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It can cause anxiety for your child to be mainstreamed but at some point in their life they will have to face being in public and we hope they… read more

I haven't been offered a 1 on 1 para pro, and maybe that's why I'm so uneasy! He is developmentally delayed, with… read more

I don't like the idea of the school pressuring your son out of the special ed class. If he's not ready, he's not ready.… read more

My son started kindergarten (mainstream) this year. He was in a blended ESD classroom for preschool. It has been a bit of a struggle for him,… read more

Nobody knows your child better than you and what they can or can not handle....everytime my son was forced into mainstreaming I ended up with… read more

My son was put into a regular ed classroom this year (1st grade) after 2 years in a Special Ed room all day. I was a nervous wreck before… read more

It's not as bad as you think, actually its not bad at all... Mika has been Mainstreamed since kindergarten and it has done wonders for… read more

We are truly bless, that Dominic next fall will be go to his older brother school ! All the kids in this school no matter if they have special… read more

I was worried also with Stephen being mainstreamed into some of the classes with his classmates but I had to opportunity when it was time for… read more

@ShannonMurrayNeely they were slowly transistioning Ryan into shared regular classes like they are doing with Stephen, so he took PE, Music,… read more

I'm the opposite. I saw the potential in my children and I pushed for mainstreaming very early. But on the other hand, I see schools that… read more

@Bornbeth they made this change without your approval and this extra hour is NOT in his current IEP?????

Ok, Sorry, I should have read more. I get emotional when I read about possible bulling in the school system and that is just what I call it.… read more

@ShannonMurrayNeely I've been hearing this theme on here from some parents, which is what started me thinking that we have a big problem… read more

@Bornbeth Absolutely! let him make his decisions. That is the first start in building self-esteem. I believe you are now pointed in the right… read more

Bornbeth, When I started having problems I talked with my son's case manager and then went to the principle. If your child has any IEP in… read more

I found an awesome book on Autism that I'm going to give to each of his teachers, their aides, and the school diagnetician (she's… read more

@Bornbeth sounds like an awesome idea to me. Hope it works out for ya.

I feel that mainstreaming should involve a TRAINED INCLUSION teacher. Success depends on it. This is where the struggle really begins and… read more

I am going through this right now with my daughter--wsa in special needs preschool for autism for 2 years, and now mainstreamed into general… read more

Having experienced both, I can say that mainstreaming was terrible for my child. He lost everything we had gained in primary school (K-2).… read more

I really didn't give them an oppotunity, with my older child also attending St.Joan of Arc in Nashotah the IEP suggested it if things… read more

Eventually, you will want your child in full inclusion because adult life is full inclusion.

However, the question is whether or not your child… read more

I think many schools are not realizing that Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is not the same for all children. People are different; we are… read more

I hate to say this but it has been my experience that the school tries to completely mainstream at least 3 special ed children a year. They… read more

@ChristineStehn: Is this in a public school?

@Sharonmbclark: Yes, my daughter is in a public school in a self-contained class with 11 other children, a special ed teacher and a… read more

@ChristineStehn: You can get a lot of good information at www.wrightslaw.com. They can help provide you with resources and information that… read more

Well,Matt was mainstreamed all through grade school,with an IEP and a helper in his classes. This is the first year he has been in Special Ed… read more

My son Connor started kindergarten in a mainstream setting after spending 2 years in an ASD setting for preschool. I was a nervous wreck and… read more

First of all.... your child will never lose his unique perspective. As well... I not sure kids on the spectrum ever conform.... And this is a… read more

I have read every answer to this question and I am thinking hard upon them. I have to do for Ryan what he needs, and balance upon the edge of… read more

@Bornbeth - bravo! Keep us posted!

