there for a month now (6:1:3.5 class) and previously he was with EI for 8 months receiving ABA 15 hrs a week. Now I've been wondering if we made the right decision and chose the right program. DDI's model is that he consults with his speech, PT, OT once a month, and rely on the teachers to work with him daily. We also looked into Building Blocks, and they mentioned their model is that he gets pulled out and works with the Therapists directly. We chose DDI as it seemed like a good fit (although BB seemed great as well but farther from home).

I am starting to question if the program DDI has him in is the right fit. His EI therapists felt he is high functioning (knows his numbers, colors, follows simple directions, learns quick etc) but lacks speech and focus (his DDI teacher agreed). He knows a lot of words but has difficulty making a sentence, unless we prompt him and he rarely asks questions. My pediatrician recently suggested the speech part is not enough for him at DDI since he is not working directly one on one with one and to go private. Upon consulting a private speech therapist on the phone, she also felt DDI's model may not be great fit being that he doesn't get to work directly with the therapist. Our EI therapists also mentioned before we transitioned to make sure he is not be the highest functioning child in the class (in which he is), because he needs role models and the social interaction.

Now I am wondering if Building Blocks may have been a better option, or if DDI is not giving the right program, what do I do? I'm sure the teachers are all great... but would it be insulting if I mentioned it would be more appropriate to work with the therapist one on one more frequently (that is if DDI will even allow it).

Anyways, if anyone has any personal experience, advice or suggestion please let me know. Thanks!!

Re: How Do I Know if I Chose the Right Program for my PDD-NOS Son?

I wish I had a concrete answer for you. I don't necessarily think the consult service is a BAD thing. But you have to be sure that the recommendations that the therapists are making are actually being carried out into the classroom. We've always had 1:1 therapies, and now that we're transitioning into Kindergarten, I'm finding that a lot of places do the consult service. I don't necessarily think it is imperative that a licensed therapist be the one to see him 3x/week, especially if he is able to make words; but they do need to be the ones to determine what work needs to be done, how it needs to be done, and to instruct the teachers/aides in the classroom who will be working with him day to day on exactly what is to be done and how. It is sort of helpful to have the service on a consult basis, because as long as there is the right carryover into the classroom, the exercises can be being done all day, every day rather than for an isolated 30 minutes 3x/week.

Re: How Do I Know if I Chose the Right Program for my PDD-NOS Son?

Consult is great for kids who need that level of service. for kids who need direct services, a consult model will not be enough. Teachers do not have the same training as specialists (OT, PT, ST...). If your child has delays in developmental areas and requires services such as OT, PT, ST in order to address those needs, a consult model will not be sufficient. Most children who qualify for services are good candidates for therapy. Some are not. I've worked with students who we so low functioning or behaviorally involved that they really weren't gaining anything from a direct service. In that case a consult model would be appropriate. A consult service is also appropriate when they are doing well in therapy and no longer need a direct service model to be functional. The therapist consults with teaching staff on how to implement strategies in the classroom to promote success and generalize skills across settings.