Reply to Applying to mainstream private schools: When/how should I tell the admission about DC's autism?

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Reply to "Applying to mainstream private schools: When/how should I tell the admission about DC's autism?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP here. What I meant by "social support" is any of the following:
- Recognizing that even though my DC looks content playing alone, DC needs to learn to play with other kids.  
- Understanding that recess (and other non-structured periods) are the golden opportunity for my DC is learn social skills and willing to help DC to connect with other kids, even just by simple gesture "Let's see what (Friend A) is playing." or said to (Friend A),"(DC) might be interested in what you're doing."
In short, the teacher should TRY to help facilitate social interaction as much as he/she would help other kids academically in the classroom.
- This might be a a stretch for most schools and will make them anxious ...  consider parents bringing in an outside therapist during recess (push-in, not pull out).

I really try to be honest about my DC's diagnosis and needs, if there's an opportunity to talk to the admission privately during school visits/tours, but it always felt that I dropped a bomb and created a tension/awkwardness once the word "autism" comes out.
[/quote]

yes, teachers can and will do those things at the beginning of the year but for your child is that really all it will take?  For an NT child, the "social support" listed above would be enough to help them get acclimated socially after a few weeeks. Will it be the same for your child? Or do you anticipate that your child will need this support all year, every day?  
Will your child need friendship and social interaction reminders every single day all year? That's different than a child who needs reminding and redirection on occasion.

My child is at a "progressive" minded school and seen the autism churn.  Parents come in believing that the small environment, the nurturing classroom will be enough and it's not.  The school usually gives a couples years before they just let the parents know it's time to move on.  During that time, the child just becomes more alienated from the very small peer groups that already exist given the size of classes.  In a small environment like the dc area private schools a child who is different in terms of expected social behaviors sticks out so much more than he does in the larger classes of public school.[/quote]

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