Mainstreaming can both be good and bad in my experience. While it works well for social interaction, on the flip side it can be a more… read more

YOU know your child, but if your child has been in school long enough, so do the staff and teachers. I pushed to have J in 2 resource/spec ed… read more

Oh, and if we were to put J in ALL spec ed classes, he'd be in with kids who are severely handicapped and these would not be good role… read more

@MichelleSarabia thank you so much for your insider advise, and as a Mom as well. I have no ability to have your perspective, but you did give… read more

wow @bornbeth, I wish you luck with this. Kylee has been mainstreamed since pre-k (in 3rd now). academically she is ahead of her peers. but… read more

we have the opposite. Our school district wants us to keep the kids in a Special Day Class. Dakota is in a SDC program. Austin is mainstreamed… read more

I have a high school age son who was diagnosed NOS-PDD at 3 and Asperger's at 13. He was in regular ed. Preschool through 5th. With great… read more

while that would be the best advice :) some of us don't have the smoothness of what you described unfortunately. we tried discussing them… read more

I don't like when the school pressures for something in particular. I have learned when it happens usually it's because it's… read more

we've been dealing with the boredom issue too...my 8 year old has big issues with spelling and reading. she is so bored and fights us… read more

@nlee1313 if your child only has a school diagnosis then they can change it, however, if they have a medical diagnosis they can not. If you… read more

yeah, I don't know how they get away with it either. and no, they originally classifed her with autism about a year ago, before they… read more

@ nlee - The 504 is essentially just the accommodations & modifications page you find on an IEP document, but it only focuses on the… read more

it wouldn't matter anyway. she's missed 50% of her OT sessions so far this year and a handful of speech. she's only behind… read more

That's all they want to do is mainstream him. Not sure why or what the point is. They tell me he will have to be in his classes more… read more

exactly :)

I'm going to answer from a slightly different perspective... spouse of an Aspy. We also have a son who is an Aspy as well as 2 with… read more

@nlee -- OT and SLP services are NOT 504 services. They are IEP services and your daughter should be on an IEP. Get an advocate.

This letter at OASIS/MAAP has an awesome amount of research to support LRE not just being whatever the school has available.

… read more

I was mainstreamed with my schooling and I did just fine, but that is because that was what my mother thought was best for me. Every child is… read more

Thank you @MichelleSarabia! I copied the letter and put it in a file for future use. I appreciate the help! :)

I read most of the above...so forgive me if I repeat. My son was diagnosed in 4th grade. He started school "main streamed" He was… read more

when I was younger it was a mix for me. I was in special ed and regular classes.. my I.e.p. was also mixed I had special ed reading,and… read more

@Joey

Try this quick screening tool... it does not diagnose, but it can help you get a picture of what the doctor is talking about.

… read more

My son's former school mainstreamed him mid year. It did not go well. They were pushing hard for the change. I actually changed schools… read more

It took a long time to think about the question, based on recent experience, I don't mind the pressure of getting my son into regular… read more

CharliesNana, Your question struck me very hard. I have two sons touched by Autism and both have been mainstreamed all their life. My 19 year… read more

Yes.. the teachers are constantly trying to mainstream my child. It's gets annoying because they forget sometimes that he is autistic I… read more

My experience has been that the push to mainstream is not coming from the teachers, or even the schools necessarily, but from the state level.… read more

My child is mainstreamed and has been since a few months into Kindergarten. Of course, each child is different, but my child has done quite… read more

Only you can know whether your child is ready to be mainstreamed. The last 2 years my son has been in an integrated program. He spends part of… read more

@MichelleS thank you for thie link...I know some people who can use that! Ike has been mainstreamed and is doing well! I just have to make… read more

My 15 year old is mainstreamed, and is a brilliant honor student. We home-schooled for all of elementary because of the situation you are… read more

i can tell you from experience of my sons situation it was really rough the younger years but i believe it helped him in a good way he was… read more

I got my son into a mainstream environment as quickly as I could. If he couldn't handle it, I pulled him out of it. But, he has been… read more

Do what you think is best for your child. You know your kid, they may THINK they do, but you know what he can handle. I have a 3rd grader that… read more

