09/14/2026
Is my child old enough for VPK or kindergarten… or are they ready?
Those might sound like the same question.
But this fall, we’ve helped families at Kith&Kin ABA navigate both, and we wanted to share an important reminder:
They’re not quite the same thing.
Children don’t all grow at the same pace. And that’s okay. In fact, it’s part of what makes them wonderfully, uniquely themselves.
For some children diagnosed with autism, another year can offer valuable time to continue building communication, regulation, flexibility, independence, and social-emotional skills.
For others, they’re ready now! Ready to take that next step, meet new friends, and discover what the next chapter has in store.
So how do you know?
There isn’t one right answer for every child. But there can be an intentional answer for each child and family.
And that’s what we’re after.
The goal isn’t simply to start school when the calendar says it’s time. It’s to help each child step into their next chapter with the skills, confidence, and support they need to thrive.
We’re not pro-delay or pro-starting-early. We’re pro-understanding your child.
Because sometimes the best next step is to wait, and sometimes it’s to go. What matters is understanding what your child needs and giving them the support, confidence, and encouragement to get there.
🎧 A podcast we’re loving on this topic:
Should You Hold Your Child Back a Year? What Parents Need to Know — Opportunity Gap: For Families Navigating Special Education
It’s a thoughtful conversation about school readiness and the importance of looking at the whole child, not just their age.
We especially appreciated the reminder that readiness can include communication, regulation, executive functioning, social-emotional development, and the supports a child has around them.
Podcast Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1BY891Vkuc0SBBO9uWu3VD?si=WD3z-0E0SReZ4fsxwcVMog