can anyone recommend a structured preschool for 3 year old with HFA?

[Anonymous]

My 2.5 year old son hasn't received any formal diagnosis, but is showing some red-flags for an ASD, most probably a HFA or Aspergers. He's currently being evaluated by Infants and Toddlers in MOCO, and according to their evaluations he's scoring age-appropriate in language and cognition, but delayed in motor and social skills. We were thinking of sending him to PEP Pilot, but have been told that he cannot attend this program due to his motor delays since they wouldn't pull him out of a 2.5 hour and 2 day/week class for PT or OT. So we're told that the only other MCPS option is PEP Classic. I'm concerned that this environment is too restrictive for him since his delays are exclusively social and motor. Does anyone have any experience with this? He's a very mild-tempered child, has some rigidity with his routines but transitions well, loves praise and encouragement, enjoys and excels in "academics," follows directions pretty well, but needs LOTS of help and facilitating to interact with peers. I'm not sure he's doing that much parallel play to be honest. He has muscle tone issues, poor coordination and falls much more than children his age.

If PEP Classic is too restrictive for him, we are considering opting for Extended Part C and enrolling him in a private, typical preschool with Infants and Toddlers offering therapies in his preschool and/or at home. The current preschool he attends is WONDERFUL, but they only offer a 2 day/week program for three year olds, which just isn't enough. Can anyone recommend a 5 day/week preschool which is both structured and nurturing?

[Anonymous]

In NW DC, I would suggest St. Columba's and NCRC. Both schools have an inclusion program and extremely nurturing.

[Anonymous]

Maddux

Katherine Thomas School

[Anonymous]

Geneva

[Anonymous]

Children's Learning Center in Rockville. You can go visit and observe, they have an open-door policy. It's a Jewish school but you don't have to be Jewish to attend, many of the children are not. They are very accommodating and inclusive of children with special needs,, class sizes are small and the space is large and open (building used to be an elementary school). Definitely worth taking a look.

[Anonymous]

I have heard good things about St. Columba's and NCRC, but be careful with mainstream schools that claim to be inclusive but don't really know what to do with SN kids. My DS sounds a lot like yours and we sent him to a preschool that promised to be inclusive but they mishandled everything. If you go the mainstream route try to talk with parents of similar kids who have attended the school.