Has Your Child Been in a "Structured Classroom?"

It actually might be very beneficial to switch schools. They are often so much better for a child in this situation. Structured classrooms are probably small, and they get all sorts of attention. I would guess too that your school might simply not have financial resources or funding to pay good people skilled in these areas and another might have funding from programs or government. You can try it. It simply sounds like a suggestion and not a demand.

My 16 yo dtr has Asperger's and ADD. We had her diagnosed in about 2nd grade for the ADD and about 5th for the ASD. My son has ADHD and is 13. He was diagnosed about 5th grade also. Both of them have IEP's in school, does your son?

Neither of my kids have been in a "structured" classroom but both have left for "resource" which is a class that helps them one on one with what they are struggling with...both are math and my son needs extra help with reading comp. They also have some adjustments to the amount of work they complete but generally are in the same classes as the "typical" kids.

I know this can be overwhelming but usually these kids have a "team" to help them. Have you met with the teacher and the special ed staff and the school psych? They all should be familiar with your sons strengths and weaknesses and be able to guide you to what will help him the most. ASD issues are much bigger than not being able to sit still and/or follow directions. My daughter doesn't have a problem with either of those things actually. The point is, the school staff is VERY familiar with kids that have some learning challenges and should be able to direct you appropriately. They too want what's best for him and will do what they can to help him the most. So maybe start there, with the spec ed staff at school. Good luck.

I don't have a child with Asperger's, but my friend is familiar with Structured classrooms. She lives in a different area but they offer them there.

The way she describes it is that it is a very supportive environment for kids who have behavioral concerns that interfere with learning in a typical classroom. So they focus on how to manage emotions and behaviors that get in the way of learning, I believe with the goal to integrate the kids back into typical classrooms.

We don't have that at our school but we have a Learning Center for the kids who have behavioral/emotional challenges (so kids spend half the day there), and our Resource Center/Room is more for kids who struggle academically.

I would look into it - best thing you can probably do is just get as much information as you can and go with a list of questions. Arrange a meeting and speak to the people in the know.

It must be difficult navigating all this without truly understanding what he needs and what's offered out there. I would imagine changing schools would be hard, we've done it and our kids did adjust. If what they offer will make his experience more positive overall, it's just worth looking into. Good Luck :)

I'm not minimizing your son's issues but lots of typical kids have issues sitting still, following directions and getting used to a classroom environment etc. If the structured classroom has other high functioning kids like your son then I would consider it but if the classroom had non verbal kids and kids with IQ's below 80 then I would not place a child with an asperger's diagnosis in that classroom.

no, but i've heard about them and think i have a basic understanding of how they work.
'open' classrooms were all the rage for a while. that was how it was when my older was in middle school, which was indeed a while back. but the premise was that the open environment would be more interesting, more stimulating, and would model more closely the average 'real life' work environment.
i'm sure their hearts were in the right place.
but for many kids, and certainly most of the aspies i've met over the years, too much wide-open 'stimulation' is simply too much distraction. a structured classroom, ie one that doesn't have lots of bright fooferalls everywhere and lots of 'stations' will help an aspie hone his strength- and most of them have a ferocious degree of focus when allowed to, don't they? if a kid on the spectrum is having repeated meltdowns it's often due to too much stimulation and not being allowed to focus that gimlet glare on what it is they're interested in.
i don't think it's about isolation. it's exactly what your therapist says, it's a respite from sensory overload.
i think it's great that the school is working hard to meet your son's needs. at the very least i'd give their recommendation a shot. and talk to them! i'm sure they'd be happy to explain their rationale behind their recommendation.
khairete
S.

Since he has an IEP they should be addressing these issues as part of that written plan. He needs breaks, an aid that is trained in special kids needs, that aid would be able to take him out of class and put him in a time away situation where he can calm down. The school should also supply this space. It could be an old office in the main office area, a closet they don't have chemicals stored in where they can bring in some pillows, stuffed animals, items he finds comforting, and with lights that are adjustable. This way he can take time out when needed and be supervised.

If you are considering the structured classroom please go and observe it several days randomly. That way you can see them in action in a variety of situations.

But one thing I will mention. He's going to think of this as punishment. He's going to feel bad about the move and he'll miss his friends terribly. If he isn't happy in his classroom otherwise it might be a good move for him.

I do not have a child that was in a "structured classroom" however, I used to work in a school district, in an ASD program for children 3-7 years old. If your son is struggling in his class, it may be beneficial for him to go into a structured room to work on coping skills, sensory, group work, getting support for his regular ed. class,etc. However, I agree with J.C.-some school districts, many have had to combine C.I., E.I. ASD etc. and depending on the room dynamics, it could be very beneficial or not. A couple of questions I would be asking, why aren't his needs being met in regular class (no plan/breaks, no classroom aide, son just has too many needs at this time?) and what is the plan and goals for your son going to be in the structured class and steps to get him back into regular class? The students I used to work with-going into regular ed. was a progression to be full time. Hang in there G.! I am hopeful this is the right setting for your son.

I don't think they are perplexed or saying they don't have the resources. I think they are saying it would be easier for them if he moved to another school. don't let them off the hook; if he had an aide in kindergarten, he should have one in 1st grade unless his IEP has changed. They are looking for the easy way out for them which is typical. The longer he's in school, the more you will see and believe that.