Maureen -- You definitely have options, but most districts don't give away their services without some effort. Try to see how to get advocacy advice and possibly a free advocate from your state (each state is supposed to have resources to help parents advocate for their children, but it varies what that is). If you can afford it, locate a good private advocate and speak to him or her about how to get what you want implemented. Certainly your son will be able to qualify for a lot of therapy (speech, OT, PT) and educational help through the school district. Most kids still get plenty of ABA through preschool services these days. What I've noticed is that the schools may access their therapists from different services than the EI people do, but that doesn't mean the services can't or won't be delivered. Now is the time to education yourself on what is legally available in your area. Join and autism support group and network with other moms. This won't be a disaster. You may even find that the preschool services are better. It all depends...and a lot of it depends on you and your advocacy skills. Let us know how it goes.
My son will be turning three in November and his IEP is scheduled for Halloween. He is losing all EI, all his ABA therapy and most upsetting of all his OT that he's been getting privately. I could keep ABA but it's no longer paid by insurance because after age 3 it's considered educational not medical. His OT won't be covered by our insurance either and as far as I know the school's OT doesn't provide the treatment we feel is the most effective for him. i.e. craniosacral therapy and the (Tomatis) listening program. Since I can't afford it privately and his therapists and I feel it is been what has brought about the most change, can we insist on it in the IEP anyway? Do I have any options other than paying for it myself?
Thanks in advance,
Maureen