Is Public School a Good Fit for Your Child on the Spectrum?

If you choose to put your child in public school make sure that the school can and will accommodate your child's specific learning needs. While academics are generally the overall objective of any school, it is necessary to consider your child’s social, behavioral, and medical needs as well.

To ensure that educators meet your child's specific learning needs, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) needs to be in place. An IEP is a legally binding document developed by teachers and other educational specialists (Speech-Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapists, School Counselor, School Psychologist, Social Worker, etc.) outlining the accommodations they promise to deliver to your child throughout the school year.

Your child will be placed in a learning environment that best suits his or her needs and is often dependent upon where your child falls on the autism spectrum. Your child may spend part of the day in a mainstream classroom, usually with support from a special education paraprofessional, and part of the day in a special needs classroom. Your child may be placed in a special needs classroom full-time. Your student may attend all or some mainstream special classes such as Art, Physical Education (P.E.), Library, Computer Lab, etc. with support from a special education paraprofessional or they may be assigned to only adapted specials.

The Advantages of Public School for Children with Autism

• Therapies such as Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and mental health counseling are offered to students who qualify for them.

• Students have a chance to learn social skills and practice with peers.

• By law, schools must provide IEPs for all special needs students.

• Some schools provide specialized autism classrooms outfitted with specialty software and other academic support.

The Disadvantages of Public School for Children with Autism

• Some special education teachers are not specifically trained to work with children with autism. This type of teacher may not be the best fit for your child. You have a right to know about your child's teacher's training and certification so if you want more information don't be afraid to ask.

• Just because your child has an IEP, some teachers won't consistently meet your child's needs.

• Many children on the autism spectrum have communication issues so they may find it difficult to communicate school-related problems to their parents.

• Children on the autism spectrum may be more at risk for safety issues such as bullying, eloping from school grounds, or getting lost on field trips.

Source: Time4Learning. 2020. Homeschool Vs Public School For Students With Autism. [online] Available at: <https://www.time4learning.com/homeschooling/special-needs/autism/homeschool-vs-public-school.html> [Accessed 11 September 2020].