Amount of structured time in a preschool session for child with ASD?

[notfromaroundhere]

DS1(4.3 dx ASD)'s SALT came to observe him in preschool on Monday. Previously DS1 had a choice board and would pick the activities he wanted to do in the freeplay time. SALT has said that he mustn't have the choice and Preschool are to set it up as a visual timetable of what he is to do and he must do the activities set out in that order.

Now I totally agree he shouldn't have all the choice as he is massively on his own agenda, but nor do I think him having no opportunities for choosing is appropriate either. I think a combination of the 2 would be best, so he has to follow adult-led activities but also gets the chance to play with his peers spontaneously and so that he stays motivated enough to want to go and not to become passive and sad like he was a year or so ago.

How structured is your DC time at preschool/school and does it work well?

DS1's SALT won't be available til next week so I have some time to mull it over.

TIA

DD1 has 1:1 at preschool, and her 1:1 tries to 'focus' her. So she can choose what to do, but if she is wandering about, her 1:1 might say "look around - what can you see? What would you like to do next?". Having said that, she will very rarely do anything like puzzles, etc. Always messy play.

Thanks for your replies

DS1's SALT rang me back this afternoon (though he office had said she wouldn't be in til Monday) and we talked it through.

It seems Preschool have been a bit literal as she was only suggesting having 3 activities on the time-table and the SALT perhaps wasn't that clear.

SALT agreed that a combination of a choice board and a visual timetable would be the best plan so is going to put that in her report. I'm going to take DS1's timetimer for him to use on the activities which should help with his reluctance.

SALT also said DS1 is becoming too reliant on his 1:1 and missing opportunities to play with the other children. Preschool have said he was having an off-day (he came down with a sickness bug that night so is possible) and is usually much more social. DS1 claims there are no other children at preschool apart from his brother. That's cleared that up then.