going to view autistic unit attached to school tomorrow. What should i look for/ask????

[bonkerz]

Going to view autistic unit attached to school tomorrow. What should i look for? What questions should i ask?
Am going to look as it doesnt look like DS will be at his school for much longer as exclusions in use. Still havent got a diagnosis but ED Psyhch has recommended we look at the special units than can cater for DSs behaviour and social problems. I know i need to check how they would meet DSs needs academically but what other things should i be aware of?

Gut instinct.

You know your son and what would be best for him.

Don't just do one visit, do a few. Can you take son with you? not at this visit, but maybe later on?

Ask other parents at any support groups you lnow, NAS etc. Their members should be able to provide useful information.

I think the teacher is pretty crucial - is she a good communicator, does she seem full of engergy and enthusiasm. I went to see one where the teacher just seemed so have lost hope, and I later found out that this was reflected in the lacklustre teaching going on within the unit (a friend of mine got to go in as a TA and reported back). I think that to teach ASD kids you have to be a better communicator than a normal teacher, and sometimes that's not the kind of people who you get. Also, do they let the kids stim in their free time. My friend the TA observed one child spend 15 minutes while in the unit licking a mirror, and not one of the teachers redirected him. But I don't want to be negative as I have also heard of some fantastic units, run by really motivated teachers. You might also ask how much integration there is with the mainstream classes - eg is it just for PE, or do they get integrated into other classes if they are up to it? Good luck!

Bonkerz, if it is not too late, consider this as well. How would you ds feel being in a unit attached to a school? I have a ds with Aspergers and I know that he would hate to be in a unit attached to a normal mainstream school, it would push him over the edge (he's close already anyway). I suspect your ds is an intelligent little boy and if his self esteem is suffering, it may be worth your while seeing if you can go and visit specialist specific ASD schools. I think you mentioned The Priory before? Go visit them, I did and it is definitely an eye opener. If that would suit you ds more, stick to your guns and fight the LEA to get your ds the right educational placement for HIM not the LEA. Good luck.