| How to Choose Aspergers Schools for your child | | | | do they want to know more about. You can |
| Choosing the right school for any child can be | | | | draw up a list of questions between you that you |
| stressful; finding one for your child with Aspergers | | | | can take along and ask of the staff at the school. |
| can be almost too frightening. Every child | | | | Some of these questions may include: - How |
| deserves a good education and the law provides | | | | integrated will the child be in the classroom? - |
| that children with disabilities such as Aspergers be | | | | What techniques are used to support pupils if |
| educated with teachers trained in handling such | | | | they are struggling to cope and about to go into |
| disabilities in practice; however, finding good | | | | "melt down"? - What is the plan for reducing |
| teachers isn't always easy. | | | | arousal if necessary? - Will your child be well |
| Parents must decide whether or not their child will | | | | taught both theoretically and practically about |
| be best managed in a mainstream school, with a | | | | coping and living in the community with others? |
| high rate of contact with mainstream children, or | | | | Your child may want to know how teachers will |
| in a special or residential school, where the | | | | talk to him, what the other pupils will be like, what |
| chances of the child coming in contact with | | | | subjects and classes he will be in etc. Some of |
| mainstream children is considerably less. Special | | | | your choice in relation to schools will depend on |
| and residential schools may have better | | | | the degree of Aspergers your child has and his or |
| educational programs for autistic children but may | | | | her age. Younger children will need very small |
| not provide enough positive role models of more | | | | class sizes with early education so that, when the |
| 'normal' behaviors. Some people also feel that | | | | child reaches school age, he or she may be more |
| special schools can encourage kids to mimic other | | | | integrated into the classroom. |
| children with similar problems. | | | | The 'right' school understands Aspergers and has |
| For most children with Aspergers I would consider | | | | methods in place for teaching children with |
| that as a basic "rule of thumb" mainstream | | | | Aspergers. They carry a positive attitude about |
| schools with support will be the best option for | | | | Aspergers and place expectations on your child |
| your child's long term progression. This is because | | | | for progress, in whatever way it occurs, in the |
| for children with Aspergers the main issue is not | | | | school setting. The greater is the likelihood that |
| one of cognition, learning or understanding it is | | | | you'll feel your child's needs are being addressed |
| more the case of challenges with social situations. | | | | and that he/she will have a chance to improve |
| So the child is best if supported well in an | | | | along with learning important social skills from |
| environment where typical peers for the rest of | | | | other children. |
| his life (i.e. the general population) are around. | | | | But once you have chosen the right school this is |
| Because obviously the much more "artificial world" | | | | only really the beginning as you then need to |
| of special schools and communities does not | | | | work closely with the teachers to ensure that |
| prepare children as well for the general | | | | they know all about your child. They may well |
| community. But I must stress this is a "rule of | | | | know about Autism and Aspergers. But they |
| thumb" as there are certain institutions and certain | | | | won't know about your individual child. It is your |
| individual cases where this much more specialized | | | | job to be an advocate for your child and teach |
| approach would be beneficial. | | | | the school what they need to know. |
| Choosing the exact right school most definitely | | | | So to summarize this article on choosing a school |
| needs a visit to the school and a talk with the | | | | - the major decision for parents is mainstream V |
| teachers who will be teaching your child. Before | | | | special school. Beyond this the child and parents |
| such a visit it is essential to have considered your | | | | must visit the schools with pre-prepared questions |
| own fears and thoughts about the school | | | | to help make their decision. Then once the child is |
| experience for your child. Even more importantly | | | | at school it is essential for the parent to educate |
| the thoughts and feelings of your child with | | | | the school staff further about the child. |
| Aspergers. What questions do they have, what | | | | |