You have 18 more years of this.
Read the IEP over thoroughly when you get it. Bring it with you to the classroom visit and when you speak with the teacher. Point out to her what she MUST do. An IEP is a legal contract and the school district can be made to abide by it -- in court, if necessary. It's not merely a suggestion. Tell the teacher that it is her right to call another IEP meeting to get the things she objects to out of your son's IEP, but the whole team will decide on that -- not just her.l
My son did better in a small classroom when he was three. He had a really hard time dealing with a larger group of kids when he was asked to sit at circle time and snack time and he spent a lot of time going under tables to see out a quite space.
My son is now almost five and has progressed to the point where he enjoys attempting social interaction with the other kids, but it took some time for him to adjust to just being around other children.
I am not sure how responsive your son is to other children, but that could be something that you might consider when weighing the benefits of one classroom versus the other.
Also, I totally agree with Tzoya, the teacher is the most critical part of any placement. We have experienced both bad and good teachers, and the one bad teacher that my son had caused his behaviour to get worse and made him not want to go to school anymore. After being placed with a wonderful teacher, Brandon now loves to go to school and asks me everyday (even on weekends) School tomorrow? School bus?.
Argh, I went in to meet with the other teacher and was met by the principal who literally scolded me for thinking I could come in and CHOOSE which class I wanted although that was what I was told at the IEP. She also was pretty condescending about the need for a 1:1 aide when there were 2 aides in the classroom already. Apparently the IEP isn't of any concern to her. Everyone seemed very surprised about her behavior because I guess she's supposed to be really nice but she and I did not get off on the right foot.
Also he turns three tomorrow and I still haven't gotten the IEP to look over and sign. Now she's saying "maybe" tomorrow. I am really not enjoying this process at all. :(
The only way to know is to go visit both classes. I think you'll know when you see the right setting. Also, the TEACHER makes ALL the difference. We parents have no right to say we're basing our decision on which class we want on the teacher, but sometimes we can. Happy birthday to your boy!I'm still waiting for his IEP to sign and to meet the other preschool teacher. So it's not looking like he's starting tomorrow. There are two Autism preschool classes one has 3 kids 1 teacher and 1 aide. Not sure the teacher ratio in the other class but there are 6 autistic kids plus two typical kids for two hours in the am. Either way my son will be getting his own 1:1 aide. What my question is which is a better setting (considering all other factors are equal) a larger class with more peers or the smaller class with a more intimate learning environment?
Thanks,
Maureen