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What/how to choose? Mainstream/ASD Unit/Special School

Octsmum

Oh dear.  We are looking for advice and opinions on the different types of school setting available to our son.  Our 7 yr old with high functioning autism has transferred from his mainstream infant school to the juniors and is not happy with the change.  The jump from infants to juniors is significant in terms of the way they work and he is taking his time to settle.  Personally, I feel it is all about him being allowed to take his time, but his behaviour has led the school and the educational psychologist working for the LEA to feel that he would be better off in a mainstream school with an ASD unit. 

The school has been great, and they have a track record for being very inclusive in their approach - there are other children with ASDs further along the school.  I feel more than a little disappointed that they are considering admitting defeat so soon - only a few weeks into the schoool year.

I have seen another post with a fabulous response listing the pros and cons of each type of setting, and we have already thought of most of the points listed there.  We are less worried about our son's academic progress than about him feeling that it is possible for him to move within NT circles comfortably and with minimal/no anxiety.  Our feelings have been complicated by reports that there are adults with autism who would not advise parents to send their ASD kids to special schools.  I am guessing/hoping that their experiences are out of date, since professionals' understanding of autism and how best to educate children with autism has improved.

We would welcome opinions on this subject from parents/carers and particularly from anyone with autism who has had experience of the various types of school setting.

Thanks!

Parents

  • Hi there,

    Dont know how much help this will be to you but its my experiences. I think a lot depends on you and your sons wants and expectations out of a school.

    I pushed for my son to remain in mainstream because he was academicaly able and I worried about his long term future as I felt that with support he would be able to work and live independantly. but its been a hard struggle all of primary he had a 1 on 1 assistant, secondary was slightly easier as he followed an academic timetable and had use of laptops and a quiet room he could escape too and at times I did question if I did the right thing and if it was fair on him and should I move him. I strongly considered home schooling but with 3 other siblings and being unsure of my own abilities as a stand in for a teacher I saved that as a very last resort. But to be fair I think most parents do question most things with all children, its part of being a parent.

    However I now think it has all been worthwhile as he is in college doing a NC course and applying to do a HNC next year with a group of people who are all interested in the same things. Yes its still hard on an organisational level and i will always be involved in his education. But he is now finaly happy and looking forward to his years in FE.

    However I have also seen it from the other side as I worked as a support worker/ classroom assistant in a special school for a little over a year and  the children I saw there were very happy and yes they didnt have to change schools, we had kids from nursery up to 19. Everything was about their needs and helping them cope with the outside world it was fantastic for kids that need that. But my son would of been bored stupid with the educational work he loves fact and trivial and passed most his exams, it would not of been suitable for him other than he wouldnt of had the struggles with teachers not understanding him and would probably off made friends and felt more secure.

    So I feel it realy is an individual question of what does your son need now and in the future, is there any middle ground you can find like the mainstream you mentioned with a support unit. Hope this has given a little insight from someone who is comming out the other end of the school system. Best of luck.

    Sam

    x

Reply

  • Hi there,

    Dont know how much help this will be to you but its my experiences. I think a lot depends on you and your sons wants and expectations out of a school.

    I pushed for my son to remain in mainstream because he was academicaly able and I worried about his long term future as I felt that with support he would be able to work and live independantly. but its been a hard struggle all of primary he had a 1 on 1 assistant, secondary was slightly easier as he followed an academic timetable and had use of laptops and a quiet room he could escape too and at times I did question if I did the right thing and if it was fair on him and should I move him. I strongly considered home schooling but with 3 other siblings and being unsure of my own abilities as a stand in for a teacher I saved that as a very last resort. But to be fair I think most parents do question most things with all children, its part of being a parent.

    However I now think it has all been worthwhile as he is in college doing a NC course and applying to do a HNC next year with a group of people who are all interested in the same things. Yes its still hard on an organisational level and i will always be involved in his education. But he is now finaly happy and looking forward to his years in FE.

    However I have also seen it from the other side as I worked as a support worker/ classroom assistant in a special school for a little over a year and  the children I saw there were very happy and yes they didnt have to change schools, we had kids from nursery up to 19. Everything was about their needs and helping them cope with the outside world it was fantastic for kids that need that. But my son would of been bored stupid with the educational work he loves fact and trivial and passed most his exams, it would not of been suitable for him other than he wouldnt of had the struggles with teachers not understanding him and would probably off made friends and felt more secure.

    So I feel it realy is an individual question of what does your son need now and in the future, is there any middle ground you can find like the mainstream you mentioned with a support unit. Hope this has given a little insight from someone who is comming out the other end of the school system. Best of luck.

    Sam

    x

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