List of Questions to Ask Teachers Everyone is telling me to visit preschool and kindergarten programs for my sons and interview the teachers to see who will work best with them.  Anyone have a list of questions I should be asking?   Hmm. I'm thinking the questions won't matter so much as the connection you will either feel or not feel with the teacher. You know how some people come across as smiley but fake? Or a little arrogant? I would look around the classroom and see if it looks well-organized, warm/inviting, etc. I would bring Kyler along, and watch his reactions, too, of course. I wouldn't want to put the teacher on guard, like you are interviewing her... I'd just smile and explain that you are looking at different schools to see which might be the best fit for Kyler. Then you might ask... How many students are normally in the class? Does she have an aide, use parent-volunteers? What is expected of the children?   Tell her about Kyler, and ask her how she thinks he might do. More questions... is there snack, naptime? Are there encouraged times to use the bathroom, or do the kids just go whenever? What are the school/ classroom rules, and what are the consequences for "bad/good" behaviors? Sorry, let me clarify more: The people who suggested I "interview" the teachers said I should ask questions like "have you ever worked with autistic children before", "What experience do you have with ASDs" or "If my son were having a tantrum because he didn't want to stop coloring and move onto the next activity, how would you handle that".  Questions like that to see how familiar they are with his particular disability. I will be visiting mainstream kindergarten teachers, special ed teachers, the BOCES teachers and also some non-ABA preschool programs. kk&shay, is Kyler not in a EI preschool? I know in my state that at age 3, the children are placed in a ESE preschool class until they are ready to transition to upper levels with aides, etc. That might be your outlet. Check with your public school's ESE coordinators (contact your local school) and see what they say about placement. Good luck! Since you mention BOCES, I gather that you are in New York (this is a NY program...other states don't have this system).  Are you looking for your 4.5yo or your 2.5yo?  If it's for the younger one, where was the older one in preschool?  Did you not like that placement?  If you are looking into getting your child ABA, only certain schools do that intensely.  Most programs incorporate some ABA, but only autism preschools do that intensely.  I would contact Parent to Parent. This is an organization supported by NYS that has tons of info and will give you some leads.  Also, there are 4 regional autism centers in New York State.  Parent to Parent ought to be able to put you in touch with one. On Long Island, the regional center is administered through DDI (Developmental Disabilities Institute) which is a privately run autism school (actually several schools) that is publically funded.  In our area, they are the experts in autism.  There is one in your area that you can be in touch with for info.  Going to the classrooms and observing will probably tell you far more than asking questions.  Someone can TELL you anything. What you SEE will tell you far more.  Probably, most of your questions should be based on your visit. Perhaps you can interview the teacher at some other time, after your visit.  I would find out if the class is mostly kids on the spectrum.  If toileting is an issue, ask how that's handled.  Ask questions specific to your child's particular needs.  For example, if he has feeding issues, ask about that. Ask about the daily routine. Ask about classroom rules and behavior intervention plans. See the classroom schedule/routine.  If language is an issues, see what methods they use to support language -- PECs?  Sign?  How is social interaction supported? Do the kids get a sensory diet in their play?  Try to interview the therapists, too.  I completely agree with Sleuth -- get a "gut" feel for the teacher, the class dynamics, how your child "fits" into that class.  Has your so gotten EI?  If so, ask his therapists their take on that school.  Perhaps you know some of the kids that will be in the class.  See if you can speak to their parents. When my son entered preschool 13 years ago, the social worker who took me on the tour asked if I wanted one of the parents of a child currently in the school to call me.  Ask if you can be put in touch with a parent of a child similar to yours or a parent of a child in the class your son will be going into.  Good luck with this.  I think you'll be very happy once your son is properly placed.  Thanks so much for your replies. My 4.5 year old was just recently identified as being developmentally delayed and so he is not in preschool (only a home daycare).  We are being encouraged to enter him in kindergarten this fall. My 2.5 year old is in EI and will be entering preschool in September. Tzoya, yes we are in NYS.  I will contact Parent to Parent.  Thanks for all the suggestions.  I appreciate it!
	Copyright Autism-PDD.net