Autism Preschool in St. Louis: Public, Private and Part-Time ABA Options

Autism preschool at a glance

What is early childhood special education (ECSE)?

ECSE is free public preschool support for 3 to 5 year olds with special needs, such as autism spectrum disorder or developmental delays, written into an IEP. It serves "Preschool-age children who have a disability that meets one of 13 categorical disabilities." Autism is one.

It can happen in "a pre-kindergarten classroom, in the home, or community settings, such as Head Start and preschool," the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) says.

The referral can come from anyone: "Any person who has knowledge of a child and suspects a delay in development can make a referral."

Public preschool for autistic children, by district

St. Peters addresses are split across districts. Check your district's boundary map before you call.

Do preschools accept autistic children?

Public preschool must serve an eligible child through the IEP; private preschools set their own rules. Ask each one how it supports autistic children.

Peers help only with support. Jen Reinehr, Program Psychologist at the Rady Children's Hospital Foundation, wrote that "mere exposure does not improve social and communication skills."

DESE's transition handbook suggests one question for any preschool: "Does the program include children with and without disabilities?"

Private and nonprofit options in St. Louis

• Pattonville integrated preschool: half-day, Monday to Thursday, free to district residents with a $50 registration fee, by lottery.
• Giant Steps of St. Louis: an autism-only therapeutic day school for ages 4 to 21, with IEP-based programs. 314-932-1051.
• St. Louis Arc Pre-K and Kindergarten Readiness: support inside community preschools, birth to age 7. 314-569-2211.

How does part-time ABA fit around preschool?

Many public programs are half-day, which leaves the other half for center ABA. Ferguson-Florissant, for example, teaches 3 year olds in the morning and 4 year olds in the afternoon.

• Hours: both Latitude centers are open 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM on weekdays, with part-time options. Moving to full time depends on space.
• School readiness: children practice reading, tracing, cutting, days and months, talking with peers and group instruction.
• Social skills: group games, circle time, recess and group learning, mostly 1:1 with a registered behavior technician, sometimes 1:2, under a BCBA.
• The goal: clinic children graduate to kindergarten.

When does kindergarten start in Missouri?

A child can start kindergarten if they turn 5 before August 1 of that school year. St. Louis Public Schools may set a later date. District prekindergarten uses the same rule at age 3.

Parents as Teachers, offered through local school districts, gives developmental screenings from pregnancy until kindergarten entry. See center-based ABA for ages 2 to 6.