Not all preschools are built the same

Many decades of research now affirms that early and intensive intervention is a defining aspect of treatment for children diagnosed with autism. Not all early intervention programs are the same. Many children with autism are placed into general “special education” programs that do not have a specific focus on autism. Other preschool programs group children with autism together, but do not have an established and researched curriculum that guides the interventions. In response to the evident need for more robust early intervention services Malama Pono launched the KALO Therapeutic Preschool Program.

A preschool built for autism

When you first tour the KALO classroom you will find all the sights and colors of a typical classroom; however, quickly you will see this is not like other programs. The KALO Therapeutic Preschool Program is based on a well-researched, federally funded preschool program specifically designed for children on the autism spectrum. First developed at the University of Washington, it has now been replicated across several states. Malama Pono is excited to provide this innovative and specialized classroom for the children of Hawaii.

What is the KALO Preschool Program?

Any "pre-school" should accomplish just what the name says: Prepare young children to be successful before they enter school.  For many children with autism their "pre-school" needs are not academic but rather behavioral.  The KALO preschool program is not an academic school but rather an intensive behavioral program that models what a classroom would look like. In this more naturalistic environment children can learn the behavioral skills they need to be prepared to enter an academic environment such as attending to a teacher, managing their bodies and behavior around other children, developing social skills, transitioning between activities, and working more independently. What is KALO?  The true "pre-school" program many kids with autism need.