Would you place your autistic toddler in a regular daycare?!
Question: Would you place your autistic toddler in a regular daycare!?
I am an in-home daycare provider!. I had an interview this morning with a little boy and his mother!. The interview went great except that at the end, the mother told me that her son is autistic and wanted to know if I was okay with still taking care of him!. It was then that I noticed that he hadn't spoken more than "hi" the entire hour they were there, and he had been lining up all the toys in order of color, and then size, which I know is something that autistic children tend to do (I saw it on Dateline months ago, that's what one of the specialists said)!. I told the mother that I would not feel comfortable with caring for her son, because I have not had any training in autism!. If I were to care for an autistic child, I would want to be trained with how to deal with different behaviors and the best ways to teach and communicate with them, so I could provide them with the best experience I could!. Would you trust your autistic child to someone not trained in caring for disabled children!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
You seem like you really care about the well being of this child and are concerned about how well you would do at providing a nurturing enviroment for a child of that mental state as well so i think as far as trust goes, I would most definately!. Ask the mother of the boy how she feels about the situation and also inquire about his temper, and how he acts around other children, his and as well as older or younger, in general!.
Autistic children all react differently in social settings based on the degree of (in absence of a better word) 'infection'!. If the boy did not become restless immediately after becoming in your or others' presences, and is more focused on aligning the toys, then be sure, if you do care for him, to encourage him to share and socialize, but also be sure to keep the other children from interfering with his 'work'!. Ease him slowly into playing with other children, and first and foremost, talk with him yourself!. Ask him what he is doing, how much fun he is having, if there is anything more he would like, and even begin doing something similar so he feels accepted!.
I hope this helped!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Autistic children all react differently in social settings based on the degree of (in absence of a better word) 'infection'!. If the boy did not become restless immediately after becoming in your or others' presences, and is more focused on aligning the toys, then be sure, if you do care for him, to encourage him to share and socialize, but also be sure to keep the other children from interfering with his 'work'!. Ease him slowly into playing with other children, and first and foremost, talk with him yourself!. Ask him what he is doing, how much fun he is having, if there is anything more he would like, and even begin doing something similar so he feels accepted!.
I hope this helped!Www@Answer-Health@Com
You were very smart to admit this to the child's parents!. If something ever happened to the child you would never forgive yourself!. I'm totally shocked that the mother even considered you without training with autistic children!. No, I would never place an autistic toddler in a regular daycare, I would rather have him/her with people familiar with and trained in his/her care!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
My 6 year old son has a form of autism called Asperger's Syndrome, he goes to main stream school, there has been a few hiccups but he's fine!. I wouldn't dream of not giving him the same opportunities as my other children, he has a support worker who is in class with him giving him one to one support!.and is very happy!.
Also Autism IS NOT A DISABILITYWww@Answer-Health@Com
Also Autism IS NOT A DISABILITYWww@Answer-Health@Com
You did the right thing!. She might of not had any other choice but to try to put him into regular daycare!. An autistic child needs lots of one on one time with therapy!.
A toddler and school aged child is different!. Yes school aged children should be in regular classrooms but a toddler needs therapy such as occupational!. speech and physical everyday and that can not be done in a daycare!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
A toddler and school aged child is different!. Yes school aged children should be in regular classrooms but a toddler needs therapy such as occupational!. speech and physical everyday and that can not be done in a daycare!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
In England,where i am, the authorities would not allow untrained personnel to care for Autistic children, we have to be highly trained in all aspects of care where infants are concerned anyway lol!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I am also surprised how parents put those animals(autistic toddler) to the same school with normal kids!. What are they thinking!?!Www@Answer-Health@Com
no he should be in a early on child learning program!. My daughter has autism and that's how we started!. They even have them for babies!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
absolutely notWww@Answer-Health@Com
My answer is "No"!. This parent sounds like they've got a combination of things: possible denial and complete understanding of what he has and what kind of care he needs!. Or they could be just completely overwhelmed with this child and figure the "something is better than nothing"!. They might be strapped for $ that it might cost to have specialized childcare!. I think that it is very good (etihically) and professionally of what you did to decline the offer!. It might come down to a "liability issue" for you and a safety issue for the other children you care for!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
My nephew is Autistic, and spent his early toddler years in a regular daycare!. It really depends on the severity of the autism!. Because of the broad spectrum of autistic disorders, some kids would do well, some would not!. I also teach at a preschool, and more than once I have referred a student to a specialized facility for evaluation because of autistic tendencies!. It is a hard thing to do; but it has always been for the best!. It sounds like you have the best interest of the child at heart, so good job!Www@Answer-Health@Com
I wouldn't, no!. Especially with a toddler, because early intervention intensive programs have been shown to really help young autistic children move more towards "normalcy"!. I would not want my 2-4 year old in a daycare where they would not get all the possible help and specific care they would need in order to lessen the effects of their autism!. There's a critical period; if the child does not get the intensive intervention early enough, it doesn't help nearly as much!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Kudos to you for your honesty!. Nope, if I had an autistic child, he would not be in a regular day care situation - unless it was one on one (well another kid would be ok too if the provider could handle it), and the person knew my child, and how to handle him!. I'm very surprised with the mother's handling of the situation - but it's probably what's in her budget!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Autistic children need to be in regular placements or they will never be able to enter society themselves!.
I think you need to give the child a chance, why don't you allow him to make this decision if you are so indecisive, early placements like this could help him live a more productive life!.
From what it sounds he is high-functioning, the aligning of toys by size and color is a sign of intelligence, he may be ahead of the other children in some areas, behind in others, unless if he failed in another setting like this before, then his illness may be of a degree that you cannot handle!.
EDIT: Reading all of your posts has made me sick, yes we have discovered the cure to Autism, to sequester them from society, what is wrong with this generation!
Yes, placing your daughter in specialized care is really going to help her become a stronger person, these type of facilities didn't exist 40 years ago, and look at what became of them! These kids are being spoon fed like toddlers until they are 14, then you wonder why they are 25 years old living in their mothers basement eating cheese puffs!.
RegardsWww@Answer-Health@Com
I think you need to give the child a chance, why don't you allow him to make this decision if you are so indecisive, early placements like this could help him live a more productive life!.
From what it sounds he is high-functioning, the aligning of toys by size and color is a sign of intelligence, he may be ahead of the other children in some areas, behind in others, unless if he failed in another setting like this before, then his illness may be of a degree that you cannot handle!.
EDIT: Reading all of your posts has made me sick, yes we have discovered the cure to Autism, to sequester them from society, what is wrong with this generation!
Yes, placing your daughter in specialized care is really going to help her become a stronger person, these type of facilities didn't exist 40 years ago, and look at what became of them! These kids are being spoon fed like toddlers until they are 14, then you wonder why they are 25 years old living in their mothers basement eating cheese puffs!.
RegardsWww@Answer-Health@Com