High functioning autism and mainstream school

[monkeytoes]

Can anyone tell me about their experience with a high functioning autistic child at a mainstream school?

1. How much time do they get with an Aide?
2. Who decides when/what the Aide will be assisting with?
3. Do you get to have a regular meeting to discuss issues with the teacher and the Aide?
4. Does your child have a reduced workload or modified program (IEP)?

DD (5yrs) has only just been diagnosed and will be in Prep next year. I am worried about her falling further behind.

Thanks!

[Prickle]

I'm in the process of applying for funding for Prep next year for my daughter, but her dx is CP. But while I was talking to the Deputy Principle she was telling me they're cracking down on funding for autism and making it harder. She also told me that the funding you get for Prep can carry through to year 6 or you can reapply at anytime but it could go either way (more funding or less). Apparently they have a boy in year 6 there that was recieving level 3 funding but when they did his year 6 review he was no longer considered elligible.


I honestly can't understand their logic for cutting back on Autism funding, these kids need assistance both in the classroom and in the playground. It's heartbreaking.

I really hope you manage to get at least a level 3... and keep it.

The school is given the funding, they then work out (with you) how it needs to be spent and how much aide time (or therapy time, speech, OT or PT if needed) you will get out of it. The teacher will know her daily program and will know when your child will need help and yes you will get to meet with the teacher and aide's (often they use a couple shared around) for regular info swapping. Also daily if they need to tell you something important or vica versa.

[babalooba]

I'm not much help as my son has only been diagnosed within the last 6 months. He is 6. I am finding it hard getting a straight answer about EXACTLY what help he will get with his funding either from the school or his paed. It can be really frustrating and I wish you and your DD the best I'll be interested to read what experiences other have had.

[Zombie_eyes]

My son has classic autism, about 50th percentile, so not heaps bad but not high functioning either, although most people have no idea when we tell them.

Anyways at our school he gets 30mins a day with an aide... and the aide is shared between him and another child.

But they also do occupational therapy two afternoons a week which he participates in which really helps.

Unfortunately its at the schools discretion how the funding is used... Some of our funding goes to paying the teacher more because she restructures certain things for my son (but not overly) we were told some will even be used for admi istration costs because of the paper work that is involved with my son...

He does not have a reduced workload at all, and we have a metting with his teacher once a term, the aide wasnt there for any of despite me requesting it, because i could only attend the meeting outside of school hours.

The teacher decides what aide helps with, based on what she knows my child struggles with I.e comprehension tasks at reading time.