Autism is a huge issue that may affect many daycare providers or those that own childcare centers. Michele Adubato, autism spectrum disorder expert and executive deputy director of The North Ward Center in Newark, describes autism spectrum disorder and illuminates special services for autistic children. In addition, Adubato also provides advice for parents of autistic children who are searching for child care and for daycare providers who care for autistic children.
OwnADaycare: What is Autism?
Adubato: Autism is a neurologically-based developmental disability characterized by atypical, repetitive behaviors and deficits in social and communications skills. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects one in 150 children nationwide, with two new government studies indicating the prevalence is closer to 1 in 91 nationwide. Autism can be diagnosed during the first three years of life and is four to five times more prevalent in boys than in girls. Autism knows no racial, ethnic or social boundaries. Modern research suggests that autism is a genetic disorder. Asperger’s disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) are disorders related to autism.
OwnADaycare: How and when is it diagnosed?
Adubato: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is traditionally diagnosed by a developmental pediatrician and can be diagnosed as early as 12 months of age. Pediatricians should do a developmental screening for the child at ages 9, 18, and 24 months. If a child is exhibiting some type of developmental delay they should seek an evaluation from a developmental pediatrician. Diagnosis is based on behavioral testing and observation by a trained clinician. To diagnose a child, a healthcare professional will use a general developmental and autism-specific screening tool and direct observation. A comprehensive evaluation of the child is necessary before any early intervention program or preschool program begins. Evaluation should always include a parent interview. It is critical for families to detect autism as early as possible to achieve the most benefit program of early intervention.
OwnADaycare: Are there special programs/ schools for autistic children and if so how are they different from “regular” programs?
Adubato: I’m assuming that when you say “regular” programs you are referring to “traditional” school programs. In that case, children with an autism spectrum disorder have very specialized, intensive needs, and although they can be educated in a traditional public school program, it would be very difficult to give the student the attention and services they critically need at the most critical time in their life.
OwnADaycare: Most autistic children go to schools for children with special needs or can they attend a “normal” day care or preschool?
Adubato: It’s very important that the word child comes before the word autism so we remember that we are describing children first and their autism second. I believe it’s just as important to not determine how to define the term “normal.”
As someone who leads a non-profit that has over 600 preschool Abbott students, I can personally tell you that it is very difficult for a child on the autism spectrum to get the attention they need. Early Intervention Programs that can provide specific services to a child experiencing a developmental delay such as ASD are available up till the age of 3. If early intervention is done properly, it can greatly benefit a child throughout their lifespan. After they have reached age 3 a child can then enter into pre-school.
Families should know that they have the right to an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) that structures early intervention services. And when the child enters preschool at age 3 they are then entitled to an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
Michele Adubato is an expert in autism spectrum disorder. She has worked with children with autism for nearly two decades at New Jersey Regional Day School in Newark, N.J., as teacher, social worker and administrator. She holds two masters degrees, one in social work from Rutgers University-Newark and another in Educational Administration from Caldwell College. She is currently the executive deputy director of The North Ward Center in Newark, where one of her responsibilities is overseeing a preschool with 680 children. She is also spearheading the center’s effort to build The Center for Autism, a first-of-its kind facility in New Jersey for people with ASD that will include early intervention, a school and transition and adult services.
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