April is Autism Awareness Month. Autism is a huge issue that may affect many daycare providers or those that own childcare centers. In Part 2 of our interview with Michele Adubato, autism spectrum disorder expert and executive deputy director of The North Ward Center in Newark, she provides advice for parents of autistic children who are searching for child care and for daycare providers who care for autistic children.
OwnADaycare: What should parents with autistic children look for in a daycare/ preschool?
Adubato: First and foremost, parents need to know the signs of an autism spectrum disorder and act early when there is any sign of a developmental delay. Observing, taking action and continuing to take action early in their child’s life is key to their future progress. Parents should be encouraged to look at the availability of early intervention services and make sure they are advocating for augmentative services for their child. When a parent looks at a daycare or preschool they should look to programs that focus on a child-centered approach to all decision making. There are preschool handicapped programs that can provide for a myriad of services to the child to ensure success. Depending on the needs of the child they should look at factors that include ongoing assessment tools, speech and language services, occupational and physical therapy (from a certified therapist), and family inclusion in decision making, (i.e. how is the family trained to support the child and how is parent involvement executed? Is the school sensitive to the culture of the family and provided in the native language of the family?).
OwnADaycare: What tips can you offer preschool teachers and daycare providers who care for autistic children?
Adubato: Oftentimes, parents and teachers are caught in the middle of a public system that discourages identifying children with ASD — even when there are clear signs of ASD — due to limited resources. I would encourage them to attend any training or workshops that are offered to learn about children on the autism spectrum.
In addition, I would recommend that teachers and daycare providers involve the family in all levels of decision making for the child. We know that when you have a child with an autism spectrum disorder the whole family is impacted. Resources must be available and accessible to parents, grandparents, siblings and other caregivers. Teachers must teach the entire family when caring for a child with ASD and must integrate school, home, and the community in doing so. Teachers can provide the family with guidance and linkages on current resources from the local community and state system for families impacted by ASD. Teach the entire family to advocate for their child.
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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