Sarah's went from a pre kinderkids class of 8:2 teachers on to kindergarten of 24:1 teacher and has done just fine. We had in IEP for her to be with teacher at all times visually and close to her in classroom..to have plenty of verbal and visual supports and a resource teacher in place just in case she needed a space away from classroom~like a meltdown or something. She never needed the resource teacher at all this year and did beyond our dreams. We were amazed she made all day too because her kinderkids class was only 4 hours 3x a week. She really thrived on the structure of school and the weekends are the hardest thing now because she thinks she has to be doing something at all times
You can also visit the class even if the meeting is finished. You can simply tell them that you want to reserve approving the IEP until after you've observed the class.My son is going into kindergarten in the fall and I meet with his preschool teacher and the kindergarten teacher on thursday to discuss the transition and IEP.
I dont know what goals to make for him. I dont know he will react going from 14 kids and 3 teachers to 25 kids and 1 teacher.
I am demanding full day for him and that the school pay for it. the Half day does not allow for transition time and makes it very hectic and rushed for someone with major sensory issues.
My son has met all his social skills- goals and I dont know what is socially appropiate for a 5 yr. old. He is doing so well in this area. It used to be my biggest concern.
He will be getting speech and pT from school.
I guess I am asking how your kids transitioned and how well did they do. How different was kindergarten was from preschool? any advice would be great.
Most people would not pick up on him being autistic. He has come so far.
Have you visited the classroom they are proposing putting him in? I would do that before I'd agree to any placement. Of course, you'll have to remember that the kids you're seeing today are a year older than your son is now, but seeing a placement is the best way to know what possible issues will be. He may need a consultant to come in to bring the teacher and staff up to speed on his issues. He may need a one-on-one aide. He may not need much of anything. Seeing what the situation is will help you understand what he WILL need.
25 kids and one teacher? Yikes! I have my soon to be kindergartener going into an 8:1:1. I cannot imagine him with 25 other kids.
I'm glad your kiddo is doing so well. That's awesome.
There are PLENTY of kids on the autism spectrum who benefit from being in larger, more typical settings. However, they all need some sort of support. In NY, we are lucky that we can demand that regular visits from an autism consultant be included on the IEP so that someone who is an expert can give "indirect consultation" to the regular ed teacher and staff and can train any aide that might be assigned to the child or his classroom. I have to agree that 25 kids is a lot for even tyically-developing kindergarteners, but it happens. Actually SEEING the environment will help. Also, asking the prinicpal to choose the teacher who is most likely going to be able to deal with an autistic child will keep the PRINCIPAL's job far easier next year.thanks. I have met the full day teacher (only one). I have seen the classroom but I have not observed the class in action. That is a great idea. I have a feeling we wont finish the meeting thursday so I will be able to visit the class.