(dailyRx News) Preschool for kids with autism spectrum disorders
(ASD) can be separate or integrated with other kids. But how do
you choose which is best for your child? A recent study looked
at programs for preschool kids with ASD. They looked at ones
made up of only kids with ASD, kids with ASD and other
disabilities, or kids with ASD and typically developing kids.
They found that some kids showed bigger gains in mental skills
when they learned alongside typically developing peers.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, led by Allison
Nahmias, MA and PhD candidate, enrolled 98 kids with ASD. The
kids were tested for mental ability, development and language
skills when they were about age 3. The kids were about to enter
an early intervention preschool program for ASD. Kids started in
an inclusive classroom, a mixed program, or an ASD only program.
Inclusive programs had kids with ASD alongside typically
developing peers. Mixed programs had kids with ASD and kids with
other developmental disabilities.