Clarifying the New CMS Changes... and Responding to an Insightful Post

To tdb:

I would be exciting if CMS offered a logistically feasible ABA program in this "normal" sized classroom. Although I am finding study after study that say smaller classrooms are more beneficial. Maybe a limit of 12?

What we have been offered is 1 certified teacher, most, to my understanding, without experience in teaching kids on the autism spectrum, with one another assistant. The assistant, to my understanding, would not be trained. These two individuals would oversee classes of 15 - 18.

Bright Beginnings is a literacy-based program (is this good for my language-delayed son?) designed for socio-economically disadvantaged kids. That's a great program, but the curriculum does not match the needs of my child right now. That "typical" classroom will contain kids with behavior issues, English as a second language kids, and up to three kids requiring IEP's. I'm not sure I can qualify that as typical. Even so, I feel that there is far too little staffing in these classrooms to provide effective instruction.

EC children will be assigned to one of 22 classrooms, but I am told they are expanding that to 35. I understand there will be 5 floating, trained teachers who will help deal with issues. I don't feel that 5 floating teachers between 35 schools spread across the city is enough to effective deal with the problems which are bound to occur.

If CMS staffed each of these classrooms with a trained teacher to assist in the methodologies such as ABA - working wonders with my son - then I would feel better about it. Right now, we are told to just "try it" and deal with problems later. How long will resolving those issues take? Months of precious time, I expect.

I will contact the two individuals you mentioned, however. I am always open to possible solutions. I know there is one out there. My husband and I are less concerned, at least right now, with Alec's "fitting in", than in his learning. This is an important year and we feel that his ability to learn and progress is critical. We don't want to waste time while the problems are ironed out. We won't get his fourth year back.

I welcome responses to this post! I know I don't have all of the answers...but I am trying to find the best answer for my son.