I'm a young mother to a 5 year old autistic boy and I would love some advice as far as school is concerned

[jlopez2050]

I'm having a hard time in deciding whether or not i should put my son in kindergarten next school year, i'm kind of skeptical because he's behind on a lot and they want to put him in a regular classroom for  4hrs a day. I don't feel comfortable with him being in a regular class but i don't know what to do, so can someone  who's been through this problem please help me

[novachick]

I chose to homeschool and I'm so glad I have. My son is also 5 and he's doing so well. I also have an in home therapist that comes to the house 3 days a week for 2 hours a day to work with him. I love the freedom homeschooling affords & we can always work at his individual pace.

[jlopez2050]

I was considering doing the samething with my son. can you tell me how I go about it please. Thank you

[saltycoqui]

If he has an iep report, read all of it. If he is getting therapy, mke sure u know exactly what they are doing.
I would give the school a try. You can remove him if it doesn't work out.

[frenchi71]

School, in my opinion, is really beneficial, esp for kids with ASD.  They have many opportunities during the school day for social interactions with other kids that home schooling does not have.  I am not bashing homeschooling, just speaking with my Early Intervention Teacher hat on :)

[Im-Just-Me]

He will have an IEP. My son is in a regular classroom with an aid. She helps him throughout the day :)

[dawncs]

You have to realize that there are federal regulations regarding Special Education services. If you want your child in the preschool environment for another year, it could cause problems for you. They might not place him at the Special Education program where he has been attending since age 3. You better come up with an alternative placement for him. You have to realize he might not catch up to the nt students in his classroom, and the problems will still remain next year. I will include some resources for you.

• http://www.wrightslaw.com/
• http://www.autism-society.org/
• http://www.thearc.org/
• http://www.easterseals.org/
• http://www.specialolympics.org/

[aidensmomma508]

I kept my son behind this year he's starting Kindergarten this summer his birthday is in August he'll be 6

[Hottubgodess]

 I waited with my NT son.  He will be six when he enters this fall, and will be 18 the entire senior year, turning 19 just after graduation.  I am glad I waited.

Trust your gut.  Ask the school if they have the "helps" he needs.  Many NT kids dont understand kids with autism.  And the stress can be rough on the autistic kiddos.  Ask the principal first.  :) 

[DBKUGirl]

IEP's are wonderful because you can have a direct say as far as what happens whith your son's schoolday. And don't be afraid to speak up! And if you truly feel he's not ready yet, then hold him back a year.

[beccalynne]

My son is now 12, and when he went into kindergarten, he wasn't diagnosed then i have kept him in the regular classes, he will be entering middle school next year, i feel that he truly benefited from being in public school.