Christine Hernandez
Early childhood educator, writer, and mother. Your friendly neighborhood guide to all things parenting.
At Winnie, we believe all children deserve access to high-quality early education and childcare programs designed to meet them where they are and encourage and support their growth. Every child is different and has unique strengths and challenges, and we recognize that no one term accurately describes every child's experience.
In the context of this article, we will use identity-first and person-first language interchangeably. We know there are people in the autism community that prefer one set of terms over another and we are always trying to learn and grow as an organization.
We welcome feedback from families about how they communicate their child's strengths and challenges, as well as any terms we should be sure to incorporate in our resources moving forward.
How can I find the best daycare for my autistic child?
According to the CDC, about 1 in 54 children in the United States have been diagnosed with autism. Yet, as common as autism is, it can still be difficult for parents to find the support and resources they need for their children.
When it comes to childcare for children with autism, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The phrase "if you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism" is commonly used to reflect the vast spectrum of strengths and challenges that any one person may encounter. Therefore, the amount of support needed to succeed in a daycare or preschool setting varies greatly depending on the individual.
We're breaking down some of the things parents of children with autism should consider when searching for the best daycare or preschool program for their child.
Get support
If your child does not have an official diagnosis of autism yet, but you have concerns about their development, your first step would be to get your child an evaluation.
Your pediatrician can refer you to agencies or providers in your area who can help. The evaluation would look at all the key areas of development — speech, gross and fine motor, cognitive skills, and more. You can request that they administer an the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), a standardized assessment of communication, social interaction play.
You should not need to pay for the evaluation if it is done through your local health department or school district. Once your child is diagnosed, you may find that they may qualify for free preschool programs through your district.
If your child already has therapies in place through an early intervention program or your local school district, the agency you work with should be able to help you find a daycare or preschool program that will meet your family's needs.
Find your tribe
One of the best ways to get a sense of the support available in your area is to find and connect with other autism parents. From larger organizations like The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) to online communities like Winnie, connecting with other families is a great first step. You may also want to ask your pediatrician or any of your child's therapists about local resources or groups that exist in your area.
Look into respite care
If your child is eligible for a Medicaid waiver, they may also be eligible for case management or respite care. Respite care provides families with a specially-trained in-home caregiver for a set amount of hours per week or month, depending on your child's needs, so parents can work, run errands or take time for themselves.
Keep in mind that a respite provider is only legally allowed to care for the child they are assigned to, so if you have multiple children, respite care will not take the place of a babysitter or nanny.
Selecting a daycare
Since no two autistic children have the same support needs, it is important to have a conversation with any providers you're considering to determine whether they'd be a good fit for your child.
A childcare provider is not legally allowed to discriminate against a child due to their disability. Still, you want to be sure that your provider has experience caring for children with autism.
Depending on where you live and the supports you are looking for, you may want to look into daycare providers who specialize in meeting the needs of children with disabilities (sometimes referred to as "special needs daycare") as well as "traditional" daycares. Then you can compare and determine which program would best meet your child's needs.
If your child has support services in place, like speech, occupational therapy, or ABA, the therapist may be able to "push in," see your child while they're at daycare and offer the provider strategies and support.
In-home daycare vs daycare centers
For any child, the decision of whether to go with an in-home daycare versus a larger daycare center depends on where the family feels most comfortable. Here are some factors to consider when trying to decide between centers and in-home childcare options:
- In-home daycares take place in a provider's home, which means it's a smaller environment and there is less chance of things like overhead fluorescent lights that could bother a child with sensory sensitivities.
- Daycare centers may have more resources such as access to an indoor gym or gross motor equipment that can benefit a child who needs to move their body more frequently.
- Tour a few different programs and see how you feel. You know your child best and can trust your gut when it comes to choosing a provider.
You are your child's first teacher and best advocate — no one knows your child better than you. It may take time to find the perfect provider or gather all the support and resources your family needs, but that is where Winnie comes in. From searching for providers in your area to getting your questions answered in real-time from our trusted community of parents, we're here to help.
