Private school spanks kids with autism.

[destiny29]

Just learned Flaming Sword Academy paddles kids, special needs or not, when they misbehave. That changes my plan for next year for Dustin my 4 year old with savante syndrome. I was wanting him to do private school because the public school doesn't have an appropriate classroom for a high functioning child who can do the academics (and then some) but has a hard time in group situations like circle time. The enclosed classrooms are really better suited to the moderate and lower functioning individuals like my 10 year old. I was considering this private school because they advertise that they are experienced in handling kids with ADD, ADHD, and high functioning autism. I went to Catholic school as a kid and there were a few who got paddled but never a child with disabilities. I'm not 100% opposed to spanking but definitely not for kids who won't make the connection between the spanking and what they did. That's just abuse. You can't beat a dog into becoming a cat, they're just different and Dustin would be unable to walk after the first day! Homeschooling is just looking better and better....

[AngelaPatton]

Wow, that's some kind of experience. It's really too bad since socialization and peer modeling are so important. Ian literally went from sitting 45 seconds at group in an enclosed classroom to 20 minutes in a regular Ed room.
Well, if you do homeschool, I have more websites for you :)

[destiny29]

I am not opposed to enclosed classrooms, I realize that sounded kind of bad after I re read it. My older son is doing fantastic in his enclosed classroom. Our school district doesn't do well with the kids that are borderline in behavior. They do great with kids that aren't considered high functioning or Asperger's. Those borderline kids, they tend to either put them in a class where the teacher is just too busy dealing with the lower functioning individuals to give the higher functioning ones the tweaks they need to be in the regular class or they throw them into a regular class and you get a phone call every day about your child not behaving. They're just not very good with high functioning kids here. I could do what one of the other moms did and go to school with him and sit in on every class but at that point, why wouldn't I just homeschool? I get that social interaction is important but  I'm ok with him being a loner as long as he learns to be polite.  What I have is a child who is academically ready for 3rd grade but socially and emotionally 3 years old. You can't put a 3 year old in 3rd grade and expect them to behave like the rest of the kids in his class. It's just not going to happen. So homeschool seems like a good idea until he is more emotionally able to handle the class he'd need to be in. I do plan on puting him in group music classes, art classes and cub scouts so that he can be exposed to other kids in a somewhat controled setting.  

[AngelaPatton]

Sounds like he'd probably get more positive social interaction with that plan than at a school. One big problem we've had for Ian is keeping him from getting bored. So far the schools been doing pretty good, but it's a big challenge. Most teachers wouldn't go as far as ours have. As it is we still supplement at home.

[crossnlilly]

I wouldnt send my kid to that school. I would definately look for a different school. Or home school.

[bxmom2580]

I would never put my child in a school that allows physical dicipline

[dawncs]

Have you looked into a charter school or a public school placement who has a gifted and talented program? I came across one public elementary school which had a gifted pull out program starting as early as first grade. Neither of these options cost any money. Charter schools can be a specialty school at times, and it is funded by the state and your local school district.

[destiny29]

Quoting dawncs:

Have you looked into a charter school or a public school placement who has a gifted and talented program? I came across one public elementary school which had a gifted pull out program starting as early as first grade. Neither of these options cost any money. Charter schools can be a specialty school at times, and it is funded by the state and your local school district.

    I had considered maybe seeing if the charter school would allow me to sit in on class with him or attend certain classes at school and then homeschool part of the day for the subjects he's just way too advanced in. Some kind of combo so he can still be around other kids and but not suffer in academics. The autism specialist said they had never done that but then my son is a special case, so she was going to check on that option for me. She hasn't called back yet.