We may be looking at SFUSD preschools for our 4-year old, so we'd also be interested in experience with Kindergarten and elementary schools with inclusion programs in SFUSD (or if you think there are good private preschools/elementary schools, let us know those too)

Hi, we are moving to Chicago this summer and searching for a neighborhood with a good elementary school around. My son has moderate autism and has been thriving since he started ABA and special education at 3. Based on my research so far, it seems that we should not expect the same level of educational services from Chicago Public Schools as what we have now here in Boston. But I would love to know if any of you have had some positive experience with CPS concerning your child's special… read more

Our 4 year old son with HFA 1 is supposed to be potty training but he spends every second of every session asking for the lights to be turned off and on and off and on and off and on and commenting as to whether the bathroom exhaust fan is on or off. When near switches, he will flip them off and on repeatedly, stimming in between, for half an hour sometimes and during this time we cannot get his attention for anything. Almost two months of potty training has produced no progress. We are… read more

Our son is 3, Dx with PDD. This year he is going to a regular preschool with his therapists pushing into the classroom. He is progressing but the school district is suggesting I look into integrated preshools for him. I have not been impressed by the ones I have interviewed so far.

Hi Everyone, My son is turning 3, and is diagnosed mild autism, high functioning. His testing at the public school he will be attending in September said he is overall on the average range. However, they are suggesting only 60 mins inclusion time a day, with the other 5 hours being in self contained. I was surprised by this, and want to ask for more...but I am not sure if I am right in doing so. Any feelings on self contained vs inclusion? What worked for your kids? Thanks!!!

We are thinking about starting my son Gian on Focalin . Any one on this medicine? can you please share your experience with it?

Please let me know. Trying very hard to stay off pills

Hi. our almost 5 years old is still struggling with potty training. No progress over the past 12 months, 5-6 accidents per day. We are really struggling and it is preventing him from going to pre-school, which he needs for his development (and our sanity). He can handle pee but he has absolutely zero idea for #2. We are not getting any help whatsoever from the pediatrician, OT etc. The traditional techniques don't work at all. He screams and fight back when we ask him to go on the potty, even… read more

We are still trying to make a decision as to whether we should send our son to a private preschool or to the special needs preschool in our district. Has anyone tried any other alternatives for preschool or tried a co-op preschool?
Does anyone have any recommendations of private preschools in the Los Angeles/ Pasadena area that cater to special needs kidos?

We took a week long vacation and oldest would not go on the potty the entire time. He wasn’t proficient before we left but he would have dry diapers often and pee almost immediately when we would put him on the potty every 1-2hrs. I expected him to regress on vacation, it tends to trigger a lot of things with him. (More stimming/sensory seeking, sleeplessness, eats less and is more picky, etc.) but we’ve been home for awhile now and he still won’t go on the potty. He intentionally holds it and… read more