As the 2014 school year begins, here are some recommended questions for parents to ask while seeking the right educational program for a child with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) or related disabilities:
• What are the credentials of the staff, and who will be around your child?
• What is the schedule for the day's activities? Will parents be allowed to observe the classroom before enrolling their child?
• What therapies does the school/program provide? Can private therapists work with your child at the school?
• How does the staff communicate with parents?
• Does the school/program create opportunities for parents to meet and network?
• Will parents be allowed to participate in the IEP?
• How many children attend the program? What is the staff-to-child ratio? Are the children divided into groups by age or in some other way?
• How often are the teaching staff trained to work with exceptional children? Is INCLUSION one of the training topics? What experience has the staff had in working with children with special needs?
• What is the discipline policy?
• If your child is unable or would prefer not to do an activity (e.g. swimming or a field trip), what is the alternate activity?
• If your child would like to do a certain activity but may need additional support, is the staff willing to make individualized accommodations (such as help changing into a swimsuit, headphones during loud times, help with using the bathroom, feeding, etc.)?
• Are staff members willing to have a support person come in to facilitate inclusion efforts for your child and others?
• Does the school/program create opportunities for parents to share positive and negative experiences?
These questions would serve as a guide to parents of children with ASD or other special needs in making their choices for their child's education. In the end, the goal of any special needs program is to make the child feel successful, learn new skills and feel good about themselves as they grow into productive adults.
• What are the credentials of the staff, and who will be around your child?
• What is the schedule for the day's activities? Will parents be allowed to observe the classroom before enrolling their child?
• What therapies does the school/program provide? Can private therapists work with your child at the school?
• How does the staff communicate with parents?
• Does the school/program create opportunities for parents to meet and network?
• Will parents be allowed to participate in the IEP?
• How many children attend the program? What is the staff-to-child ratio? Are the children divided into groups by age or in some other way?
• How often are the teaching staff trained to work with exceptional children? Is INCLUSION one of the training topics? What experience has the staff had in working with children with special needs?
• What is the discipline policy?
• If your child is unable or would prefer not to do an activity (e.g. swimming or a field trip), what is the alternate activity?
• If your child would like to do a certain activity but may need additional support, is the staff willing to make individualized accommodations (such as help changing into a swimsuit, headphones during loud times, help with using the bathroom, feeding, etc.)?
• Are staff members willing to have a support person come in to facilitate inclusion efforts for your child and others?
• Does the school/program create opportunities for parents to share positive and negative experiences?
These questions would serve as a guide to parents of children with ASD or other special needs in making their choices for their child's education. In the end, the goal of any special needs program is to make the child feel successful, learn new skills and feel good about themselves as they grow into productive adults.
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