Autism and starting school

[RHJ]

My son is only 4 in July, so won't start school for another 2 years, yet, but i am thinking a lot about it lately. ( i guess due to my eldest starting this year)
My DS has a near normal IQ (was just one or 2 points below "normal") and socially is quite good so far, although more traits are appearing as he is getting older. He attends childcare with no problems, and the only intervention he is doing currently is speech and occasional behavoural therapy.

My question is, will he need an aide at school? Will he get one? and how do we go about trying to find out about all this, as i have heard some people say that you have to apply very early for them, or you may not get them in the child's first year at school.

I know it is a while off, but any info would be helpful just to ease my curiosity. There seems to be a ton of info on early intervention for children with autism, but i am finding it harder to find info about primary school aged children etc.

[sunshine_kat_86]

hello, im in the same boat as you.
natalie is 4 this year in september , and she is well in advance in other stuff, her speach is well below, and she been attending speach therapy for a while, The public waiting list it just far to long, as she will be in school next year b4 anything would be done. so i had to look in the yellow pages and find my self a developmental ped's . No normal GP would help me!
the ped's had requested her to go for an autism assement what does cost approx $700 upwards, But if she falls into the catagory she will get all the help and teachers aids at school , but if she doesnt, its back to the public system. Natalie isnt Global autism, but their may be a small autism their, with her speach. Ive tried to go for a carers allowance to help pay for her test, But no luck their. The goverment sytem sucks , and you really gota take things into your own hands, and just pay for the top care
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[onelasttime]

In regards to schooling my ds is 5 this yr and is starting school next year. He was diagnoised with high function asd at 2. I took him out of daycare and put him into full time early intervention and omg helped him so much. He is so ready for school academically but still lack social skills. The place he is now helps him transition into school. I would find a school with special ed departments and a small school. Next year when he starts prep i will do half at school and half at his early intervention in the first term so if there are issues at school his intervention program will help him!
Once they are over 6 theres not much out there to help kids with autism. The best help you can give is a lot of intensive therapy before age of 6!

[smog]

hi, my ds has apsergers syndrome and oppositional defiant disorder.

i started the aide ball rolling with the primary school 6 months before he started and they said that would be fine and he would have an aide to start with, but then some hold up saw him not getting it till 6 months into kindy:rolleyes:. i think the intitail paperwork was sent off then came back requesting a speecho report so had to get that sent in then wait again. to be honest i was a bit annoyed our school didnt know he would need that report anyway as there are a few other asd kids at the school. but yes i would open the lines of communication with the school as soon as you are ready to.
i think your child will receive aide time. probably not an all day thing, i think more often its like an hour or two a day type of thing.
im aware that my son receives more aide time for his ODD than he does for his ASD and i think he gets between an hr an 2 hrs per day depending on the day.

[RHJ]

Thanks, i will have another chat with my oldest son's teacher and see what she recommends. Will also chat to his therapists too when i next see them.

[MyFourCubs]

We are in the same boat here, too. My Alex was 4 in janaury but I will hold him back so he starts 2011. he is high functioning, speech is delayed but getting much better, almost within "normal" limits and he attends regular pre-school and early intervention. he has an aid at pre-school but as far as I am aware that just means he has an extra person in his room- it's not for him specifically, iynwim.

Alex is very bright (yes, i'm biased, lol) but no, really- he is well advanced in maths, problem solving, numbers etc and his letter / word recognition is great. HOWEVER, socially he will struggle at school and he doesn't deal well with transition, change in routine etc. I am dreading it!!

Alex goes to dept of ed early intervention and that will be stepped up next year. His speechy says there is also a local transition to school program he can do as well. We flat out can't afford to send him to a specific Autism school so unfortunately he will likely go to a mainstream school with a special ed unit. My dd's school is at present BUILDING A DISBILITY / SPECIAL NEEDS BLOCK!!!!:smiliedance: OMG I will be SO EXCITED if he is able to attend her school so :fingerscrossed: but either way we will be applying for funding for him so I really should look into that...........

I am praying that the next year and a half of EI and speech, etc will make a big difference to where he ends up.

[alanasmum]

For anyone in Victoria, the Autism Victoria website has some info on starting school and applying for funding. Hope that helps.

[RHJ]

For anyone in Victoria, the Autism Victoria website has some info on starting school and applying for funding. Hope that helps.

Thanks, I had looked there but couldn't see first time around. Went and had another look and eventually found it so thought i would add a link for others.
http://www.autismvictoria.org.au/services/school_years.php

[RHJ]

I was speaking with his Behavioral therapist today, he thinks Hayden has very little chance of getting an aide at school. Said from what he has seen he isn't likely to get one as he is high functioning and that most of the HF Autistic kids he knows don't have them.