If you don't feel your child is ready for being mainstreamed then don't. A lot depends on the reg ed teacher. It works if there is… read more

If it's in the child's best interest, then do it!!!:-)

Before a school district can change a placement, they must evaluate your child. For a student on the spectrum there are many evaluations that… read more

Sorry, technically sound instruments. Other issues are transitioning and social skills. This must be done carefully and slowly. So, if they… read more

Another thing every child on the spectrum is different. I recently represented 1 child who was 4 with an IQ of 125, the kid was smarter than… read more

Our school board suggested we put my Aspie step-son into a special ed program for junior high. We are very glad we kept him in junior high.… read more

PS.. everyone in our family has issues... my dad, my mom, my sis , my brother and my other brother. Good luck!

This can be a very good thing...We have been in the situation where our guy was kept warehoused so he's out of sight/out of mind....We… read more

Mainstream is a good idea only thing is that when your child is first introduced to mainstream it is best to be mainstreamed into a class that… read more

My above post was for another question. Sorry.

I guess it depend on the severity of his Autism, it is such a broad spectrum and my son would not get the physical care and supervision that… read more

I think mainstreaming would be less of an issue overall if they didn't balk at providing services necessary for these kids. I don't… read more

You can always do a 30 trial period with an IEP meeting to decide placement on the 30th day. When the regular ed. teacher is beside herself… read more

Well said, Sally!! I've had to really fight for my son. He's 16, and I'm exhausted!!!:-). I usually try to remain open to the… read more

I think it is a bad idea! I worked in the field with mentally challenged/Autism (all be it, they were adults), I saw what "forcing"… read more

http://www.partnerstx.org/ Try going here. It Partners Resource Network. They would be help for school.

Putting all fear aside as much as you can, look closely and do not ignore your motherly intuition. Pray and if you are not at peace do not… read more

Sometimes, you have to be open to try new things. What makes it hard, is that many times regular Ed teachers don't want to be bothered… read more

Each mom knows there child and should always go with the gut. I can only speak of my experience with our son being Mod/Sev. Autistic,… read more

I agree, @GracieMcConohyNelson!! My son is mainstreamed into Science and PE. It is very frustrating because he is trying so hard to "fit… read more

Least restrictive environment is the goal. I was a mess when they put Nick in regular education 1st grade without an aid! No, he did not do so… read more

Logan is mainstreamed but still has the help of an aid when needed. I think it depends a lot on the child and on the school environment. We… read more

I like that DaFitz pointed on least restrictive environment. I really believe my son benefit better in a mix environment. His academic skill… read more

The least restrictive environment for my 14 y/o is in the resource room by himself for the majority of the day instead of being mainstreamed.… read more

My daughter was put into a mainstream kindergarten class and it was over whelming for her. She wasn't exposed to a lot of the sights and… read more

I agree with Michelle Sambia answer. Very good advice Michelle. I have a 19yr old son who is a Aspie. He was in in full inclusion with team… read more

i think that you need to be open to try mainstream and, if it doesn't work, reschedule a meeting with the IEP team to work things out.

My son started off in a special needs preschool class with 6 kids and 3 adults. When he turned 4, he was in an inclusion preschool class, this… read more

It really helped both my kids to be mainstreamed. They picked up more socially and progressed academically. I have a 1:1 para for my oldest… read more

@kristib4, what is "para"?

