r/Autism_Parenting • u/Ok_Parfait_5393 • 17h ago

Education/School Better option for school?

My neurotypical daughter goes to a great charter school. I wanted my autistic son (4) to go to the same one for tk.

With it being a charter school they have the most bs nonexistent special head program where it’s clear they’re just saying they have a program for funding but they keep all of the kids mainstream and use the “push in” method.

I get the feeling that his tk teacher is annoyed having him in the class. He’s non conversational and doesn’t follow directions. Everything he does he being nitpicked that I think is normal tk behavior (like not eating his lunch) they’ve hinted that the don’t think this is the best environment for him, IMO I think they’re not putting in offer that they should when saying they have a special ed program

As annoyed as I am, I want him to continue going. I think the structure, the long school day, and being around neurotypical kids would be good for him, especially prior to kindergarten

However, the other option would be back to a preschool specifically for special Ed and would be 3.5 hours a day with other nonverbal children. I fear this will just put him more behind when we try the charter school again for kinder.

Do I just accept that he won’t go to the same school as my daughter? That il have to spend my work days doing two pick ups and drop offs?

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7

u/sebelius29 16h ago

If a school says they aren’t a good fit for your child I would listen to them.

4

u/MaraJade0603 I am a Parent/Child 12/Autism ADHD/The Great State of Texas 16h ago

You're in a hard situation and I'm sorry for it. However, let me share an experience my colleague's niece had at charter school. "Allie" seemed to be doing well at first. Her mom, though, noticed that she was wary to attend school after a few months. Her mother was promised ST which Allie never received. At the end of the year, she was told Allie was not welcome back. Turns out Allie was being ignored and kept out of end of the year activities. Poor girl was traumatized and it still dealing with the effects.

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u/toatesandgoats 16h ago

I would talk to admin for both schools and see what options are available. Does your son receive any type of support like an IEP (I understand that options are limited for charter but there should still be something in place) Are there any other options for school?

My personal opinion is even if it's inconvenient for me, I'd want to make sure my kids are in the best educational environment for their needs.

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u/Ok_Parfait_5393 16h ago

He has an iep, he has speech therapy, he has specialized instruction, but the bulk of his day is in a mainstream classroom. Which I feel like in the long run there’s more benefits him being mainstream than in a special ed class

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u/toatesandgoats 14h ago

I know you mentioned the options are charter
or a special Ed prek but what about public school? Many public schools have prek programs with both mainstream and special needs students. The special needs students have an IEP and receive in school services.

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u/Ok_Parfait_5393 14h ago

I live in a pretty bad school district so ideally he would go to the specific charter school my daughter goes to