WWYD? Question About Autistism

[Nickel]

I have my ad out there and a lady contacted me and asked if I accept Autistic children. I have zero experience with this. I have seen children that are autistic but that is about it. I know that children are based on spectrums, but I am not sure I am comfortable with taking on a child I know nothing about...

Do you all accept Autistic children? Do you have training in dealing with their unique issues? Would it be wrong of me to ask where her child falls on the spectrum?

[countrymom]

I would ask exactly whats wrong. Some kids have mild form and some have lots. I think it all depends on each child. I would ask more questions and maybe do an interview.

[juliebug]

I would with out hesitation ask and get all information about the child before i said one way or the other. there is such a wide spectrum

[Heidi]

I would with out hesitation ask and get all information about the child before i said one way or the other. there is such a wide spectrum

Same here....

I had a little girl years ago who was severly autistic and blind. I had ZERO experience with it, and yet we managed just fine.

I think it's a learning opportunity for you. This could be an AWESOME dc family, because finding care for a child with special needs can be a huge challenge, and it's an opportunity to form a real partnership with them. So, the answer would be something like "I don't have experience with this, but I am willing to learn. Teach me what you know. I promise to be honest with you, and if I don't feel like I am giving dcb the care he needs, I will tell you".


That is, if you're interested in learning about it. Honestly, if you are in an area where it's hard to find clients, you could actually develop a niche' if you are good at this and you enjoy the challenge.

[Nickel]

Thank you for the advice,

I sent her a message and asked for more information. So we shall see what she says. I know we do weekly field trips and our schedule is fairly flexible, so depending on where he or she is on the spectrum my program may or may not be a good fit.

[Childminder]

I do have experience with autistic children and do not want another one. I just termed one I had after 3 years. They do and always from my experience demand a lot of extra attention that I am no longer willing to take away from my other children.

I would suggest a trial period, 2-4 weeks perhaps, to see how they fit in your program. Also be honest with her and tell her you have zero experience with autistic children and that you are uncertain. She will probably go elsewhere.

[Lilbutterflie]

You have to be careful with this. You can't discriminate against a disability and say you do not accept children with autism, or any other disability. But we CAN say yes or no based on whether you believe a child is the right fit for your program. The autism spectrum varies so greatly that the child might be a great fit for your program, or might be a terrible fit.

[Nickel]

Thank you ladies, very much!!!

I sent her back and told her I could not say if I would be able to care for him without more information. I did let her know that we do take field trips often to the library, art museum, etc (they both have programs for kids like story time and art time, etc) as I know some autistic children have difficulty if their routines change or if they are in areas with a lot of stimulization.

She wrote me back that thanking me and letting me know it probably would not be a good fit for him if I am going to those places.

I think it was nice that she was honest and didn't try to hustle me into taking her child. I know it is very hard to get specialized care in my area, so I do wish her the best of luck.

Thank you all for sharing your experiences

[daycarediva]

I have an autistic child and depending on the severity, I do not think an autistic child will do great/be a good fit in group care. That is one of the main reasons my daycare was started. Moderate-severe asd kids need a 1:1 helper, even in upper grades of school. I have a child in my care who has aspergers and he is 6. He does exceptional in my care because I don't make demands of him. If he wants to wear his snowpants ALL DAY LONG? fine. If he wants to spend an entire day attempting to draw a perfect circle? fine. I always ASK if he would like to join us, but it has never happened, in 3 years. He still parallel plays. Honestly, he gives me the least amount of grief because there are no play issues, etc.

That being said, I WOULD interview, I would ask questions. I would NOT say that you aren't accepting because of the disability if you chose not to. Carefully worded about how you aren't absolutely sure you could meet the child's needs.

[canadiancare]

I usually recommend that parents who contact me about children with special needs look into center based care where a resource teacher is provided. I worked in a kindergarten class for children who couldn't be in the regular school system and our ratio was 3 to 8. I would never consider bringing someone in who had major challenges since I am on my own with 5 kids.

[familyschoolcare]

You have to be careful with this. You can't discriminate against a disability and say you do not accept children with autism, or any other disability. But we CAN say yes or no based on whether you believe a child is the right fit for your program. The autism spectrum varies so greatly that the child might be a great fit for your program, or might be a terrible fit.

You can so say you don't take certain disabilities, if you are not equipment or trained to do so. What you can not do is take a child that doesn't have a disability but needs xyz abominations and then not take the child with a disability whose only accommodation is xyz. No body can make you take a child you are not equipped or trained to take care of.

[Sunchimes]

...but needs xyz abominations

:: :: ::

I'm guessing something auto-completed for you and you meant adaptations?

I'm learning to read auto-complete. It's like a whole new language. ::

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I attempted to accept a child who was higher up on spectrum and it ended poorly.

I also had 1 with Asperger's (like me!) and we were JUST FINE. We were actually perfect. He was my only child that never got into trouble, ever. We "got" each other.

I have 1 with mild Autism and he works well here.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Thank you for the advice,

I sent her a message and asked for more information. So we shall see what she says. I know we do weekly field trips and our schedule is fairly flexible, so depending on where he or she is on the spectrum my program may or may not be a good fit.

It is very likely that he wouldn't be due to the field trips. I can't IMAGINE if he had a meltdown on you in a very public place where he is likely to get extremely overstimulated.

[familyschoolcare]

:: :: ::

I'm guessing something auto-completed for you and you meant adaptations?

I'm learning to read auto-complete. It's like a whole new language. ::

Yes, exactly