Autism and Montessori

[Rae Kridel]

My son was attending the IUPUI Center for Young Children from ages 2-4, and was part of a study that Riley neurology was doing on mainstreaming kids on the spectrum into a regular classroom setting, given a little extra support like speech therapy, OT and music therapy. They had four boys in the study and all were videotaped during therapy sessions, which were telecast around the state to help train First Steps providers. We were disappointed in the support that was provided, which wasn't nearly what we were promised when we agreed and signed the paperwork, but because of the study, my son and the other three boys were given a little freedom to abstain from activities if they didn't want to.

When the study ended, my husband and I were basically told to find another place for him, as the CYC just didn't have the resources to provide any extra effort to help him along. Thinking that the CYC was a private program, I didn't question it, even though it broke my heart to remove him, since he LOVED the school and loved his teacher. I've since found out that the CYC is a public institution, as it receives public funding, and as such must comply with ADA requirements and the director, Beth Jeglum, was completely in violation for asking us to leave. I've also since found out that there is a requirement of all school directors to attend ADA inclusion training in the state, and that Beth has not only refused to attend (sending an asst. director in her place) but whenever she is contacted and reminded that she's not yet met the requirement and that another training will be held on such and such a date and time, she's actually been hostile to the person who called her.

So in trying to find a new placement for my son, we did an IEP through the public school system in our area and he's in an afternoon developmental preschool. It's ok, though not terribly challenging for him. But it's only half a day so I needed to find something for the mornings. A friend had told me that her son with Asperger's did really well in a Montessori school so I did my research, found that the Montessori model of student-led inquiry and total freedom to work on what they want, as long as they want, is ideally suited for kids on the spectrum. The idea is that children are natural learners if given the freedom so the classroom is divided into areas like geography and oceans, language, math, spacial, art, sensory and self-help. Children choose a "job" and can work on it as long as they want, then when they're done, they put it back together and put it where they found it so someone else can choose it. Then they pick something else that they find interesting. Eventually, they'll experience everything and learn and grow at their own pace.

I checked in with several schools in town, found room in one that was reluctant to have him there but found another that, despite little experience with kids on the spectrum, decided to give it a try. It's been a couple of months now and it's working out great! He's bored by circle time (who isn't?) but they allow him to sit on a chair outside of the circle, or sit with an instructor, or if he just doesn't want to, he can work on a job. But we're finding out just how very smart he is, figuring out things very fast. The director has actually had to bring in more advanced reading jobs since his reading skills are beyond any other child in the program. She's been so heartened by what she's learned from him that she's been bringing in a consultant to train her about autism and wants to do more training, so she can expand the program to have a parallel room with just kids on the spectrum. It would have the same jobs but offer more sensory accommodation, staff trained in both Montessori and have worked with kids on the spectrum and have a slightly lower teacher/child ratio.

Anyway, if your child is struggling with a regimented school program, consider Montessori. There are three IPS schools in town with Montessori programs within them, and other independent schools that go up to elementary. We'll be moving to Fort Wayne in a couple of years and the director of his program said that they have excellent Montessori schools there, two that go up to middle school and one that is expanding to high school. I'm very excited, as it just suits him so well.

[Erin Edds]

Rae, could you please tell me which one he's at (as well as which one's were not receptive)? Our son was just given a preliminary diagnosis of PDD-NOS, and we are hoping that Montessori might be the answer. But he's not potty trained yet (he's only 27 months). We've heard great things about some, but know that just because a school calls themselves a Montessori school doesn't "necessarily" make them awesome.
Thanks. And any help on local resources would be wonderful. We have him in First Steps doing DT, PT, OT and are in the process of getting him into a developmental ped.
Thanks so much,
Erin

[Rae Kridel]

The Montessori Centres on Westfield Blvd. was very receptive, but had no spaces open. A Children's Habitat, on 73rd, really gave me the run around and took forever to even reply to me. I had to push for an answer, since he was home with me in the mornings, getting very bored, and I was getting farther and farther behind in work.

He's currently attending Center Grove Montessori, just off of 37. The Directress is Indu Agnihotri and she's become very interested in the idea of Montessori and autism. And don't worry about poty training; my son is 4 1/2 and he still isn't; he refuses to let us know when he has to go ahead of time and isn't bothered at all by a wet or soiled pull up. He'll do it when he's ready, like every other thing he's taken on his own schedule.

[Leslie Greenwald (Cannava)]

My son also attended Montessori. I have to say it was the best school experience we had. Our Montessori only go to a certain grade. If we had the option he would still be going.

[Rae Kridel]

Which is why I'm really looking forward to the schools in Fort Wayne. We had his parent/teacher conference today and Indu Agnihotri is really looking forward to being able to add a program just for kids on the spectrum, likely next fall. 544-8508

[Tasha C. Ring]

Hello Rae,

I am happy to see that you've experienced first-hand the benefits of the Montessori philosophy for children with special needs. Please continue to spread the word!