Typical preschool with aid ? | Autism PDD

We are preparing for the fall. My son is currently doing a home ABA program, floortime and speech. This fall he will attend a typical preschool and we are sending one of our ABA therapists to go with him?

My question for those of you have done this, what were their responsibilities? How did it work--the relationship between the staff and the therapist? Our goal is to fade the therapist out when he is ready.

My thoughts are that the therapist would help him follow directions, stay on task and prompt and help him to initiate social interactions. He still requires prompting to pull his pants up all they way after the potty and washing his hands, etc. I really don't even know what is truly expected of a typical 3 1/2 year old.

Anyone tried this situation out? How did it work for you?

We did this in a kinderkids program with our ABA therapists..they were to only involve themselves if necessary in all you had written...and then faded themselves out. I did it for the first year and then partial the next ..she did great without them then:) Good luck!WE did this at a typical preschool and then Pre-k now. They were his ABA
therapists. In the beginning this is what they helped hime with.
assist in the comprehension of task directions
redirect him to task when he wad non complient, distracted
maintain clear and firm limits and managing behavior
support him as he expressed his ideas
guide him through transistions
facilitate social interactions through modeling and coaching

They pretty much step away and do not have to redirect him anymore.
WE are using the therapist for tracking data on social interactions and
language to see what else we need to add to his home programs.

Did your therapists stay the entire time and sit with your child? How was the relationship between the teachers and the therapists.

My son sat in on the class and they felt the a therapist wasn't neccesary due to his good behavior and ability to follow directions. (I do, however.) I was more concerned that he get more out of the class. He zones out and wanders off a lot and I don't know if the regular teachers would prompt him enough. And, I want him to have more help with social interactions. I'm just not sure how involved to have the therapist be in the beginging. Is it difficult to fade them out?

We planned a meeting with the BCBA and the Director of the School
before we began. I had to find a new preschool to send my son to
because the school I sent my two eldest to does not accept shadows.
Remember at all times that the teacher is the one who should be
engaging your child. A shadow should step in when your child is not
engaged or missing oppurtunities. We have couple of programs that we
run at school. and we take data on the following.
1. non compliance/aggression (my son is not aggresive at all )
2.turn taking with peers
3.mimetic three steps (classroom assigned task)
4.joint attention with peers
5.getting attention w/peers (tapping on shoulder using their name)
6. getting attention (raising hand)
7.response to name tech/teacher/peers
8.follow multiple step instructions given by peers
9.tracking classroom teacher
10. answering group directed questions
11. mimetic 3-step (play format)
12. questions and statements

We also have a format for work stations and changes that go with that as
well. Right now my son goes to preK program so there are more demands
placed upon him. Prompts are used rarely so it is not an issue for us. As
for fading out the therapist? A good therapist should only step in with the
child if he or she needs it. Otherwise our terapist works with all the kids
to help the teacher like a teachers aide.

Thanks Kathy. That was very helpful. I am worried about the therapist trying to do too much and then making it more difficult to fade out. I'm just trying to gather information now that we know which therapist is going with him. I think we are going to meet witht he director soon. Those goals that you track look great and pretty in line with what we will be doing.

Thanks.