mainstream or special school

[franmcgowan]

I would like to know which would be better for my child when he goes to primary school. What does everyone think and what choices have you made for your Autistic child. I am scared of making the wrong decision. At the moment he is in mainstream but he is only in Early years so far. What do people think?

[cyberpedz]

Well we went for special school as Josh just would not cope in a regular class. He barely sits still anyway and would not cope with the structure and disciplines of a regular school.

The school he is in now has a variety of children with different disabilities but this is an advantage as the staff know there stuff and the school obviously does not follow a regular school cariculam. we accept the fact that josh may learn a little but it is unlikely to be a lot and he would not cope with mainstream at all. It really does depend on the individual

[flangebaby]

i think whatever you decide will be the right choice, what i found difficult was the primery schools where a lot smaller , one class room , to a comprehensive school where everything fell to pieces, the school was to big the teachers shouted, didnt have time for temper tantrums, and definatly were not trained in how to deal with an autistic child.the children bullied him. personally for me getting a statement for my child and letting him go to a special school was a hard decision, but the best all round for him,i know all schools are different but im glad he went. hes now sitting his gcse art and has been to barcelona with the school.i wish you all the best

[louisereecejones]

It is a very hard choice to make and knowing if you are doing the right thing you will only know when you decide on a school and let him settle. For me my son was put into mainstream and it was very clear he was not coping and so he was moved into special however it has not been that easy because the special school he was placed in has no experience with autism and he is having a dreadfull time but the education will not do anything so if you opt for special go and have a look and get a feel for the place ask all the questions and if you are not happy go back again and again you will find some where you feel will be right x good luck x there is no right or wrong every child is different and has different needs x

[franmcgowan]

Thanks for the advice, guys. I think at the moment he is doing well in his mainstream school. The other children accept him, and he seems happy. I am concerned though that there are incidences of bullying in the local junior school, and I would hate for that to hapen to him. Hopefully it is nt a decision I will have to make without support but it is ultimately my decision and I have to make sure it is the right one

[cyberpedz]

Yes indeed it is but i am sure you will make the right decision and have support leading up to it.

[ghostqueen]

if u get a mainstream school that is up 2 scratch wer autistic children go then id suggest puttin them in it if not id go special school it saves all the hassel x

[redsal]

My son is 7 now and started in mainstream until year 2 when the school suggested that he should move to our local special school. It was a v hard decision to move there as he had made lots of friends in his mainstream class. He wasn't keeping up academically as he has learning difficulties too and we knew that it was only a matter of time before his friends would 'out grow' him as he wasn't on their level and couldn't keep up with their games. It was especiall y hard as he has a twin brother - the decision to split was dreadful - bt v necessary.

Anyway - he started at our local special school last September and we feel he has already made great progress. He had no concept or understanding of time, but now understands the days of the week and knows what day it is when he wakes up and is taking an interest in what he will be doing for the day.

Do the best you can - you'll only know if it's the right decision a while after you've made it.

[newautismcure.com]

It's a tough decision to make but, as others have said, I'm sure that you will make the right decision. I guess that you have to base your decision on your son's needs, what the local school is like and what help/support it can provide. Remember that whatever decision you make won't be permanent, although changing schools is disruptive you can do it if you need to.

[tayomismo]

my son is 10 but doesn't tried pre-school yet. he is always in the therapy here in the Philippines. He knows how to read and write but he can't sit longer. what shall i do?