Spec ed Vs mainstreamingIn order for mainstreaming to work, it involves support of the entire IEP team. The child needs to be supported as needed with coping strategies, sensory diet, visual schedules, where/how to go take a break, social skill goals, pragmatic skill goals, etc. And a para ed or aide if needed. This support is also considered "special education". Another important factor is the willingness of the regular ed. teacher. If open-minded, then there is a good chance of success. If close-minded and "old school", it is then very difficult to succeed. So, I would investigate this support aspect of "mainstreaming" also. Special ed. is not necessary a self-contained classroom. That being said, we have found that the sensory overload has been the biggest obstacle in the reg. ed. classroom. I would like to get a sensory diet resumed at school, which is not proving to be easy. Would be sooo nice to have a small class that has the same academics as reg. ed. Have not found it yet. Good luck to you. ______________________________ mom to 10 year old boy/girl twins (Asperger's/PDD-NOS) look at the two placements. ASAP. But keep in mind that the kids there now are older than the kids who will be there next fall. Talk to the teachers concerned. If the teacher is not interested in supporting inclusion, it will fail. If the Principal is not interested in supporting the teacher is will be very hard. If the Sp Ed management wants the placement to fail they will make it that happen. In my experience the Sp Ed management was annoyed that we got the placement we wanted since they messed up in an IEP meeting, and so did things to make it fail. Unfortunately what is best for your kid is something I cannot tell you. You will have to look trust your feelings and find a place where he can learn. That's probably not a place where he has his hands over his ears. However there are lots of stories that the self-contained classrooms are not as academically challenging as the other classrooms, and I see that now that my son is in a self-contained classroom. Getting out of the self-contained classroom will be very difficult since they do not teach kid classroom skills such as being quiet and waiting your turn. The kids have a hard time of that and so they do not struggle to teach them. But exactly what will happen depends on your local school - YMMV and all that. So if you are interested in mainstreaming as a long term goal, I'd be sure that everyone knows and I'd try to make sure he gets taught the skills he needs to succeed in the NT classroom. Inclusion is an interesting topic, in some places parents fight for inclusion in others the parents fight for self contained class placements. It all depends on which model the district has chosen as its one-size-fits-all model. i think it up to you i no sopme that do both i was in sped i mainstrem for a bit but couldnt keep up acdencly maybe he can be in a pdd class an mainstream for some stuiff an if he doing really well thenb maybe all he wil;l need is an aid ,you live with him all the time .not those family members .so only you no what is best gor himDoes it have to be all or nothing? Sam started out in an autism room and slowly was integrated into the mainstream class with an aide. He started out only doing specials (gym, art, library etc.) and recess with the main class and then slowly one more class at a time as he could handle it. Our son was in mainstream up to 4th grade, we found out about his Aspergers diagnosis in 3rd. In 4th grade it all fell apart and we fought with the district until they paid for him to go to private until middle of 6th. Then his private teacher felt he was ready for mainstream (we were hesitant) and we jumped right in (my son was excited). I think it can be successful as long as you make yourself heard. I let the professionals tell me what they thought we should do, i had other ideas, and everything went to hell. After him finishing 6th at a public school, we transferred him to the public school that I had initially wanted, it has been a complete nightmare also and he is so far behind now as a 7th grader. The fact that your son is younger is a good thing, i think it will be easier for him. The best advice I can give is be your childs advocate and if you feel that something is not right than speak up and don't take no for an answer because you know best. Keep us updated, I would love to know how everything turns out. Hi Thanks for all your replies. The school district which my son attends sucks big time! His IEP for kg is in April,so just wanted to get ideas about how to go about it, and you all have been a great help as always. UV i was happier once i wasnt in puibc school any more i went to a privet sped till 22 even now im mofre conferble around other wiuth disibkly then nt unless the typpilc person understands disbiltysI think the best scenario would be if your school system was integrated but also customizable according to each student. That way your child can be slowly integrated at their own pace as opposed to all or nothing. I think the difficult part is the change from going from one school to another. This can be stressful for any child.Hi My Four and half year old son who is HFA is in a spec ed preschool classroom for the past two years. He will be going to kindergarten this fall. My family and friends keep telling me that you have to try to mainstream him or else he will fall behind academically if he continues to be in spec ed. My son cannot handle too much noise or too many kids together he zones out and plugs his ears Thanks UV Observe the different choices you have for classrooms. Ask the teachers questions. Think about where you can envision your son being the most successful. Don't worry about other people's experiences, do what you and the people who know your son best think will be best for him.I had the same auditory sensitivities as a little kid (still do), and I was mainstreamed K-12. As long as the teachers keep a tight reign on the kids, it's not too much of a problem. The sound issues were way worse in preschool than in kindergarten or first grade. |
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I want him to learn as much as possible in an environment which is comfortable to him. I am worried whether I am making the right decision or not. Any suggestions??