Preschool for ASD child

[Anonymous]

Could someone recommend a preschool in N.Potomac area or Upper MoCo area for a 2yr old with ASD. We visited a few preschools/daycare but not really sure if they can handle an ASD child who scratches or runs off..Thanks

[Anonymous]

Is there a public option available? Either that or a nanny. Maybe Easter Seals.

[Anonymous]

The only inclusive preschool for that age I am aware of is st columbas or NCRC and they are in nw dc.

[Anonymous]

Montgomery county has excellent services. They even provide a bus ride for ASD kids.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the responses. I&T is providing home service now but DC wont be able to get to county funded preschool until age 3..we feel that interacting with other children can help with some of the behavioral issues..we could put DC in a regular preschool but just not sure if they will be able to handle a child that runs away..makes me nervous thinking that DC might run out when other parents come to drop children and no one notices till too late..

nw dc is too far for us..where is columbus?

[Anonymous]

Have you looked into any of the synagogue preschools? At least in dc I know they tend to be pretty inclusive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the responses. I&T is providing home service now but DC wont be able to get to county funded preschool until age 3..we feel that interacting with other children can help with some of the behavioral issues..we could put DC in a regular preschool but just not sure if they will be able to handle a child that runs away..makes me nervous thinking that DC might run out when other parents come to drop children and no one notices till too late..

nw dc is too far for us..where is columbus?

St. Columba's is in NW DC. It and NCRC are inclusive but they have their limitations.

If your child has issues with elopement, I doubt a NT preschool would take them, which is reasonable b/c they are probably not equipped to handle a kid who does this.

I would get a nanny and think about doing ST, OT, or play therapy during the week.

[Anonymous]

There are some therapeutic schools closer to Baltimore that will take a two year old:
http://www.baltimoreschild.com/dirsnschool/index.cfm?fuse1=list

[Anonymous]

Try a coop. If you end up having to stay
there with him , it won't be a huge deal

[Anonymous]

The JCC in rockville, beth ami in rockville are both inclusive.

[Anonymous]

Jcc was not friendly at all when I called for my child who is delayed with no behavioral problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try a coop. If you end up having to stay
there with him , it won't be a huge deal

A parent accompanying the child full time would be the equivalent of a shadow or facilitator. Not all schools would accommodate this. I don't think this is something that you shouldn't "end up" finding out.

[Anonymous]

OP, I would focus on setting your kid up for success. Maybe intensive ABA therapy for the scratching and running away. Even a SN preschool would have difficulty managing these behaviors and he' quickly become a pariah at a NT one or likely be kicked out.

[Anonymous]

If you decide to try a preschool I would get a shadow to help with your child . A nt preschool will not be equipped to run after or deal with behavioral challenges. You will want this to be successful for you and your child. I would also look at kts they have a preschool for age 3 but they might take younger. You could also ask your infants and toddler providers if there are any daycare a that can support your child. I would also think about aba to help the child communicate better. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I will find out about Co-Op too..Can a parent be a shadow (assuming that shadow is someone who gives an extra hand to the child at daycare) in preschools or should it be someone else like a nanny?