Im not a parent but my parents had to go thru the same decisions with me years back. I was in special ed between 1-4th grade, transition in 5th grade and mainstream 6-12. What my parents considered first was would I be more sucessful with the normal kids or at my own pace in special ed. Secondly, how much progress did I make the previous year, if i am too socially akward or wont be able to learn, possibly be a distraction to others then mainstream could not work at that particular time.
It sounds like your son was the same age I was when still in special ed, and it sounds like, at least my non professional opinion, is that he may do better in special ed and once you see an improvement with age (i hope) he can be slowly introduced to normal classes for a year or 2 then when it seems he can fit right in, do well in his classes and special ed cant help him anymore then its time to put him in normal classes as my parents did with me.
Things to keep in mind are that everybody is different, but when we are very young autism is much harder to deal with assuming we have it mildly. As we progress in age we will want to feel more of a desire to fit in, and may understand some behavior of ours is inapprpriate and we need to conform more, plus as we age and assuming we are mild enough we will want friends. If he is mild enough and im assuming he is if u r considering mainstreaming him, then perhapse he needs a little more time to grow and learn in special ed b4 he moves on.
I am very sad to say this, but when I got mainstreamed I had a horrible time for all of elementary school the kids new I was in special ed and was called a 'BOCEY' in referrence to BOCES in NYS, i dont know what the connection was for them, but they ostrisized me and bullied me and it followed me through my whole school years. Just keep that in mind eventually when he is mainstreamed their will still be plenty of trouble ahead and much still to deal with.
If you son gets older and wants to succeed, he will im sure, i did and now i function independently, good job, nice car, own a small house by myself. Im sure you will know what is best for him. AFterall u have so much more at your disposal then I ever did or my parents growing up. Good luck!
Hi thanks for your reply
Can I ask you if their were many physically disabled children inyour special school, and if so how this made you feel, obviously as adultd we understand , but my worry is that billy going into a class with children who are physically disabled , will make his confidence about himself lower, I hope you don,t think I am being silly .
I remember a blind kid in 2nd grade, but other than that everyone who was in my class physically was normal, just they had emotional/phycological problems, im prettu sure i was the only autistic 1 tho, their r many different efflictions with kids they dont usually just put to my knowledge anyways kids with phyicial disabilities in special ed cause they can learn and function just like others and dont really require special treatment.Hi
This is my first time on this site and was wondering if anyone has experience the hard decision of deciding to keep their child in main stream school or send them to a special needs schools.
My son is now 7 and has austic spectrum disorders, and learning difficulties , he is due to start year 3 at school .
The school he attends have been great with him but even with 25 hrs support he dosn,t seem to be making any progress educationally, or emotionally, each morning he cries and clings to me , which is breaking my heart.
I have been to look at a special school but can,t decide if the school is right for billy or not.
Any experiences or advice anyone can give would be great please.
Lisa