I was very nervous to merge into mainstream classes with my twins. They have co-teaching for areas they lag in, and they go to their speech,… read more

You don't have to be offered a one on one. you demand it written in the IEP. You do what makes you most comfortable. Thats whats so funny… read more

The school should have inclusion classes, does it not? My son has been in mainstream, inclusion classes off and on. BUT my son has… read more

A para is a teacher's aide, basically. My kids don't want a 1:1 para because it keeps them singled out and then its harder socially… read more

Mainstreaming has its pros and cons. While its better for their social development, and they dont end up condemed in special ed class...other… read more

my son is pre-k aswell and got diagnosed this year. thankful to a wonderful team of teachers, speech and itenarent teacher he is learning to… read more

It depends on the special education teacher and general education teacher. Many teachers in general ed. are not accepting of children with… read more

This may have been already stated but you are your childs number 1 advocate, you can request as many IEPs as you would like to have, they… read more

Inclusion is not right for every child. You as the child's parent know yer kid better than anyone else. You advocate for him. Trust your… read more

I've always taken a "try it and see" attitude, when mainstreaming was suggested. If it. Didn't work, the teachers were… read more

The other thing to remember is...it's easier to go to an inclusion setting than it would be to go back to a self contained classroom..in… read more

true, that is what I heard as well. it is also harder to switch back to an iep from a 504. my daughter is mainstream and I am unsure if… read more

@nlee1313 if you have a clinical diagnosis your school district has to acknowledge it.

oh, msjanet, one would think :) this is my current battle, trying to get them on board. I never imagined it would be this difficult,… read more

We haven't faced that but in my experience, every time someone else told me what I should do with my son (against my better judgement),… read more

clinical diagnosis comes from a medical doctor not a school district or agency.

yes, well, to a naive parent who really knows no better...hindsight is 20/20 right? plus, that's why we got the two evals, one in this… read more

@nlee1313 check with your State run Mental Health Agency for pediatrics. Or a nuerologist.

yes, we did. that is who the first eval is through. strangely enough, the school is the one who directed us there to begin with, then never… read more

@nlee1313 check with your Advocacy office for people with disabilities. A clinical diagnosis is law, there is no legal way any one can dispute… read more

hmm, I will definitely look into that. thank you so much! :)

In the school where I taught last, the one on one assistant worked in the classroom as an extra teacher's assistant, who was available to… read more

they are not disputing her diagnosis but refusing it altogether. I have one more outside eval to bring in and according to our state laws, it… read more

I had to move out of one district and have my son re-evaluated to keep him in the appropriate program.

@nlee - If you get two or more diagnoses that agree, the school continues to refuse it, and your child is struggling academically or in… read more

@Aimantkot, my son has had an Autism Support Teacher for the last 4 years. This person serves as a liaison between him, the mainstream… read more

Thank you so much for your post. I am moving to Tucson/Vail in June (next month!) and have a 5 year old son on the spectrum with speech &… read more

Thanks, @JackiSpohnPrettyman, for clarifying what a para is. That's what I thought.

@JasonSRing, make adjustments to your child's IEP prior to moving, if possible!! This will give you more leverage in the new school… read more

Good morning Ma'am and thank you so much or the recommendations. Thankfully, the IEP team here is very proactive and lined up an IEP… read more

Donny is in a program for autistic kids, and its a blessing since he has adhd and odd as well. his little brother is in integrated classes,… read more

That's great that he is in jazz band. My son loves to dance, and he talks to his PS3 friends all the time. Of course I monitor that as… read more

Well said, @SallyRistaAnderson!!!!:-)

I have mixed feelings as my son will be going to an intermediate school. He will spend a certain amount of time out of his regular classroom,… read more

I am thrilled with the decision to mainstream my son. I was concerned, like you when he was young. Elementary school is a rather protected… read more

Congrats, to your son, @Danick74, that is wonderful!:-)

@Danick74, thank you so much for sharing and HUGE CONGRADTS!! So many spec ed kids have talents and gifts just like every child does and it is… read more

Good luck wiqtqh the movqe,@JasqonSRing!!!:-)

I should be so lucky. My son was mainstreamed for everything but two subjects in grade school. Now finishing his junior year he has NO… read more

The public school system is still laboring under the concept that the "Least Restrictive Environment" is always in the so-called… read more

I think that it is critical for all of us to stress the word individual in iep. Keeping a child in a segregated class will deprive them of… read more

we pushed through elememtary school, mostly fighting and losing every battle with the school,they did not want to accomodate my son at all. he… read more

