Throughout the lifetime of a child with ASD, parents are often faced with the question of where to send them to school, what activities to enroll them in, etc. Sometimes this question is sparked by a natural transition such as the child turning a certain age. Other times it may be sparked by a move to a new location, or a negative experience at one place, requiring a change to something more suitable.
The following suggestions for evaluating options were provided by various moms who are friends of The Gray Center::
--Remember that one school district, school, teacher, or activity may be optimal for one child, and not a good fit for another. It is often helpful to talk with other parents to find out more about their experiences, but keep in mind that each impression is unique to that child, family, district, school, and teacher.
— Remember that parents have the twin tools of intuition and knowledge of their children. No one knows your child better than you do. If a school or activity doesn't "feel" right, it probably won't be right for your son or daughter. Let that feeling guide you.
— It's always helpful to visit several school districts or programs within a district (and look at charter and private schools, too) and various locations for activities, depending on the options available. Be open to everything — even options that might not seem readily apparent. One mother sent her son with ASD to a school that specialized in educating children who are deaf. It was the best fit for him because of his auditory processing issues. It also is helpful to have a friend or your spouse accompany you on visitations as you explore your options. Sometimes it may be helpful to find a school or district, or activity provider where specialized training has been made available to the teachers and staff, so that they are more likely to be familiar with your child's needs and available strategies for meeting those needs.
— Your child's needs and abilities are constantly changing. A program that fits those needs one year may not be a great fit the next. Consider what the child needs to succeed: Paraprofessional support? Assistive technology? A peer-to-peer social program? Sometimes an adapted curriculum using the Internet for research can be helpful. Using a computer is absolutely necessary for some when they struggle with handwriting. These issues all vary from student to student, and need to be addressed.
— Be aware of your child’s strengths as well as the areas in which he or she needs help. When sensory issues are present, the school environment is as important as the people who are working with a child. You can observe the noise levels at potential venues to determine whether the environment is conducive to your child’s needs. Depending on the school or activity, a student with ASD might be allowed to leave a class five minutes earlier or later to avoid the congestion in the hall. These accommodations are all within the legal range of what you can respectfully request — and expect to receive.
— When examining educational options, enlist the help of the autism teacher consultant for your district or your school (if your district has a large population of students with ASD, there may be more than one). The teacher consultant is there to work on behalf of the student — he/she offers input to teachers but also is available to address parental concerns.
— Keep an open mind even if you have had a bad experience within a school district or with a particular program or activity. A different building with a different administrator and different teachers can make all the difference!
Please share your comments and suggestions below!
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