If you think that Ryan is ready for that, I'd so go ahead and give it a try!
My Nick is going to be in a full time autistic classroom for kindergarten beginning in September, but if he is ready after a year to at least be mainstreamed part time, I'd be very willing to try it. In fact, I'm hoping that happens for him.
The boys aren't really in a mainstream class, but it is very mixed. Its larger than most special ed classes, there are 2 NT kids in there(no idea why), 1 other with autism, and I'm not sure what is up with the rest, but they are verbal. I think several is ADD. It has been great for the boys. I watched them today through the window for a bit and they just sat there and watched and didn't participate, but they bring all that stuff home. Nikolas' said 5 brand new words today at home, he says nothing at school. And their social behavior with each other and their sister has grown dramatically. I noticed a little boy in there always hugs them hello, takes them by the hand and shows them things, and now they do that to each other at home. I wouldn't call it scripting they are learning how to interact from the kids around them. The NT kids always help them too, and interact with them. They play much better together now. They are not only taking turns and sharing, one will actually pick up a toy he knows his sister likes and give it to her. My jaw dropped open on that one. I would definitely try it. If its too much you can always take him out and put back in an autistic room full time.
I am considering placing Ryan in a autistic classroom part of the day and in a mainstream classroom the other part of the day with a 1:1 aide for him.
Has anyone considered or are doing this with their child and if so how did it work out for you?