Schools down syndrome?

Question

my son has down syndrome and some health problems and is about to go in to school

is there any argument for special school...

which in your opinion is better main stream or special

Answer 1

Hi Sylv ....as you know Thomas has autism and does attend a special school, what you have to look at depending on the care Alex needs will a mainstream school be able to cope with his needs along with a class of 30+ kids, Thomas attends a school at have many assistants to help, for me it wasn't an option it had to be a special school and the education board agreed as Thomas is nine non verbal and still in nappies,

Answer 2

In a mainstreamed setting with special education department a Down's Syndrome child is able to learn to function in the real world with the help and training he/she needs.  They no longer need to be completely isolated.  A well rounded education with the additional training of learning money handling skills, buying, life skills, living on their own, asking the right questions and so on they are able to live a productive and wonderful life.

Answer 3

I can tell from a few feet away if a child has been in inclusive education or not. They have different posture, they walk differently, they make eye contact differently, and they converse differently and about different things.  If you want to raise a child who will always seem different - an outsider - then the better quality education will be found in special education. But if you want a child who will be accepted for their difference and find their place among their peers - inclusive education is best.

Answer 4

Main school. I don't agree with 'special school's' for people with such disabilities. They should all be treated the same.

Answer 5

put him in a regular school because he would get a better understanding of life

Answer 6

My brother is almost 9 and he's autistic. Part of the day he's in a special education class and sees his speech and occupational therapist. The other half he's in a mainstream classroom. He does very well and takes direction from the other children despite the fact that he is non-verbal. I think it's important to balance what's in the best interest of your child's education (and abilities) with the social experience of a school. I see no benefit in isolating them or keeping them with other special needs students if they can follow a curriculum. In my brother's case, he cannot so it benefits him more to attend a special needs class part of the day to get the kind of specific instruction he does need. He LOVES school. I hope your son does too!

Answer 7

I have taught children who started off in mainstream at their parents choice. Inthe first few years they thrived in that environment and had a happy school experience. It has to be said, however, that most of these parents after 2 or 3 years realised that more of a gap developed and they made, at times, heart-wrenching decisions to move their child to Special schools.

We often kept in touch as the children had made good friendships and parents often felt that their child was happier having been moved.

Hope this helps!  Good Luck making your decision!!

Answer 8

Ches is right =)

Answer 9

main

in my school there is many children with downs they do the same things near enough and never feel like there differeant from anyone else. they have amazing teachers to help and support them when they need to they cook they do sports maths science just like evry other child just ith that little more help. good luck x x x

Answer 10

It totally depends on your child.  Every child with downs is different.  I have a duaghter in mainstream and a son in special school.  

If your son needs extra help that cant be provided with support in mainstream then it wont hurt to look at a special school.  Wherever he ends up going he will need a statement of special educational needs.  I would get in contact with the local education authority and ask about statementing.  An educational psychologist (this happens for all children with statements)will need to asses his needs and will then make his recommendations.  He will also listen to what you have to say.  

I wouldnt say that one is BETTER than the other.  Not knowing your son I wouldnt like to say that mainstrean is more SUITABLE than special and vice versa.  

I have a friend whose son has downs and he goes to mainstream with support.  For him that was best, because he benefited from being around children without disabilities, it bought his speech and behaviour on loads.  Being in a special school could have prevented my friends son from developing, only because the other children were physically disabled and had no speech or lang.  Thats not saying special schools are bad, because they are not.  I wish sometimes my daughter could go, purely because they do some really fab things with the kids and go out on the mini bus and go swimming EVERY week.  They also treat the childern as individuals, which in mainstream children can someties get lost.  

I'm sorry if I have given you more to think about.  If youtry mainstream and find he doesnt get on there, there is nothing wrong with changing.  At the end of the day the schools want whats best for your son and if that means changing then so be it.

Good Luck.

I

Answer 11

Most mainstreams now have very good facilities to be able to offer appropriate care and education for all children. But your best options is probably to go look at all the schools in your area and chat to teachers and have a look around. Just because a child is a special school doesnt mean it's a good school-if that makes any sense :)

Answer 12

my 12 year old brother is downs and started secondary school in September a special needs one if he would of gone to main stream he would of got lost in the bustle of it as he is quite timid and like someone else said kids can be cruel.He has always been in special school and has thrived on the extra support and he absolutley loves it which is how school should be if he had gone to mainstream maybe it would of been a different story.I think sometimes it can depend on the idividual child but my vote from expierience gos to special school where the resourses are in place to meet exactly what each child needs

All the best to you and your son

Answer 13

no simple answer youll do what you think is best-my son is autistic and i had no choice but to send him to mainstream-hes exceptional;ly clever and an absolute star-hes in the 2nd year of high school but ask me if there had of been a  special needs school for him  years ago then yes id have sent him there

Answer 14

I teach children with special educational needs and I have done so in mainstream schools, SEN schools and mainstream with specialist provision

In my experience, there is no single answer to this.

Mainstream: You have to consider the attitudes of the school staff. Do they embrace children with special needs or are they accepting children grudgingly? What is the school roll? Staff expertise? Policies and procedures? And many more?

SEN:Would sending your son to a specialist school cater for his needs more comprehensively including the advantage of much saller class sizes and specialist resources?

Unit attached to Mainstream: Would a mainstream school with specialist unit attached allow your son to integrate where appropriate with intensive support at all other times?

You know your child. Visit each type of school and make your decision.

Good luck.

Answer 15

my niece is 3 in july and will be going to mainstream school her mum is adamant that seperating her from so called "normal" children only breeds more prejudice against down syndrome. most children are in primary are not cruel but tend to look after smaller more vunerable children. secondary school is a whole different ball game though and her mum knows that she may feel differently when that time comes. it is however a proven fact that special needs kids do better when integrated into mainstream

good luck x*x

Answer 16

Don't Main stream yet...Main streaming will be too hard, and kids can and WILL BE cruel.

Special ed is the way to go, because they teach the kids at the level that they NEED to be teached.

The classes are smaller, say  8 kids vs 25 kids.

Wait till your child is older say Jr.High. and if he wants to try Main streaming, they will be able to mix Special Ed with Mainstreaming...

Answer 17

Main Stream.

My cousin's little boy has learning difficulties and goes to a main stream village primary school.  The other kids there get to know and see how to deal with someone who has learning difficulties properly at an early age.