Mercy Children’s Hospital wants to pull kids into the classroom, not take them out of it. The St. John’s Autism Preschool focuses on that all-important childhood activity: play. Curriculum director and teacher Christine Russo says the school is different from other daycares. She, along with an occupational therapist and a speech pathologist, focuses on both one-on-one time and social interaction.
Finger puppets, songs, and stories encourage play. Russo says she works with children in each social situation, rather them pulling them aside for solitary treatment. If she notices someone who needs help with speech or a behavioral issue, the group will brainstorm a solution.
The goal is for students to advance to a regular kindergarten class, but those who graduate from the classroom may seek more specialized education.
“Their cognitive development isn’t below other children,” Russo says. “It’s just about getting it to come out in the right environment.”
Autism is a developmental spectrum disorder, which means everyone who is diagnosed faces different challenges in communicating and socializing. Some children show signs of autism by 18 months, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but many don’t receive treatment until much later. Early intervention programs, like the one at St. John’s Mercy, address social skills from the start.
“Children who have autism don’t usually interact with other children,” Russo says. “We guide them into other activities that get them involved.”
With only five students in the classroom, each child receives individual attention. The kids also play with others in Mercy’s employee daycare. Russo says the class, which meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, is looking to expand to a Tuesday and Thursday session.
For more information, call 314-251-6060, or visit stjohnsmercy.org.
