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| Name: sosusume | Date: Feb 2nd, 2011 7:15 AM |
| Hi Kelli, The age old debate of inclusion or exclusion. Well, I've had experience with both. Initially, my son was in a regular mainstream school. He did quite well in Kindergarten, but not much is expected of them at that level. The issues arose the following year. During grade one, he must've 5 or 6 at the time, he was face to face with the teacher from hell. She had little experience with being a teacher, and absolutely none with being a teacher for kids with special needs. She treated him miserably; I spent nearly every day of his school year in his class. Now, before grade two rolled in, I went to the school board and researched my options. 1. Inclusion: Leave him where he was and have an aide assigned to his class. She would not be there strictly for him, she will assist all the kids. In essence, she will be the teacher's helper. 2. Exclusion: Seek a specialized program. Well, I wanted a third option. I asked if a program existed where my child could get more one on one, then as he improves, move into a regular classroom with the help of an aide. Well, guess what...such a program was about to be launched. The pilot project was to be in a regular school, but in the far and very removed wing. I immediately enrolled him. He was in the Interactions program for grades 2 and 3, then once ready and steadily improving, he graduated to a regular classroom for his grade 4 and 5 years. They were solid years for him. He excelled in all his classes. However, he's now struggling in grade 6, and not academically. But, because the school houses the Interactions program for kids with autism and aspergers, the school as a whole is a welcoming environment. Bottom line, if you choose mainstream the first things you have to make sure you have are a knowledgable principal and teachers. If you believe they are NOT, don't leave your child with them. They will take an already tough situation and quadruple it. And if you choose the special school route, believe me, you will make life a lot easier on yourself and your child. But this is only my experience. Look for things like: will they work with my child at his pace, will they set the pace, what's the ratio in re to child and instructor, what are their expectations, and above all, tell them know your expectations. Be firm! After all, you are your child's number one advocate. Will they integrate him when he's ready? Ask all these questions and make an informed decision. ↑ |
