IT’S HER EDUCATION??

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	I really need some advice on this, In my state we have a full inclusion policy which means that when Sharlet starts kinder it has to be at a regular school (we don't have any autism specific schools) Early learning will cease working with her at this time and she will be lucky to get an aide two days pw. Can anybody tell me where to find research that looks at the benifits of autism specific placement and does anyone have an opinion on this?? I would consider leaving the state if it would be better for her to have this or even some days in a regular classroom and some in a autism specific classrom. Please help...I'm lost on this! I don't know about your state, but here in Ohio we have an AUTISM Scholership fund.  It's where they give you a certain amount of money to go to private autism schools.  The Scholorship basically covers the entire amount.  They are all over Ohio.  I am seriously considering it for my son.  contingent on his new IEE.  I dislike our city district emensly!    I think that you can go to the Ohio Department of Education and look it up to see if you can find something simular to that in your state.      Unfortunately I live in Australia but some states here do have autism specific schools, mostly I want to know peoples opinions of what they think is best for an autistic childs education.Every child is different.  But one thing is FOR SURE with autism in any form.  The teacher HAS to be made aware of the significant learning differences for autistic kids.  If there is no understanding of the disability in your area, you may HAVE to move to an area that understands autism more (whether your child should be in an autism-specific school or not depends and you probably won't be able to tell until she's closer to going to kindergarten).  Try to join a support group in your area now. I guarantee you'll learn a ton that is specific to your area from meeting with others who have BTDT.Thanks Tzoya, I suppose you are right that i may have to wait and see where her needs lie in a year and a half. I would love to join a support group but there actually arent any. In Sharlets class at school she is the only child with autism and the only group in the state is for parents of kids who are doing ABA and they only meet a couple of times a year anyway. It is hard as I was born on this island and my entire support network is here but there really isnt anything much here for Sharlet and having no options for her worries me sick!ONE option would be for you to take some courses (online if necessary) so you can supplement her education yourself or so that you can help educate her teachers when she gets to school.  It's hard to expect them to know how to handle this if they don't come across the disabilty often.  Also, if the schools near you have support groups for the parents of special needs kids, in general, that can help, too. Here is what I say about her going into a regular school.  The school district still has to provide an appropriate education to your daughter.  Lots of districts do full inclusion, not that agree with, but that is how it's done.  All services are received in the regular school and in the regular classroom.  But here is how you get around that.  Like Tzoya said, her teacher has to be trained in Autsim. So she gets some modifications and skills training from that teacher.  The special ed teacher HAS to spend some time in the regular room with her.  And when the SP ED teacher can't be there, to make it appropriate, she may need her own aide all week long.  So keep in mind they have to make it an appropriate education.  If the district does all they can to put the correct supports in place, then they are doing what they think is appropriate rather it really is or not.  The thing you will need to hammer down on is getting those appropriate support people lined up.  But full inclusion is the new buzz word. and lots of districts are headed that way. I dread the day when I am told I have to do full inclusion.  It makes no sense what so ever to me.  I am all for the kids with disabilities being included at certain times of the day.  But when learning times are going on, they need to one on one help from someone trained to give it to them. I agree with you Wray and thanks to you both. Should I move somewhere where she can have both? I think I will do what tou said Tzoya and over the next few years do some courses. What should I look at doing? There is a course I could do locally that is used for aides of special needs children, could that help? I would love to learn to do some of the therapies that she needs at home but who would teach me that? Is it common for parents to learn some of the techniques?It is very common for involved parents to learn techniques like this.  I would take advantage of the class that the aides have to take, although it may not be as in depth for topics that you need.  I am sure they go over instructional strategies, but they probably spend a whole lot of time learning what their job is and where they belong.What Wray said.
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