Autistic brother not getting help, what to do?

Question

Hi I have a brother who is 12 and autistic and goes to a special school. He has not made alot of friends (although that is not a serious problem) as he would probably make closer ones in year nine/8th grade. Our only concern is that he is not getting enough support as his intellegence doesnt seem to have improved, it is as if he hasnt learnt anything since day 1. We had to appeal for him to get into school and since he has been into the school they have complained about many things, one being that teachers and pupils have complained about his BO on him and his items which we then smelt his books/bags and him and have not noticed anything. My parents are thinking of taking him out of this school to go somewhere else to get more support. What should we do? Send him to a mainstream school? I am fourteen btw and HELP!

Answer 1

The smell thing may be due to other students having a hypersensitivity to smell. The teachers are probably just relaying the message about things that to other students 'smell' so that they can better support all students in the class.

With the BO issue you can start teaching him how to use deodorant (if he doesn't already) or remind him to put it on more often.

How long has he been at the school. It may be that the improvements he has made are subtle ones. It may also be that he is still trying to adjust.

Answer 2

Congratulations on being a great brother.   When one school doesn't work, move on to another.  True, it maybe when something doesn't seem to work it may be it just takes time and with kids like that it takes a long time to adjust.   But, on the other hand, if the situation doesn't seem to be helping then don't be afraid to change schools.    

Mainstream for some kids is great, but not for all.

The reason is kids get exposed to new things and new ideas that in a special school they would never get exposed too.  In many ways that causes them to grow and learn more and a lot of times it makes them come out of their shell.     I am not going to say that works for everyone.    But in this situation,  I think its best suited for developmentally delayed but it could work for others.   But there are no guarantees and everything we do is a risk.   But it could be a risk worth taking.   If it doesn't work out you can go back to square one.

Some teachers will talk you out and scare the h**l of out you for taking risks.   Don't be afraid.  That is how we learn and grow and that is how you will figure out what is best for your brother.  You will always know what's best if you just follow your heart.

Answer 3

Think about this - if a student with Autism is in a special school with other students who also have Autism - and Autism impacts social interactions - who do they model?  How do they learn to interact socially?

Along with Autism Spectrum Disorder can come a decrease in cognitive capacity.  Sometimes it is minor or only in a small area - sometimes it in a significant area like Reading or number sense.  The best approach to teaching students is Multi-model - using a variety of ways to teach the same thing.

The role of Special Education services is not to make someone smarter but to allow them to use the capacity they have to be as much as they can be.  People closer to the situation - like your parents - need to asses if this program is supporting his growth.

Answer 4

Check out this site...post your question there and you should get some good feedback!  Good luck!

S

http://www.mdjunction.com/autism

Answer 5

Please do NOT send him to public school! Believe me, it will be worse.

Here's a message board with lots of people who can really help you, you have to sign up for free to post on the board --

http://millermom.proboards107.com/index....

Answer 6

Is this a placement thru the school district?

I can tell you what a good school/program looks like...It will have the following:

a full time counselor

no more than 12 kids to 2 teachers & 1 aide

social skills training once a wek

occupational therapy at least once a week

sensory equipment & therapy

adaptive gym

speech/language therapy once a week

individualized work based on the student's ability

a positive behavioral program

The fact is, most public schools aren't able to provide for kids on the spectrum, unless they're really amazing. And most kids on the spectrum do better in small classes with individualized help. Neurotypical (normal) kids aren't very kind to them & they don't have the skills to defend themselves.

The problem is most of the schools for autistic kids can deliver on the life skills needs, but not on the educational needs. My son is 13, with aspergers & a high-gifted IQ. We've had to compromise on the school work & supplement at home in order to give him the environment he needs. Its a challenge & you have to compromise.

As for social skills, kids with autism need rote practice & social skills training (think ABC's for social interaction). They just don't pick up on it because their brains aren't wired for it. There's a great book called Social Skills for Special Kids (there's also one called Life Skills for Special Kids) which have lessons in them, which might help with his understanding of social skills.

I hope this helps you to understand what your family should be looking for in a program. Look at private schools, collaborative programs (when towns get together & pool resources to create special classrooms) & go to your state's special education page to see what schools are approved. You really have to go visit the schools to see if they work. MAAPS has a website where you can print out a checklist of what to look for in a school. Its a Mass. site, but the checklist would work for any state.

Answer 7

I would surely have him tested by a by psycologist to see at what grade level his mental capicity is right now, being autistic is like other mental deases they learn at different grade levels.   dont lose hope my son-in-law is autistic/asberges syndromb and he has gotten a degree in Dr. of Philosphy but he hasn't  any common sense I had to tell him at the age of 39 years old that he had to keep himself clean with clean clothes and no body odor, His wife had to teach him how to properly take a bath.  you have a long road ahead of you  but never give up its a life time venture.  April