BellaOnline Forums Education Special Education Mainstreaming in Regular Classroom?

Hi people out there. How would you possibly say that an exceptional child that is currently at special school would be ready for mainstreaming in the regular classroom? Thanks! God bless!

Hi Marion, I'm Connie, the ADD editor and I currently teach in a special day school. I'm sure that other readers also have information.

Here are things that I look for:

Does the child feel ready to go outside of the special school?
Does the child WANT to go? (Some do not!)
Is the child able to manage frustration?
Can the child wait for help, or does help need to be immediate?
What has the child's classroom behavior been like over the past three months?
If the child has mood cycles, where are they in the cycle?
How are the child's academics?
Can the child advocate appropriately for himself?
Is the parent ready to advocate for the child?

This is by no means a total list, but it is something to think about.

If the child has ADD as well as other special education needs, there is other school-related information on the ADD site.

Marion -
I work as a special education teacher in a school with increasing mainstreaming due to budget issues and parental pressure. I would add to Connie's excellent list that you want to find out what support systems are in place at the school you are considering. The occupational therapist and speech therapist work really closely with me, and I have paraeducators to help support students in the classroom. I also have specialists available to consult with. The teachers in my school are also supportive as long as they have support.

That said, this is the fifth state I have worked in, and not every school I have worked in had the same level of support. Do check things out before making the leap. Good luck!