Back when my son was entering school, they actually pressured me to put him in a special autism class they had. My issue was the kids were… read more

I think that we all have to realize that no one thing works for every child. The schools focus is to fix our children. But maybe they should… read more

Listening to all your stories I am grateful for the services the school provides my kids. Donny isn't ready to be in mainstream school,… read more

I am in favor of 'reverse mainstreaming' - bringing the so called 'typical' world into our world first. Creating bonds and… read more

It's to bad we don't have more school like this.

My grandson has Aspergers, I am not so sure in his case that special ed is required, however I do think that the teachers require special Ed… read more

It ALL depends on the child. Awesome if the child is able to be mainstreamed. The thing with Autism is that EVERY KID IS DIFFERENT.

Someone mentioned giving the teachers a book. Since I am friends with many teachers and am now a teacher myself (of nurses) I know that a book… read more

I offered the principal a very good book I was reading about Autism and he told me he wouldn't read it, It took alot of work just to get… read more

Is it possible for you to get an advocate? Someone with knowledge of the education system that can assist you with regards to getting the… read more

my daughter goes to a class where she is mainstreamed as much as she can into the general ed class, but then allowed to return to the AI… read more

I think a book is too much to ask an educator to read. I brought a notebook about Klinefelter Syndrome to my son's teacher with relative… read more

My youngest daughter was mainstreamed this year (she's PDD). Fortunately, this teacher was an EC teacher in the past and adores my… read more

I think it depends on the and severity of Autism your child, if your child is verbal and has the personality it could be a good think, but if… read more

My daughter Callee had a rocky start to Kindergarten because the public school she was going to was expecting her to perform and comply just… read more

@NCAutismMom -

I always believe in inclusion. They shouldn't even be using "mainstreaming" as a term any more. And, it… read more

I think you hit it on the head. We are looking for inclusion. NOf mainstreaming which implies the same curriculum with a little help.… read more

You are the final word on this...I personally do not like the school pressuring you to get him out of special ed. But...If you feel your child… read more

I am a parent of an ASD son , grand parent of an autistic grand son and aspergers grand daughter. I am an SLP whose heart is with these kids.… read more

Hey there, I first introduced mainstreaming my son Nicolas when he was in Kindergarten. The first attempt failed miserably because he was not… read more

There's no special ed section of life, so I think mainstreaming is important to the social development of our kids. Sometimes our kids… read more

My grandson has been in Special Ed since 3-1/2 and they started mainstreaming him in 2nd grade beginning with 45 minutes every day and working… read more

I do want to remind all you asperger/PDDNOS parents that these same kids who are academically gifted, after high school and college are more… read more

I so agree. Schools worry so much about academics but are basically clueless about social skills which is why our kids don't get or keep… read more

Yes, @amyjane, it has been done. I heard about on Episode 96 of autism pocast. Episode 96 | Dr. Scott Standifer Discusses Services for Adults… read more

Schools aren't clueless about social skills training... there are not enough resources (although they are not allowed to say it) and… read more

I am impressed by all the advice and information that I found here. As a former Special Ed teacher, I believe: the classroom and teacher that… read more

You should feel worried for Ryan. Not all teachers are schools are created equal. How about half day and he can spend time in autism room.… read more

This just came up on my highlights tonight, and I know it's an old conversation, but I was wondering what you decided. We're not… read more

@littlefroggysmom - it really depends more on the staff of the individual school you are looking at. I strongly recommend shopping around… read more

I started my son in special ed when he started school. He is now 10. The last 2 1/2 years we had him in regular ed. He was miserable! We put… read more

I've decided to treat my son as if he was not diagnosed with anything. I've always felt that he was he same as any other child out… read more

@ lattia How old is your son? I know the younger you start the easier it is to transition. You must have had wonderful teachers that knew what… read more