Therese

[Guest guest]

<<There are a lot of placement options and she can move about from class to

class for things she chooses to participate in like art. Plus they have a

great facility with a stellar community based job program. So I'm trying to

work

within the system to get her what she needs. Therese>>

Hi, Everyone...Therese...this is all we can do for our kids. We need to

consider the past settings that worked, the present settings that may work, and

what's down the road. But....there is no reason to place a child in the most

restrictive environment just because of their labels. I think that's the

main gist here. What worked for Gareth K-5 needed to be adjusted 6-8th grades.

Sometimes, what we as parents want isn't always the best for our

kids....it's a hard truth to accept, and, yes, there are times when we fight

that truth

within ourselves. So often we look back at our kids as being ONLY ds and

that they should be included in everything for their own good, etc., but then

the reality hits that, because of the autism, our kids can't do it. I am sure

Gareth would love to be in with all the regular kids, act like they do, etc.,

but in reality, he can't handle the loudness, commotion, inconsistencies of

regular classes, perfume smells, wet hair look, high pitched girls squealing,

etc. Go with your heart and gut feelings and she'll be fine.

Take care, Everyone.

Margaret