Special Education

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I am an Aspie mother to an Aspie son (I have three other NT children). My son is in general education right now and he's going to middle school next year. I feel he can't manage the middle school scene at all. The special ed coordinator is recommending my son goes into special ed classes. I told her that I thought he couldn't swim in the general population, too.

Am I making the right decision? I failed at everything in school. I want him to succeed and I know that the regular classroom won't provide that opportunity. Am I wrong? I'm so scared of screwing up his life. My meeting with the school is March 15th.

-Eva

I had difficulties at public school as well, even with help. Have you considered homeschooling? It was the solution for me and I would reccomend it to anyone who could do it. As his mother, and especially as you are both aspie you are the best judge of what is best for him. Just my $.02!!

Ask lots of questions. See if you can observe a class to determine if your son would be a good fit. And don't be afraid to say no to the options the school provides if they're not right for you. My mother refused my school's options and it was one of the best things that ever happened for us. Scope out your options and explore them VERY thoroughly.

Well, I had offered homeschooling to my son, but he wants to be in school with other kids. He rejected the notion soundly (we've done that before and he thought I made him work too much). I've found two private schools that the county sometimes sends kids to when the services they need can't be provided by the school.

I've been working for three days on a monster report for the meeting and I hope it will be so overwhelming to them that they'll just say, "ok, whatever, uncle." This is the upside of AS, let me tell you!

-Eva

I was once homeschooled. Liked school better. I'm in high school now, and happy I never got any help. Homeschooling has downsides, no socializing. Don't forget, grades don't matter until high school, so let your child stay in normal classes if he wants to. My parents didn't know about AS until later, so I was never offered special education. Anyways, middle school is guaranteed to be a HARD time to get through. I didn't enjoy it at all (socially, that is). All the NT's are stating to worry about being popular and being "cool" and so theres lots of jerks. But tough times can make you into a better person. I learned from the experience.

I can not agree strongly enough that you need to visit the class room....Perhaps even ask the teacher if she can pass on your name to the other parents and see if one of them will contact you to discuss the class. They can not give you the other parents names because of confidential rules.

My son is in the first year of middle school. It has been a struggle. We are considering the AS special ed room but only for one hour a day--a type of study hall. In theory, one of the aides would take him under his or or wing and be responsible to help him get organized and stay on top of things. He is highly dyslexic as well and is in the LD room for one hour (English) already. I expect that to contrinue. We also just moved him into the adapted phy ed class due to the sensory overlaod of the big gym class.

I hope you get him into the school you want. If not, think outside the box when designing a program for your child.

BeeBee

My daughters are both in special ed. The one biggest benefit is that there are accomodations for her. AN example is she get some extended time for her exams. She tends to freeze up at the beginning of a test and does better as she is into it. The extra lenth of times lets them assess her knowledge of the subject matter and not how quickly she can get through the test. She also can take a break if she is working up to allow her to calm down or reorganize herself. this has really reduced the number of meltdowns. She also has an alphssmart (small laptop) to type her notes. SHe is quicker and has real handwriting problems.
SHe is also in a smaller setting which reduces the distration.
All and all her grades shot straight up. She is now an A student and is much happier in school. This was a child in which I was very afraid could be a drop out later in life.
Laure