My SPD 3 year old starts preschool tomorrow

[rivendellmom]

My 3 yo son has Sensory Processing Issues, Speech Delay, and is possibly on the autism spectrum as well. We are going through the school district for therapy and they run a special needs inclusive preschool program. He is excited about going, but only if I stay. He's already told me that if I leave him- he'll walk home. Besides warning his teacher that she should make sure the door is locked- does anyone have any advice for me?
My older kids went to preschool but they had no special needs or separation issues. I waffled back and forth about just taking him for therapy vs. preschool, but he's to get 90 minutes of speech and 90 minutes ot per week, they can't be done back to back. So I'd be doing nothing but driving him over there. The preschool is nice- 3 teachers to 4 kids in his room with a cap of 10 kids.
So anyway, I know he'll cry, but has anyone BTDT?

[hsmamainva]

My youngest daughter has autism, as well as sensory processing issues and a severe speech delay.

She attended the special education preschool in our county for 2 years. The first year, she was 3 1/2 to 4 1/2, and the second year, she was 4 1/2 to 5 1/2.

It was a wonderful experience!!! Now...it didn't start off so good! It was an entirely new experience for her and she cried for several months at first. But she soon warmed up to the routine. The second year was even better than the first year. (We ran into her teacher in Wal-Mart last week and my daughter still remembered her and ran up to hug her! It was so sweet!)

At least, in my daughter's school, the classes were small and there were two adults with the children at all times (a teacher and an aide).

My daughter also received speech and occupational therapy.

If I could have kept her in that school, she'd still be there!! It was that good! (Our experience with Kindergarten was horrid and I ended up taking my daughter out before the school year even ended, and she's homeschooling again this year for 1st grade).

Keep us updated!

[Ottakee]

Try not to worry---hard I know as a mom.

The teachers are very used to kids like this and plan for the transitions when mom leaves. My girls went to PPI (special needs preschool here) for a semester each and LOVED it. They still talk about the bus rides, etc. It can be hard to let them go but I bet he will enjoy it once he gets into the routine---which might take a few weeks.

If things get really bad you could try this trick. Go with him and then excuse yourself ("Mommy has to go to the bathroom, I will be right back") and then leave for about 5 minutes and come back. Then a bit later leave for 10 minutes and come back, etc.

Generally though, the kids settle right down when mom is out of sight and enjoy themselves and only turn the tears back on when mom comes back.

[rivendellmom]

Well the open house was yesterday and it went well. He freaked out a bit on arrival due to the crowd I think. But, once we were in the room he eventually got comfortable. I even went into the hall alone for a few minutes. He says he wants to go back-with me.
Hopefully he won't be too bad when I leave today. I am going to try staying a little while and then slowly leaving.

Jen

[chiguirre]

Would it be possible for him to ride the bus? That was a huge motivator for my ds to go to sn pre-k. He was so excited about getting on the bus that we didn't have many separation issues. They have an aide on the bus and rarely more than 3 children at a time, each in a carseat, so it is pretty safe.