Asperger Social Development and Behavior patterns

[Masten]

I have 5 year old child who was diagnosed with Asperger at the age of 2 1/2.  My child is in a classroom of 12:1 ratio, Each child has an aide including my son. My son has a high IQ and is high function and talks in sentences compare to his peers.  The makeup of his class 4 Downs Syndrome, 1 CP and 1 Austism.  All of these children speak one syllable words, they do not talk much. I have noticed that since my son has been in this class he has picked up some unusal gestures, stemming behaviors and sounds that he did not do before.

I notice when he comes home he is more riled, aggressive than relaxed.  I sense that he might be not stimulated enough and that his social skills are being hindered, instead of improving and eventually his I.Q. will be hindered.  My pediatrican and neurologist feel he is wrongly placed,they suggest a school that specializes in Austim (which we have found) or placing him in a regular kindergarden with an 1:1 aide.

What is your opinion and advice?  Is there a research on homogensis or research that children Asperger should be with others like themselves or mainstreamed with one on one. Need to compile research to show that he is wrongly placed.

Thank you.

Masten

[peachrose]

The problem with a one-on-one aide is that often the teacher is inclined to leave the curriculum/behavior modification to the aide because she is there just for that child. So if this is an option you choose, make sure that you get a teacher who teaches all children and the aide only assists as needed.

[DB47]

The proper place to read about other parents with AS kids, AS adults experiences and to ask for advice for your kid and assistence programs is the OASIS forum.
You go to: http://www.aspergersyndrome.org/  
Then subscribe (free for their basic) and then go to the AS support forum.

The link provided above is only for AS adults and may be scary for a parent to read without previous knowledge because there is some talk that show how disabling AS can be for some.

Keep in mind that many AS people are fairly well adjusted as adults and those don't tend to post in such places.

AS is a developmental disorder and most people learn to compensate more or less by the time they are adults.

Ask in the forum for books about how to go to get the right assistence in school, how to help your kid and browse thru the OASIS bookstore.
See if your library has some of those books or buy them.

Homeschooling is only an option if the parent can do so, something not that many can.
My parents tried it thru two summers, when school was out. They were both teachers.
That time was as stressful as the regular school, if for other reasons than the terrible social situation at school (that they were not aware of).

Do not accept any one recommendation as the right one because it worked for someone else. Be critical, thinking it thru carefully, if it may be appropiated for your whole family and affected child.
AS being a developmental disorder, it will be highly individual in it's expression.

[dwtrekkie01]

Though slightly off-topic, it's for the benefit of your son, so as someone with AS, let me give you one very large peice of advice: home-school him.

I endured 10 years of "normal" schooling, all of it before we knew I had AS.  I'm 19 now, and the result of the stress and trauma endured for those 10 years had reduced me to a shut-in who has anxiety attacks at the serious mention of the word school in relation to myself.  Your son will - I have no doubt - endure similar torment and torture.  Not by the class mates you've made mention of, but by any child that is not of similar circumstances.

It's not just my experience talking, ask some other Aspies... http://forums.delphiforums.com/aspies and they'll say the same thing.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

The fundamental question that needs to be addressed is this: Are the goals in your son's IEP appropriate for him and, if they are, are they being met in his current setting? Research will not lead you to the appropriate setting, and there are not investigations that will answer your question. I would be irresponsible to lead you to think that youur cause will be furthered by such documentation. Your description of the class composition indicates that there may inded be reason to questiion its suitability for your son. A classroom with such an array of special needs is unlikely to be suitable. But the answer to this dilemma is right in front of you: examine the IEP and each of its academic, communication, social/emotional goals (as well as any others), and see if (a) the goals are able to be addressed via the current setting and (b), if they are, in actuality are they being met. Each IEP must be reviewed on an annual basis for exactly that purpose. If you are able to document, via your son's specific accomplishments and the content of the curriculum, that the goals are not able to be met, then consideration of alternative settings is appropriate. When a school district is unable to meet a child's needs via their own programs, it is incumbent on the district to seek out-of-district placement. Such settings are often rather expensive, and many districts are wary of referring children due to the significant tuition and transportation costs. But the special education regulations, including appeals procedures, give you the foundation on which you can proceed. If necessary, obtain the services of an advocate, but be careful if you proceed down that road. Advocates can be costly, and you'll want to be sure that the advocate is capable. In some areas, advocates are available through voluntary agencies, and it's well worth exploring the options.