Published on 12, July, 2020
As a concerned parent navigating the complexities of education for an autistic child, I find myself at a crossroads, contemplating a crucial decision:
mainstream schooling versus special education schools. This choice is not merely about selecting an institution; it's about choosing a path that will significantly shape my child's development, social skills, and self-esteem.
Mainstream schools offer the prospect of integrated learning environments where children, regardless of their neurological differences, are educated together. This setting promises social integration and exposure to a variety of teaching styles and peer interactions, which are beneficial for understanding diverse perspectives and developing social norms.
On the other hand, special education schools provide tailored educational strategies specifically designed for children with autism. These institutions often offer smaller class sizes, specialised staff, and customised curricula that address the unique needs of autistic students, potentially making learning more accessible and less stressful for them.
Given the importance of this decision, I am reaching out to the members of the National Autistic Society for advice and insights. Your experiences and the knowledge gained from them are invaluable to parents like myself, who are striving to make informed decisions.
1. Mainstream Schools:
- What were the benefits for your autistic child attending a mainstream school?
- How did mainstream schools support your child both academically and socially?
- What challenges did you encounter, and how were they addressed?
2. Special Schools:
- What specialised approaches did these schools use to support your child’s learning and development?
- Did attending a special school enhance your child’s educational experience compared to a mainstream school?
- What were the potential drawbacks or limitations you observed in special schools?
The goal is not merely academic success but fostering an environment where my child can thrive, feel secure, and be understood. Understanding the benefits that both educational settings offer, and hearing about the real-world outcomes for other children on the autism spectrum, will greatly assist in making a decision that best suits my child’s needs and potentials.
I hope you all to share your insights, experiences, and any research that can illuminate this path. Your contributions will help build a well-rounded perspective that many parents, including myself, seek during these challenging but crucial decision-making times.
Hi, this is my own personal views of the both of these:
Mainstream:
1. My daughter was able to socialise with lots of people. She has learning the same as others her year.
2. They supported my daughter by reducing her timetable and letting her leave class when overwhelmed. She had a go-to person and place when needed.
3. The challenges we had was she was not diagnosed so did not have an EHCP so there was only so much school could do. She had meltdowns daily at school. She was separated from others. Due to the overwhelming environment of mainstream school she did not cope and kept being excluded and kicked out of them. It almost cost her her life in all honesty.
Special School:
1. The school used a range of different communication strategies, makaton, pecs, visuals. She was in a class with max 4 other students who are all staffed 1:1 or 2:1. Staff got to know her well, her likes, dislikes and her needs. Her timetable was individualised to her needs and likes. School bought foods and drinks that she liked. Because everyone is staffed 1:1 or 2:1 she has staff with her all day so I knew she was safe and supported and any behaviour challenges that arises were managed a lot easier that in mainstream. They allowed structured times to socialise, learn and spend time with other students, whilst supported where needed.
2. Teachers taught her the way she would learn and understand. She was not learning at a level where other children her age would be but work always challenged her. She was taught what she needed to learn. She did Maths and English and the rest were more "relaxed" e.g. PSHE, Social Skills, Communication Skills, SALT, OT, Sensory, Cooking, Sports. Overall, she learnt more here than she did at Mainstream.
3. Her special school was an autism specialist school with 20 students. She would share a class with students aged between 12-19, all at different levels. Most of them experienced times of distress and extremely challenging behaviours, which disrupted her (she also displayed behaviours disrupting others). Overall, this school was best for her and she did not want to miss a day. She now wants to work there which she has applied for.
It all depends of your child's needs. Academically she was very bright but needed support to stay engaged and do the work. Socially she struggled but with her staffs help she formed friendships. Behaviourally, she needed substantial support to stay safe. Her communication skills were limited when she started and was using makaton, pecs, visuals, AAC device but over the 3 years she was there, she no longer needs them. This school was best for her in my opinion.
ParentingAutism said:It all depends of your child's needs.
I would second this though - we need to understand their level of impact from autistic traits to be able to focus on the right solutions for them.
A big part of this will be what level of integration is anticipated when they come out the other end of the school system.
For example for someone with lower needs, a mainstream school may be a good option and allow them to develop ways to integrate with neurotypicals and pick up the social skills to allow them to more seamlessly integrate into society and have a "normal" life, job, relationship etc.
If they go to a special school then they will be less well prepared for the transition into adulthood and the adult world, will probably be more accustomed to high maintenance support and lack the skills to socialise with neurotypicals due to lack of practice.
Special schools are absolutely the right choice for someone with a high support need but otherwise I would suggest mainstream.